Evening star., 1927-11-21
By Frank L. Packard
Copyright Geo. ~ Doran Go

Yes" she answered. Dora was
sure you wouldn't come tonight be-
cause il was so late. and on account
Of it's being low tide; hut was equally
sure Won would
"Of course. would" said Capt.
Francis Newcnmbe glih!y. "And I'm
here. Were just in. | was afraid II
was hop Iessy late. but didn't want
to disappoint YOU in case you might
still he clnginG TO what must have
seemed a forlOrn hops. and 81 | came
ashore on the chance"
"Guardy." she said delightedly.
you're the only guardy in the world!
But what happened? You were to
have left ;he mainland today. and it's
only five hours across.
You'll have to ask Locke" he
smiled. THAT is. IS to details-when
he's in n better humor. In general
way. however. the engine broke down
We've been since | o'clock this after
noon getting over"
"Oh. she exclaimed. What per
fectly wretched LUCK. And there's
Mr.. Locke now? And-no-first. yon
must tell me abo It mother. Is she
changed any? Is she we'll. and quite.
quite happy? And dc she like her
home? Is it pretty? And how
Good heavens. Polly" expostulated
Capt. rancis Newcombe with as.
sumed helplessness What "A volley.'
codly, iudicially. To preface his visit
with the announcement of Mrs.
Wickes' untimely-or was 1t timely?
end would create an atmosphere that
would not at all harmunize with his
plans. Polly in mourning and retire
ment, Locke Impossible! Nor did It
suit him to explain that Mrs. Wickes
was not h mother He wa not yet
sure Wen that particular piece OF in.
formation might hest be used to ad.
vantage. And so Capt. Francis New
combe laughed disengagingly. IT can't
possibl. answer all these questions to-
night--we'd be here until daylight.
The mothers quite all right, Polly
quite all right. You can pump me dry
tomorrow"
"Oh. I'm so gIad--and so happy!'
she cried. She clapped her hands to.
gether "All right. tomorrow! Wen
talk all day long. w =" then. about
Mr.. Locke-where is he? And how did
you come to make such a trip? You
know, you just wrote that you were
coming down from New York on his
yacht. Who is he? Tell me about
him"
Locke! Damn 1t. the girl was IN
credibly beautiful-the CURE of a
young goddess What hair! Those
| lips, Fool, What was the matter with
him? Polly was only tool to he used;
not to turn his head just because she
had proved to be bit of feminine
wonder. Fool, The downfall of every
outstanding figure in his profession
| had been traceable to woman. 1t
was police axiom. 1t did not apply
! to Shadow Varne, A girl-bah-the
world was full of them! And yet
His hand at his sid. clenched, while
his lips smiled.
That's something else for tomor-
row." he said. you'll meet him then,
and"-what was it he had said to him
self little while ago about slight OBJ.
II hope you'll like him. though I've an
| idea that perhaps you won't"
why won't II" demanded Polly
| instantly.
"Well, don't know-upor my word,
I don't" said Capt. Francis Newcombe
with a quizzical grin. "He certainly
isn't strikingly handsome: a. I've an
idea he's anything but ladies' man
though not altogether a bad sort In
spite of that. you know"
"Oh." said Polly Wickes. with
thing. well. who is he. then-and
where did you meet him."
II met hir.l at the club In London
and we chummed up on til way over.
It's quite simple. He was off for
holiday with no choice as to where he
went, whereas wanted to come here
so we came down in his motor cruiser.
AS to who he is, he's Just young How.
ard Locke, the son of Howard Locke.
sr., the American financier."
"Oh" said Polly Wickes again.
What a ravishing little .,out! Where
had the girl learned that trick? Was
it trick? Those eyes were wonder
fully frank. steady. ingenuous-won
derfully deep and self-reliant. He
wondere If he looked old In those
eyes? Young Locke! Fool again!
Go on, tempt the gods! Ask her If
SO fell within her own category OF
youth, Or
Don't make a sound!' she eau
toned suddenly. Quick! Here"
He found himself, obedient to the
pressure on his arm. standing back
within the shadows of the tree.arched
road.
"What is it. Polly?" he asked in
Look she whispered. and pointed
| out across the lawn.
CONTINUED in Tomorrow's Star)