The evening world., 1921-02-26
CHAPTER V.


you. found her one dag
sobbing beside her window; II wa
just after you had left me. And then
I-you carried me on my feet. for
got varia, 1 forgot everythlngl Unit
that very last night and Varia beg
god me. begged me TO give you up
Mel came and that was the way out
1 took IT.
Nina sank back and turned her fac'
away 90 that he only saw the outline
OF her cheek. Her thick dark hall
outlined II against the chair.
my God, Nina, what do you tell
mo this now fort" he asked. We've
made a hash Of our lives and there's
varia to think Of
II shouldn't have told you'll was
carried away Nina took out hei
tiny handkerchief and wiped away
some invisible toars-a little trick she
had learned from seeing Ethel Barry
more.
but couldn't bear you to think
OF me that way, John" Nina rose
and wrapped her fur about her. II
suppose it's all because Mers in such
trouble"
Your husband7"
Nina nodded. 'Tve got 20 so Ia
He'll be able TO pay II back in a
month. Oh. John, you couldn't heip
me--Us-could your
How much would you needH" he
asked.
"oh--let me see--a thousand would
pull him through"
"L haven't that much with me. OF
| in my bank now
"Oh John, you darling. how like
your" Nina brushed her face against
his sleeve as though sne were black
kitten. Bring II to ne tomorrow
This Is my address. I shouldn't wani
varia TO know--lt would distress
Inert"
John Amory stood there with hi
hands In has pockets, looking dowr
OF the rug at his feet. With this
temptation OF Nina's face so near his
own, he could only look away Man
like, he knew that she would have
given him a kiss He had 20 hol,
himself back physically. and not un
IN he heard the door close softly
after her did he give free breath.
whats got into me-" he muttcred
| 'LlhL woman - but INuCn III w
tried to hate Nina, he saw her fac
with brown. long lashed eyes, ant
the way her red lips pouted as sh
talked.
How much OF what she had SAT-
was real, ne did not bother to asl
himself. The great, the potent ques
tion-how he was going to rid him
self OF the spell she cast over him
He tried to see Varia's sweet pal
face before his eyes, but II would no
materialize. But Nina, Nina, sh
would get between him and his worl
now; she would mock him at the Of
fice, and haunt him in his dreams.
rs anything the matter, John7 Tn
lorry was latew Varia had re
turned and she stood looking at hin
with those eyes that seemed to lool
into his heart
How would you like TO see show?
. he suggested.
J Varia consented eagerly.
CHAPTER VI
: Nina dressed herself with the ut
most care the next afternoon. Sh
had told John Amory to bring he
the money-and ne had never ye
failed her.
She put on the black gown tina
she had worn when he had first me
her. It was lovely thing with fiow
ing sleeves and long swinging girdli
OF gold. with a dash OF carmin
powder on her cheeks, her lips jus
Accentuated with red, she looked yer!
lovely
In a low chair by the window sh
sat waiting looking, almost with dis
gust, around the apartment she callet
"bome." They had taken the apart
ment furnished until she should flnt
something more suitable. Nina. wh,
was fa5tidious about herself. had le
IL grow dusty and disOrdered In tn
month they had lived there.
A yeHowing palm on a table,
hdeous lamp OF many colors, an'
furniture covered In However velvet
adorned the room in which she nov
sat.
then pushed them behind the blacl
marble clock That was one OF he
old tricks that John never had pa
tience withheld was different. Blu
stAl Mel didn't count.
A great many things had happened
to Nina in this month OF her mar
rage, and not the least OF these wa
certain fear OF her husband, a GER
tain Bcorn.
For the delicate illusion that Nigh
have been fostered by luxury an'
wealth had been thrust aside whel
she had found herself face to fac
with poverty. Her father had neve
liked Melville Rogers; he had beel
4 disgruntled over her elopement AM
Nina, who could wind all men abou
her white fingers, had found hin
adamant
] mot a penny" he had stormet
when she had acted one OF her prett
scenes for his beneht. "You marie
that fellow, now you stick TO him!"
, She remembered how Mel. waitin
for her on the sidewalk outside tn
house, had seen her sulky face an
read It's message right.
He could be sullen. And now h
chose TO be. His talk OF oil wells !
Texas melted away and Nina foun
herself making frequent calls at tn
pawnshop and getting along in hap
hazard way.
Sometimes almost fancy tina
you married me for my money!" NJ,
had said only last night and NinG
whose. temper was now none to
sweet, had answered:
And ] think that's why you mar
/ ried mel"