Evening star., 1925-11-06
The Double Cross
By A. F. THOMAS.
Mystery Story of Dramatic Power.
by DoHd M-ad&
corrrisht. 1925. by DoGd Mead 4 Co.

again shall not let her go in a
hurry.
Waterman looked sharply at his
friend as he stood there holding his
Wife'S hand in his own slight Sus'
piCion crossed his mind that there
might he double meaning in this
speech but if So he could not tathom
il. Instead he filled his glass again.
Doris. on her part. was in nowiSe
reassured by StanleN's gayety. She
felt that it was spurious assumed tor
a definite purpose hut what that pur-
pose was she could not tell Again
the impulse for flight overwhelmed
her.
We'll" she said. forcing a smile,
there's only one Jim. All the same
"Yes?" smiled Stanley.
She sighed gently. Nothing, she
said. and went out.
Stanley turned hriskly TO Waterman.
"Ah. well now. here we are" he cried
cheerfully, drawing up his chair. An
other cigar, old man"
NO. thanks"
"A little more port
That's different"
Stanley filled his glass.
We'll. Rollin. this is charming.
CharminS. Next to being happy ones
self the best thing is TO see ones
friends happy. I'm delighted that
Your marriage has turned out so
awfullN Well.
Waterman's spirits rose Doris had
not given him away, he thought Too
proud-that was it, However. he had
a purpose of his own in view. He
needed help. He had always relied
upon Stanley for that. He could rely
upon him now. SO he said:
''Yes-not bad. ON the whole But of
course no marriage is absolutely
idyIliC But take it by and large. it
hasn't turned out badly.
Not fdylliC.' cried Stanley. why.
what's wrong"
"Oh. nothing serious. hut-oh well,
when the wife has most of the
All" cried Stanley. as if his point
Of view had suddenly broadened.
"Yes-devilish awkward at times
We'll. we'll" continued Stanley
genially. I'VE must find a way to set
YOU on your feet again BY the way.
what became of all the old Office staff?
other day. What happened to
Higgins"
'Oh. he landed on his feet. He's
with Lane and Adams"
"Good-ine chap. Higgins. And
that-what's her name? oh. yes, that
Morgan sirl?"
This was the last name that Water
man had wished to hear. He was
trifie startled, but ha did his best to
conceal il.
WHY. what about her." he asked.
shifting uneaSily in his chair.
"Oh. nothine-she just flashed into
my mind. Rather a vivid personality.
don't You think"
''YeS-yeS--
Il saw her the other day"
"Eh""
Yes
"Whera? How He could not eX-
cude an accent of alarm. hut Sta nley
ignored it
"Oh: on the avenue.
Did you speak with her."
'NO-Why?"
"Oh. ! just wondered
Waterman was making heavy
weather of it, \ child would have
seen it but Stanley appeared TO notice
nothing.
Driving downtown-just caught Il
fash OF her face in the crowd" he
continued. And by the way-do You
remember our last afternoon in the
Office toGether?'
Waterman remembered II acutely.
but he said vaguely, ''Why-er-yes,
| suppose So-yeS.
Il mean that fateful afternoon
when we tossed a coin to see who
should first propose to Doris"
''Oh, yes. yes" said Waterman. He
raised his arms over his head. stifled
a yawn, and said, by CAD, I'm getting
sleepy. sitting here in front of this
fire | think I'll turn in
oh my dear chap" cried Stanley.
mo. not yet. | have something most
interesting To show you-something
rather extraordinary.
Well" said Waterman n feebly.
IConrinued in Tomorrow's Starr