Evening star., 1923-03-27

would. 1t took a weight from me
! that has been bearing me down 10
! earth-for days. But 1 didn't want
you to offer me the kind OF help you
| did,
why not? I hoped you were CIV
ing me the right to offer It,"
| To his great relief she stra1ghtehea
now and wiped her eyes. smiling AT
him with her old frankness.
| Good, old Rameses" she SAID, as
If l didn't know that you were Iyins
about your princely salary! Why
you're as poor as ! am
He was -~discomfited for moment
and looked away from her.
| You mean that you won't accept
my offer?" he muttered.
Il can't, Rameses-not the money.
! Not the money" She thrust out
her hands to him with generous
motion of appeal. Don't ask ~ U.
when l should be able to pay II BACK
! to you"
"'ha: needn't matter"
| 1T does matter" She gave me-, hea
eyes final dab and turned TO nun mn.
| again with a smile. But III take
the house--rent it. I hope we snail
be able to manage that. We've got
to manage it somehow. Ana the
sooner wa move the better.
IN make arrangements at once.
gether-with the same air or de,
cision with which she compressed
her lips in resolution.
"There'll be a terrible fuss. but
I'm equal to it now. Bob Will storm
! "a dry laugh. We may have to take
| Muzzy away in the ambulance. But
she'll have to go in the end. My
mind is made up. Oh. Rameses" she
gasped. IF you knew the. JOY of
Anv
! cision. If you knew how vague and
uncertain everything has been! And
| pow-though the future isn't very
| clear-it's something to take the first
step and know that it's the right
one"
I'VE must plan for the future" he
You'll let me help, won't you?"
"Of course" She thrust out her
hands again and he took them both
in his You've done such a lot al
| ready. You see. l can't get along
without you"
Her eyes were heavy with fatigue
and there was pathetic droop at
she seemed very childlike in her de-
pendence upon him. She seemed 80
much to need the solace OF a caress.
1t would have been the most natural
thing in tho world for him to have
taken her in his arms and given
her some of his own strength. But
he only pressed her hands in his.
Their eyes met for a long moment,
the frankness- Of hers blending
slowly into soberness under his gaze
| and turning at last to the clock upon
| the mantel. which marked the hour
of one.
"I must go at once" she muttered.
He picked UP his hat and coat.
I'll go with you" he said.
do you think that's wise? You'd
hot I'm OF
"ImpossibIe: I'm going TO take
you home"
She stood for a moment at the
mirror, adjusting her hat
Il know I've done foolish thing.
and then with a careless shrug as
she turned toward him. but I don't
suppose it matters much, now"
II don't agree with you." he's NUT
tered savagely as he reached for the
knob. And then. in a lowered tone.
THE elevator runs all night. but
we'll go down the stairs. Wait
moment-
He went out into the silent cor
ridor and at his signal she followed
quietly If she found some excite
ment in the venture Sangree did not
share it. He merely glared angrily
down the silent Railways as they
Uassed the landings. On the third
floor a head poked out of an open
door whence came the sound OF male
voices. and they both heard a COM
ment made. the sound of an exclama-
ton, followed by suppressed laugh
ter.
Cherry was staggering softly, but
Sangree caught her elbow and hur-
ried down the stairs.
Damn them he muttered.
On the ground floor the elevator
he Strengthened as they passed him
and down the front steps into the
street. Sangree felt the creatures
gaze boring into his spine.
But he gave gasp as they reached
the friendly darkness. They walked
Good Lord" she gasped, with
sudden accent Of contrition as the
vehicle spun upon tts way. Il never
once thought OF your reputation"
He laughed easily.
II should have. Rameses. Will you
forgive me? I didn't think-'
Nonsense.
Who were the people on the third
foor?"
~ don't know. But why the devil
they couldn't have kept the door
He grinned comfortably at her in
ths darkness.
But it doesn't matter in the least
since no one could possibly have
recognized you"
Poor Mr.. Sangree" she said. IF
they call you a Don juan
They may. But the idea is rather
absurd. Isn't it?"
II don't think 1 like it. Rameses,"
she finished soberly.
At the house on 18th street he saw
her to the door and, after exacting
a promise that she would visit the
house uptown with him in a few
days, he dismissed the taxi and
walked down town alone.
To He Continued Tomorrow,
IInnrN RIFIAI nnAInrnHp