Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-10
w E d. &C X E. ID
BY HAZEL DEyO BACHELOR.
Copyright. 1927

said-I don't know. / got the impress
sion somewhere"
Alicia was seated in a chair that
had its back to the window. Nan sat
opposite. The late afternoon sun
streamed in full upon her. Showing up
every tired line in her pale little face.
1t showed also the expression that
flashed across it at Alicia's reference
TO Martin. But Alicia, seated in the
shadows, could smile maliciously and
not be seen.
Yes, this child was pretty, very
pretty. in a way, Alicia's brain was
humming, as her cornf1ower-blue eyes,
cold now, scrutinized Mans face. But
what was she, after all, but pretty
child? No wonder Martin wasn't happy
with her. no wonder she wasn't happy
with him. Not that Mans side of it
bothered Alicia particularly. She was
interested only in Martin's-and her
own. She wanted him now, where she
hadn't wanted him in the past.
Sometimes when she thought it over,
she wondered at herself. She had
laughed at herself in the mirror any
number of times. but her own vivid
ness laughing back at her had reas-
sured her.
Divorce was nothing in these days.
Everything could be arranged quietly
and a certain amount could be settled
on Nan. At least that was the way
Alicia thought of it. Nan wasn't to
be considered aside from the monetary
return that she would receive from
Martin. Why should she be considered
if she hadn't made Martin happy?
Alicia intended to devote her life TO
doing that.
While Bessie was arranging the tea
things Alicia stole covetous looks
about the room. Woman-like she pic
tured the Encouragement of this thing
and that. Those boOkshelves were
charming and rather unusual.
Over her tea she commented on
them TO Nan.
I'm sure an interior decorator
didn't give the room that touch.'
Nan smiled.
mo. that was my idea. These apart.
ments are all so cold and thought the
bookshelves would make the room
more intimate"
In the shadows. Alicia's eyebrows
went up Fancy this child actually
having an idea of her own? She could
hardly believe it possible.
She crumbled a tea cake and won
dered what time Martin would be
home. She longed to stay until his
return because she thought it would
appeal to him. seeing her here like
this. Besides. she wanted to see them
together again. Not that she wasn't
sure that they were both miserably
unhappy, but something -blooded
in Alicia wanted to revel in it.
The small talk tagged and Bessie
came in to light the lamps and remove
the tea things. outside the dusk was
falling. Something told Nan that
Alicia was staying purposely to see
Martin. Not that it mattered, and yet
and yet
Why did she hesitate like that In
her thoughts? She didn't want Mar
tin. But she didn't want Martin to
marry Alicia. There was something
cruel about her. Under all that gor-
geous radiance of manner Nan sensed
it definitely. Alicia wouldn't make
Martin happy.
She wondered why this though.
should occur to her, when Martin sud
denly appeared in the doorway -
usual the blood rushed to her head
and then receded leaving her deathly
pale.
Alicia was more radiant than ever.
She was glad now that she had waited.
She had wanted Martin to see her
calling upon his wife. She had wanted
to give him a chance to see them to-
Gether.
Nan was about to call for fresh tea.
but Martin suggested cocktails. Alicia
smiled inwardly as she saw the reins
If household government taken out of
Mans hands. 1t would be nice 10
have cocktail. too. She needed II:
And it was interesting to watch Nan
now that Martin was here. What
little animation that she had possessed
had died away. 1t was Martin and
Alicia who chatted
AS Alicia slipped her cocktail. tri.
lmph mounted in her. What a little
TOOL Nan was not to try and hold a
nan like Martin. He was everything
hat woman could want in a hus.
1and and she was sure now that he
liked her.
tCoDyrght. 1927
Continued in Mondays start