The Dolores star., 1924-04-25

the garment was clean and he was
freshly shaven.
/ The interior made a strong contrast
with the outside look of the place. II
was unpretentlously but ngreenbly FUR
nlshed. and It was Immediately pent.
There was wide fireplace fanked
with settees, where the fat man said
they could have fire whenever they
wanted it. He'd have lunch ready
He took childlike pleasure In Vio-
let's approval of the place. which she
warmly expressed.
Willingly, he set about to refurrish
the veranda, carrying out, with Joe's
help, n small rattan davenport. two
or three chairs, cushions md striped
cotton blankets, gay-colored.
IT'S perfect. Joe" Violet said. Il
suppose he thinks we're couple Of
honeymooners."
Joe leaned against the rail, devour-
Ing her with burning eyes. She had
tucked herself up in II corner OF the
davenport, taken of her hat. and
dropped 1t. negligently. on the floor
beside her.
"You look the part" he said.
you don't" she retorted, returning
his gaze. You look horribly tired
and Ill. Oh. don't sit away OF there.
Come here where can feel you. Walt.
though. It's horrid to have to do 1t,
but look up the train first, Joe. See
how long we're going to have. I've
absolutely got to be back In the Penn
sylvania station little before six"
He consulted time-card that he
had in his pocket. THAT means leay-
Ing at four-flfteen, to be sure Of It,"
Her eyes filed up with tears. And
It's nearly noon now," she cried. -Four
hours-and l thought it was whole
day."
well, never mind. We won't waste
any Of It."
He had dropped down on the sofa
beside her. but she wasn't content
with the way he at. you're SO
tired" she protested $50 deadly tired.
Can't You just be happy, and relax
for little while. Lean down on me.
y
not half as heavy as | thought you'd
be Joe. is 1t all my fault you're
like this?"
IT'S not your fault at al" he told
her. And 1t isn't all your doing
either. I've had terrible two weeks
and there are more OF them In sight
But I'm through the worst Of it. I
guess. I'll come out right side Up in
the end, anyhow. 1t Isn't the first
fight I've had, by good many"
She said dryly, I'D like to see John
got the better OF for once. Don't you
let him beat you, Joe. I'd always
think 1t was my fault"
John williamson" he asked slow
ly. Don't worry about him. He
hasn't got me yet"
She wanted to know, over n little
laugh. what John he thought she
meant. II believe you're going to
sleep" she added. You're 30 tired.
Don't try to talk. Keep STILL like this.
Isn't 1t ridiculous7 I'm the one that's
supposed to be sick. I'm packed Off to
Doctor Brown. He's got a place out
here on Long Island for nervous
wrecks, where he treats good-for-noth-
ing women like me. A mixture of
Freud and Christian Science he giye3
us. 1t works pretty well, too. I've
been to him once or twice for insom-
mia Well, l had 1t all right after
l got that letter of yours, joe"
Despite her effort to hold him where
he was, he sat erect. you must have
hated me for that" he said.
SILLY; adored you for it-but 1t
frightened me out Of my five wits. 1t
was wild to take chance like that,
Joe. But I'm glad you did 1t once.
/ never knew what 1t was before.
felt as II had to go to you then.
without waiting a minute. And of
course 1t got worse during the week.
as | found out what John and the
others were doing to you. I was
afraid If John tried to talk to me about
1t I'd blow up and give everything
away; so l didn't dare talk to him at
all. Locked myself up, and had
nervous breakdown. 1t seemed pretty
real at the time-even to me. But 1
was all right again as soon as he sug-
gested Doctor Brown. I had to be,
or he would have insisted on sending
somebody down with me. He suggest
ed Margaret Craven, as 1t was. 1
promised to stay with Alice Went
worth instead of going to hotel, and
l told him I'd telegraph her what train
to meet me at. l did-but 1t wasn't
the one was on. And that's how I
got our day 1t isn't much, Ia IL.
Tor all thnt? Four hours-and already
they're slipping away"
They're enough. though, II we don't
waste them No. you've got me about
half hypH,s.1sd now. l haven't any
grip on my mind when you hold me
Ike that We've got to talk this thing
through somehow; find out where we
are. and what we're going to do"
She drew long sigh. Whats the
use OF spelling this, Joe? That's nil
H1Nl d Il