THE MONEY SENSE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18972, 20 January 1930, Page 16

THE MONEY SENSE.

“ STAR'S ” NEW SERIAL STORY.

CHAPTER VIII.— (Continued). “Tony, how much have you spent today?” she asked gravely. Tony did not answer, but began to chuckle to himself. “My darling, why be so serious about it.? Money was made to be spent. It’s the only use I have for it. Indeed, 1 never give a thought to pounds, shillings and pence, unless I'm overdrawn at the bank. Honestly, money means nothing at all to me. I’m none the happier, with a big balance at the bank. On the contrary, I’m generally worried until I’ve reduced the balance to nothing,’’ he said, as he brushed the hair back from her forehead. “Dear one, I shall never be able to think as you do. I hope I’m not mean, but money does mean something to me. I fear that I shall worry, if we are going to live from, hand to mouth. How much have we spent, dearest?” she asked appealingly. Tony produced his cheque-book, and examined the counterfoil. “The dresses and hats came to a little over a hundred pounds—and jolly cheap at the price,” he added, with a touch of defiance. “And the bill for the luncheons?” she persisted. “About a thousand francs,” he answered airily. “Oh! dear, vour little capital will soon vanish, at that rate,” she cried ruefully. “You won’t want any more clothes for ages and ages. Don't pucker your brow 7 , dearest —I’ll work like the very devil, when we’re back in the studio, and make heaps and heaps. Sir Claude will be able to do us a bit of good. I’m not concerned about the future.” “Promise me, that you won’t spend more than is necessary. I expect this suite will be most frightfully expensive. Please find out what it costs. Perhaps, we ought to move to some cheaper place, away from the Princess. She. is both kind and charming, but we can't afford to keep up with the sort of life she leads. Tony, dear, I hate to talk in this way, but it’s for your sake—you believe that ? ” she wound up earnestly. “You are paying too much attention to what Mrs Preston said about me.” “No. I'm following the evidence of my own eyes.” His arxns went around her, and he kissed her passionately. “Darling, you are God's most beautiful creation. It’s wonderful to know that you will always be with me, and that I can feast my eyes on your beauty,” he whispered. “Do you only care for my features and my body? The Princess is more beautiful than I am,” she said, and her eyes were anxious. . “I love you for your dear self, but your loveliness is very precious.” “Which would you prefer to paint, me or the Princess?” she said with gentle persistence. “You a thousand times,” he cried, and then hesitated, for he was innately truthful. “ But I do want to paint the Princess. Her type is rare, and she's the finest specimen of it I’ve ever seen. I do hope you will like her, Nan. I’m very anxious that we shall be friends.” “ I like what I’ve seen of her, but it's rather difficult for tis to make real friends of one in her position. I am as proud as you, and shouldn’t care to be beholden to her for anything.” “ You are making money your value. With people that matter, money does not weigh a jot. I wish you would get that fact into your pretty head. I choose as my friends those who care for what one is, and not for what one has,” he said vigorously. “Oh, dear! I can’t argue with you, but I fear you’ll have a very rude awakening. Now, I’ve had my say, and you won’t hear any more from me, or you will begin to think, that you've married a grousing wife,” she wound up merrily, and,, placing her arms around him, drew him to her, kissing him very 7 tenderly. When the maid came in, she peered at them, sleeping peacefully, and a smile came to her face, for it was a sight that delighted the eyes, that had been rendered cynical by years of service in a Paris hotel. “ But they are charming, and J hate to disturb them,” she muttered to herself. \ A little sound awakened Tony, arid he jumped up, calling to Ann that it was time to dress, or they 7 would be late for dinner. He hurried to the bathroom, and when he returned to put the finishing touch to his white tie, a vision of loveliness faced, him shyly. “Shall I do?” she asked nervously 7 . “ 1 want to kiss you, but I daren’t.” “Is there enough of it? I have , never worn anything quite so daring.” “ Both are perfect—you and the gown. I can’t take my eyes off you. I must do a portrait, just as you are. Ann, you are simply gorgeous,” he exclaimed. with whole-hearted admiration. The least vain of women is eager to listen to such praise from the man she loves, as a vivid blush came to Ann’s cheeks. She had always known that she was good-looking, but had never realised that she possessed a beauty that was rare and compelling. Now, she valued it for Tony’s sake, and determined to do everything in her power to enhance it. “ You will make me vain,” she protested shy 7 l\ 7 , but he only* laughed.

He helped her to put on the elabor- : ate evening cloak, with its soft fur j around the neck, and a laugh of sheer delight escaped him. “ Don't talk to me ab-out beastly j money. Took at yourself in the mirror, j Isn't that worth all the money in the Bank of France?” he cried triumphantly. “ A good number of the notes of the bank paid for the setting,” she answered demurely. But she was gloriously happy when they joined the Princess in her suite, and she showed herself for a critical inspection. Fir Claude was there, and he placed his glass in his eye, and drew in a deep breath of artistic admiration. “ Langford, you and I will be greatly 7 envied to-night. It is as well that the day's of duelling have passed,” he re- < marked lightly 7. “It couldn’t possibly be better,” pro-, nouneed the Princess, with the judgment of the expert, and drew 7 Ann along to a mirror, in which she regarded their joint reflections. “We are perfect foils—if I were a y 7 ear or two younger,” she added under her breath. “ You are as young as I am,” Ann said with a laugh. “ I don’t look much older, but I’ve brought a little art to my assistance. Still, I’m content,” said the Princess, and led the way from the room, her hand slipped under Ann’s arm. “ A wonderful woman, the Princess.” Sir Claude remarked to Tony, as they followed. “ Not one woman in a thousand would have risked comparison with your wife to-night. Yet she holds her own completely 7. Perhaps it’s because they 7 belong to such different types,” he wound up reflectively 7 . “ You are right. One would never think of age with the Princess. Sir Claude, I must paint her portrait. Perhaps, with my 7 wife ?” “ It wouldn’t be advisable to make that suggestion. There are limits to the Princess’s generosity 7 .” Sir Claude remarked dryly, but smiled at the perplexed look that came to Tony's face. “ You are very young, and it’s only 7 natural that you should xiot understand. If you are going to continue your friendship—if you are going to paint the portrait of the Princess —it will be as well if you and I have a little friendly chat. I may be able to save you from much trouble.” There was no time to say any more, for they 7 had reached the car, and they joined the ladies inside. Sir Claude had chosen the latest and most fashionable dancing club for their desti»ation, and he was evidently well known, for they were received with great deference and conducted to a table in a most favourable position, both for seeing and being seen. Their host pointed out the many well-known people who were present, while the Princess was busily returning the many salutations that greeted her. Suddenly she rose, telling Tony that she wished to dance, and he joined her immediately. “ I don’t dance, so I’m afraid you will have to share your husband with , the Princess,” explained Sir Claude. “I'm not mad on dancing. Besides I'm so fascinated w 7 ith all the interest-j ing people that are here. How gracefully 7 the Princess dances!” she .said abmptly 7 . and her eyes were following the couple with strained interest. “Yes. She’s very 7 keen, and your husband’s step seems to suit hers. It’s a relief to have someone who can dance with her. My dear child, may 7 I say that I’m very 7 glad we met you in the train. Perhaps, you don’t agree with me.” he added, when she remained silent. “I’m so sorry 7 . I didn’t mean to be rude. I was thinking. Of course it’s splendid, for Tony to know you—*and the Princess, but is it right for us to become intimate with you ? Perhaps, I express myself badly 7 , but I think you understand what 1 mean. We are quite poor, and unknown, while you are rich and famous. Tony is too natural a man to think of these things, and I’m wondering if I’m a bit of a snob,” she said with a laugh. “I do understand what you wish to convey 7 , but I’m sure that neither of you will suffer any harm, either from the Princess or myself. An artist must mix with all sorts of people, and flhe Princess will be a lil>eral education to you both,” he remarked with a touch of dryness. Yet he liked her for her candour, and wondered if he had been quite honest in what he had said. If is ey*es rested on the dancers, and he saw that the Princess was more than pleased with her partner. There was an expression in her eyes that he knew of old, and he felt a little uncomfortable until the pair approached them, and Tony looked at Ann. releasing his partner without a word and coming back to the table. “That was a very long dance, Princess —but I enjoyed it thoroughly,” he added hastily, realising that his remark might bear an uncomplimentary construction. “Thank vou—for nothing,” the Princess said, with a laugh that was quite without mirth. “I’m afraid I’ve been boring your wife.” "Sir Claude remarked politely, hut his eyes smiled mischievously for he was gloating over the unconsciously 7 given rebuff that the Princess had received. (To be continued.)

of Customs to bring the position before him. The chairman and Messrs Pope, F. Tapley, W. Buckton, IT. Hall. F. King, and IT. Firman, with power to add to their number, were appointed the committee. URBAN FARM LANDS. Mr Pope said that something should be done by the association in conjunction with other organisations in respect to the Urban Farmlands Rating Bill. He moved that a committee should be appointed to act -with other organisations in forming a deputation to the Minister of Internal Affairs, urg ing him to introduce the Bill again, with an amendment to cover county councils, road boards and persons with less than three acres. The motion was carried, and the chairman and Messrs Pope, Firman and A Johnston were appointed to the committee THE RAILWAYS. Mr F. Adams said that during the Christmas season, fruit was very well handled by 7 the railways. In that respect, it was the best season the growers had had. The chairman said that growers were treated very courteously, but he objected to having to go to the Railway Department every Christmas. It cap in hand. The department should make the arrangements. A motion was passed thanking the traffic manager and his staff for their courtesy*.