"GAY VENTURE"

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 October 1940, Page 12

"GAY VENTURE"

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT. COPYRIGHT.

By

T. C. BRIDGES.

CHAPTER IX. Eve looked up and met the direct gaze of Keith Hedley. For a moment their eyes locked, then he bowed slightly and passed on to his table. Eve felt sick with dismay. What must Keith think, seeing her here with Sagar? Now all chance of ever speaking to him again was lost and gone. “Yes, that is Captain Hedley Miss Lynd,” Eve heard Sagar say. “He was in the Dunoon so Miss Nisbet knows him. A fine fellow. I’m told he went into the sea after a man who fell overboard.” He turned to Eve. “I have apologised to you for my bad behaviour the other night, but not to Captain Hedley. If you will excuse me I will go and do so now.” Eve stared. She could hardly believe her ears. Yet he meant it. There was no doubt of that. She pulled herself together.

“Do,” she said, trying hard to keep her voice level, and Sagar rose at once. I Eve saw him stand by Keith’s table. She saw his lips moving, but strain her ears as she might, she could hear nothing. He went on talking smoothly, quietly and, to Eve’s amazed delight, she saw Keith’s expression change. The set look passed from his face, and she him glance in her direction and her heart beat violently. Then Keith spoke, and, if he was'not cordial, he was at least civil. Eve saw him introduce Sagar to his companion who was slim, curly-headed and looked about twenty. This Eve knew was Dicky Trask, Keith’s flying frierjd. The three chatted for a minute or two, then Sagar turned and came strolling back. “You seem to have pacified him,” Eve said lightly. “He was extraordinarily nice about it,” Sagar answered. “He and Mr. Trask are coming to have coffee with us in the lounge.” “That's splendid,” said Eve. She felt suddenly and amazingly cheerful. Keith and she were going to be friends again. Nothing else mattered. The reality was disappointing. Keith and she were going to be friends again. Nothing else mattered. The reality was disappointing. Keith was friendly, but it seemed to Eve that he had changed. He had put up a guard. The worst of it was that she had no chance of a word alone with him.

Eve had definitely made up her mind to eat humble pie. She got no opportunity of doing so. The five sat together over their coffee and liquers, and Dicky Trask did most of the talking. He was the cheeriest person bubbling with stories and laughter and Eve could not help liking him. “I’m looking after Zoe while Keith’s in town,” he told Eve. “I took them both by air, and Zoe simply loved it.” “Then Captain Hedley is staying in town for a while?” Eve asked. “For a few days anyhow, but he’s busy. He’s off ■to the East again in about three weeks.”

Eve gasped. She hoped Dicky hadn’t noticed, but he had. He had already seen that Keith was not happy, and the minute he first set eyes on Eve he had spotted the cause. He wondered what the trouble was and decided it was up -to him to try to put things right. He began cunningly. “Keith and I have been pals for years. He's been jolly good to Joyce and me. Joyce is the girl I’m engaged to,” he added confidentially. “I’d like you to meet her some time.” “I’d love to meet her,” Eve said. “What is she like?”

Dicky produced a snapshot of a girl with a srriall smiling face and the daintiest little figure. “There she is. What do you think of her. “Eve gazed at the picture. . “She is charming,” she answered, then sighed. Dicky heard the sigh. “Miss Nisbet, you’re worried, and I believe I know what’s worrying you.” He paused. “Shall I go on?” ‘Go on,” Eve said in a very low voice. Dicky continued. “I’ve been noticing that Keith isn’t himself. He hasn’t said anything, but I’ve seen him looking at you, and a man doesn’t look at a girl like that unless he’s jolly fond of her. Tell me, have you and he had a row —a quarrel?”

“We have,” Eve answered in a whisper. “And —and it was all by fault.” “I’ll bet it wasn’t,” said Dicky with a smile. “You probably said something and Keith got huffy.” “I did say something,” Eve agreed. “I —I told him I didn’t want to speak to him again.”

“And he took it for gospel,” Dicky chuckled. “Just like old Keith. He knows as much about girls as I know about star fish. I take it you two want five minutes together to straighten things out.” “You’re a wizard, Mr Trask,” Eve said.

“I’m an engaged man," Dicky answered. “And I like to see my friends as happy as I am.” Eve looked at him. “I think you’re a dear," she told him. Dicky laughed again. “You'll be making Keith jealous to say nothing of Joyce. But i’ll fix it. Have you a telephone?” Eve gave him the number and he noted it on his cuff. Then he looked at Keith.

“Time we were shifting, old man.” Keith got up. “You’re right, Dicky. Goodbye. Miss Lynd, goodbye, Mr. Sagar, and thanks for your hospitality.” He shook hands with Eve. “Goodbye,” he said, I hope you’re enjoying London.” “Everyone is very kind,” Eve said, but again she felt a stab of disappointment. Yet Dicky gave her fresh hope. “Trust me,” he whispered. “We’l better be moving, too,” Sagar said. “The car’s waiting.”

Sagar danced as well as he seemed to do most other things, but he did not monopolize Eve. He introduced other men. He also found partners for Miss Lynd.

“He does things wonderfully, doesn't he, Eve?" said Miss Lynd, as they

j drove home. And, do you know, he wants us to come and stay with him at Crofton.” “When does he want us to go?” Eve asked in sudden dismay. “Next Tuesday. Why, what’s the matter? Don’t you want to go?” “I’m enjoying London,” Eve said lamely. “But we shall be back. We shall only be there for ten days or so. We go from Paddington ” she gabbed on but Eve was not listening. Tuesday, and this was Friday. Would there be time for Dicky to redeem his promise? Rose brought tea at half past eight. ‘Did you enjoy it, Miss?” she asked eagerly. Before Eve could answer the telephone bell rang. “Drat it!” cried Rose. “Some of them tradesmen.” Eve spoke quickly. “It may be for me. If so, hold the line, Rose. ” Eve sprang out of bed and almost before she had her dressing gown on Rose was back. “Yes, it’s for you, Miss. A gentleman named Hedley.” Eve flew. “Yes!” It was all she could do to keep her voice steady as Keith’s voice came to her ear. “Eve speaking.” CHAPTER X. “Dicky’s been telling me,” Keith said. “Eve, is it true tnat you didn't mean what you said in the ship?” “A girl doesn’t always mean what she says, Keith —especially when she's cross. You ought to know that.” “I don’t. I never had the chance to learn.” Eve laughed softly. “I was a pig, Keith. I’m sorry.” “You’re a dear. Eve, when can I see you? Can I call? Eve hesitated. “I don’t think it would be much good. You see there’s only one sitting room, and Miss Lynd ” “Then I’ll tell you what,” Keith broke in, “I’ll ask you both to dinne” at my rooms. Dicky’s here and we’ll have Joyce and they’ll take her off our hands.”

“Fine!” said Eve. “Where are your i rooms?” 77 Walford Street. Just off Sloane Square. Half past seven. That do?” i “That will be splendid.” t “Then goodbye, my dear. I —l won’t 1 be such a fool again.” j Eve had finished her breakfast and i the morning paper before Miss Lynd appeared. Eve bade her a polite good I morning, and told her of Keith’s invita- . tion. “And you accepted, it!", Miss Lynd’s , voice was oddly sharp. “Why, of course. I thought you’d . enjoy it.” s “I hardly know Captain Hedley.” “You talked to him a lot last night. ; And I know him quite well. He’s very nice.” Miss Lynd frowned. “Please don’t accept any more invitations without first consulting me,” she said in an offended tone. “I’m sorry,” Eve said quietly but inwardly she was surprised and puzzled. Whatever Miss Lynd had said or thought that morning, she was amidble enough in the evening, and was ready in all her war paint soon after seven. She and Eve took a taxi to Walford Street and were met at the door by Keith. The look he gave Eve set her pulses throbbing. Upstairs they found Dicky Trask, another man whom Keith introduced as Major Mountford and a girl whom Eve recognised at once as Joyce. Joyce—her other name was Lovell —was even prettier than her picture. She was the most joyous little creature imaginable, and Eve and she took to one another at once. Keith got a word aside with Eve. “I asked Mountford so as to make |Up a bridge four. He’s as keen as Miss Lynd.” Eve’s eyes twinkled. “I didn’t expect you of such cunning, Keith,” she answered, and then Jan Prout, a stocky Devon man, who had been Keith’s batman in the Army, announced dinner. • Compared with the banquet of the ; previous night, this was a simple meal j but Eve had never enjoyed one more. . After they moved into the sitting room which had French windows opening on a balcony, and as the night was warm these were wide. Eve saw Miss Lynd’s eyes gleam at sight of a bridge table set out ready with cards and scoring blbcks. “Joyce and I are not experts,” Dicky explained, “but we’re quite keen. And Major Mountford is jolly good. Shall we cut for partners?” Keith waited until they were settled, then glanced at Eve. “Come and get a breath of air on the balcony,” he suggested casually. They stood together, looking down into the quiet street along which only an occasional can or taxi glided quietly. “At last,” Keith said softly. “Eve, I was an awful idiot.” “And I told Dicky it was I who was going to eat humble pie,” Eve answered with a little laugh. “Let’s call it square, Keith.” “That’s sweet of you. How jolly you look, Eve. That pale blue you’re wearing is just the right colour.” Eve laughed again. “For a man who knows nothing of women, you’re learning fast. But it is a nice frock. Miss Lynd gave it me." Keith glanced back at Miss Lynd, who was studying the cards she held in her bony hands. “I can’t imagine that woman a friend of your mother. Eve.” “I can’t either,” Eve admitted. “What’s more, I can't get her to talk about mother. But she’s very kind. She paid my passage, she lias refurnished my room, and she's given me quite a lot of clothes.” “She seems to be a pal of Sagar,” Keith said. “Eve, what do you make of that chap? Do you like him?” Eve considered a moment. “I can’t say I like him. But he’s been amazingly kind and considerate, and, after all. he's a sort of cousin." She looked at Keith. “You don’t like him?” "I bar the chap, but they may say I'm jealous.” (To be Continued).