Evening star., 1925-10-13
CHAPTER III.

| STOOD DehlnQ MIN ana ne had not hearC
her enter. 1t was one Of her accomplish
ments. this swift and silent apparl-
ton. She was not stealthy-she was
simply silent. She could move from
one place to another, from one room,
10 another, from one chair to another.
with all the concentrated case and
silence of O cat.
Il wish you wouldn't do that" com.
planned Waterman with a frown.
''Do what?'
"You know what / mean. Make a
little human noise now and then when
you come into a room where you're
not expected-rattle the door knob
clear your Understanding. Don't
| jump down a fellows back
Nina fixed her black eyes upon him.
Charactertistically she ignored the ir.
relevant. Again she said: "Rolly, do
you mean ft?"
MEAN what?"
Don't stall. I happen to have
heard every word you two have been
SAYING
Now this announcement was a
shock to Waterman, but he only said
"Eavesdropnng. eh?"
"a thing you would never do-
teered the girl. You're much too
honorable for that-yes, yes. Certain.
lv I was eavesdropping, and good
thing for me / was"
Waterman considered briefly. Was
the girl blufflng? Had she really heard
all that he and Stanley had said or
to temporize:
We'll, what about it?'
"Dou you mean tt?" she demanded
once more.
Waterman's hand was not to be
forced.
do I mean what?" he said.
That you're going to ask Miss
Colby to marry your"
Waterman blew tho ash from his
cigarette.
What IL I ann" he said.
The girls mouth frightened, her face
hardened. her black eyes flashed.
Just this" she said. You can't do
that kind Of thing to me-"
"No?"
NO. Mr.. Rollin Waterman, not
after all that's passed between us
no."
"Why," he said. what could you
do about it," Though he spoke with
a jeer; he was far from comfortable,
for he knew we'll enough that she
could. and would. do something about
it. Wherefore his remark was not SO
much a gibe as a genuine request for
information. Information was prompt
ly forthcoming.
"I1l tell you what can do about
it. Do you suppose a girl like Doris
Colby would have any use for you IL
she knew the truth about me?"
so that's TT"
That's exactly it,"
"Do You mean that you will tell
her?'
That's just what mean. You Will
promise me here and now to give up
all attempts to marry her. or I'll 80
to her and tell her the precise truth
about you and mo-"
Him." said Waterman. "Blackmail,
eh?"
II shouldn't call 1t that"
Perhaps not, but anybody else
would"
Look here. Rolly." she retorted,
''all ask is that you shall make good
your promises to me. You can't do
that and marry Doris Colby or any
other woman. II you don't make good,
I must protect myself in the only way
I can. If you call that blackmail,
don't. Anyhow. that's what mean
to do"
And you think she will take your
word against mine?"
I'm sure Of IT.
There was conviction in her voice,
but he only answered: TRY it,
The girl sat down and crossed her
knees comfortably. She contemplated
the tip OF a patent leather shoe re-.
hectively before she continued:
Your memory isn't very good, is Il.
Rolly dear?"
"How's that?" he said.
Its true" she went on. ''yeu have
written me no letters lately but at
first you were not 50 cautious"
And you have kept them? You de-
signing little brute" =.
Yes" she murmured. Disgusting.
isn't it? Such bad taste. How 1t must
offend such a fastidious soul as yours.
I'm almost ashamed to confess it, for
it shows what q sentimental boob I've
been. But the truth Is that I kept
them because they were from . man
1 loved"
Nina" he said gently. and took 4