1939-07-14 — Page 9

CHINA MAIL

FRIDAY SUPPLEMENT, JULY 14, 1939

Mxcited. She had arrived

YRA Fane, film star, was CG

back in London from Holly- wood barely an hour ago, smile of happy anticipation and mischief, mingled with a faint anxiety, played over her lovely face.

"Is that Temple Bar double- Сап nine-three-double-nine?. I speak to Mr. Sheard, please? No, I would rather not give my name, but it's a personal and private call."

She had to wait some minutes, and glanced impatiently around the sitting-room of her suite.

"Yes? Who's that?" "Hulloa, John. believe in love at first sight?”

"Good Lord, Myra! What- what are you doing here?"

Do you still

"Now is that polite?" she pro- tested mockingly.

"Sorry. So unexpected, after all these years. How are you?" "Very well, thanks. I want to consult you on a legal matter.”.

"Um, I see. The proper pro- cedure is to go to a solicitor, and if you're not satisfied he'll get. you counsel's opinion.”

"I think this counsel is being a bit fearsome and unfriendly."

"Couldn't I discuss it with you, direct, John? I thought you might come up for a cocktail be fore dinner. Please, do. It'll

Short Story

be nice seeing you again. Un- less you want to avoid a meet- ing ?"

After a brief pause he replied equably.

"No, I wouldn't say that. Where are you staying?""

"At the Carlchester.”

"Will six to a quarter past suit you?"

"Splendid."

She hung up the receiver, leant back on the settee, and put- her hands to her flushed cheeks.

Eight years since their part- ing. Not an abyss of time, but what change of circumstances. Had John been glad to hear her? No doubt, a shock. Yet he had remained very calm. Was he still angry? Or become indif- ferent?

She wondered whether he had altered much in appearance and outlook. For the innumerable hundredth time she recalled the former days. Their romance bad been so tender but ill-star- red.

She had been twenty two ́and he twenty six. She, an under- study, and crowd-work actress; he, a freshly called barrister-at- law. They met by chance, fe!}^ in love at first sight, and for six weeks existed only in their lyric dream." Reality harshly inter- rupted it.

John's parents had learned of the affair. They did not

him having his fin

that he must; bu

retort that het

her was ill

minated choice bet no further

He had money, him

"AT FIRST SIGHT"

to hunt for a job. To try and practise after leaving Chambers would be hopeless. There was another predicament, too.

Loyalty to people he cared for and to whom he owed things was with John a root principle. He loved Myra and would obviously not be disloyal to her. But he knew his parents were acting. for what they considered his good. They were wrong, but he would hate them to think he was un- grateful and letting them down.

He hoped he might yet per- suade them to make concession. Nevertheless, they remained adamant, refusing even to let him introduce her. His father was cool and paternal; his mo- ther threw in steady though not unkindly remonstrances.

The play in which Myra was acting was ending its run. They met on an evening during its last week. When she suddenly taunt- ed him with weakness, and in- capacity he was too taken aback for remoter considerations.

"Loyalty! That seems your Frankly, keyword and excuse. John, I'm tired of it and this I've rhapsody-in-a-slum idea. had an offer, decent prospects."

By Charles Kessler

"Prospects?" he repeated in- credulously.

"I'm sorry, because I'm fond of you. But you've failed with the purse-strings, the mainstay of life. You should be grateful. It'll save you being disloyal to anyone. I care less about fine points. Thoughts of disloyalty to you won't haunt my sleep at nights."

"Myra, if you're serious

"I've got some shreds of sense, thank goodness. Order me a drink, take me home, kiss me good night, and the account's Bettled."

She had not seen him again. A miserable tour in the provinces, failure in London, the offer of a walking-on part in New York, a film test, minor, successes, and then a rapid but hard rise to wealth and fame followed.

She travelled far during those years, but the memory of John was not left behind. Now she had come home. In the joy of it she almost forgot former suffer- ing.

But this uncertainty regard- ing John made her tense and nervous, She had looked for- ward to this day so much as to ignore the obstacle of past events. With his coolness its patent presence leapt within her view?

hurriedly from the

Eto

Bho

Her

enough never to ask how you are. Will you forgive me?”

He looked older than she ex- pected, more mature and au- thoritative.

"I'd never be as uncharitable as not to."..

"And the second proviso about forgetting?"

"Ah, that's always the harder nut, isn't it?” ·

She handed him a cocktail. He sipped it reflectively, gazing at the carpet. She studied him a few moments before saying quietly.

"I shall be in England three or four months. They want me to do a colour film. If possible, I'd like us to be friends again. I apologise for what happened formerly, I..."

it.

"Never mind. I got over. I suppose we all do. I must have seemed a very young fool to you--I'm glad you've made a success,"

“Have you?”

"I can't complain."-I'm doing tolerably well."

She asked still more quietly. "Are you married?" "No, engaged. You?" "Neither. Not even divorced.”** There was silence again, Myra struggled with her thoughts and attempted deci- sions.

"I'd like to meet your fiancee." He frowned slightly.

"I confess, I can't see any par- ticular point.

"In other words, you want to be friends?” "I don't say that "You mean it. Else the objection ?"

don't.

what's

"What's your purpose?" "Polite curiosity, as regards the girl. For yourself, I've told you. We still like each other. As sop- histicated, sensible people we should be able to get on together pleasantly."

He scrutinised her. Her masked expression, however, did not quail under his cross-examining stare. A slight shrug admitted. the contest to be hers.

He smiled for the first time, somewhat ironically.

"What was the legal matter on which you wanted me to advise you?"

She laughed lightly, concealing her relief and delight.

"Oh, it'd be nice if you glance through the contract before I sign it. There's more serious busi- ness, though. To-morrow night is the premiere of my new film at the Rivoli. Could you and what is her name?"

"Jenny."

"Could you and Jenny dinner with me? We'll go the show afterwards. Natu I'll find a fourth."

The latter proved to be Andre Raymond, the clever, director. He was young, and handsome enough to -be leading man himself,

As soon as introductions were over, John remarked 25 50

"I'm terribly

Myra, and

hope you'll excuse me, but

I simply can't acco

the show.

Where ha

leader, Sir Hubert Jenkins, has fallen ill. I've got to take over. I only got the news late this afternoon, and I'll have to work on the papers, prepare the open- ing speech and questions to-night Probably until the early hours?" "How disappointing. But Jenny is coming with ns, of course aren't you?"

"Thank you, I'd love to. It's lucky I'm flying to Paris to-mor- row. Once John becomes im- mersed, he's wholly bearish till all's past."

She smiled at him good-natur- edly, and the others laughed. She was about twenty five and piquantly attractive.

Myra tested the truth of her comment when she went into court. next day. As it rose for luncheon, John brushed by her almost without recognition, Then he gave a faint, emotionless nöd,

:

The sittings continued another three days. The last afternoon was devoted to "John's 'final speech. That of opposing counsel and the judge's summing-up were adjourned for next day..

Myra caught John's arm as he was leaving.

"Magnificent, my dear. But you Are look dreadfully exhausted. you going straight to bed?"

"Not before eight

half past," he smiled. "But the way, congratulations on the film.".

or

"Thanks. So you've actually, seen a paper other than a legal document? I suppose you can't come and have tea?"

***Fraid not; got to talk with the solicitors still. I'd ask you to celebrate or groan with me to- morrow night, but I must stay at home. 'Phone call from the North,"

“What a shame. Moreover, if you asked me you'd run the risk of being compromised, wouldn't you," she teased.

Tired and off his guard, he laughed.

"Surely your risk; not mine?” “All right, Expect me at seven o'clock"

He started, his eyes flashing oddly. Before he could reply a clerk came to him with some question. Myra discreetly slipped

away.

(Continued on Page 7)

I MEAN ITI I WANT THE BABY POWDER THAT FIGHTS GERMS

MENNEN