Evening star., 1927-08-18
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Pride.

- That night when they returned to
the apartment, although it was late,
Nan did not turn directly toward her
bedroom. as was her wont.
She flew in to see that Muriel was
all right, and to drop her shawl She
even stopped for a hurried sweep of
the powder puff across her creamy
cheeks. Then she returned to the liv-
ing room, and curled up on the big
davenport.
Martin rose as she entered, and then
settled back in his big comfortable
chair. After few moments Nan
asked for cigarette, and he came and
lighted it for her Nan did not smoke
much, but tonight she was nervous:
She always felt at a loss. when she
was quite alone with Martin. In spite
of the fact that he had told her ne
expected nothing from her, she felt
somehow that he did. Besides, he had
given her so much and she had given
nothing. The time must come when
they would have to have it out, and
il might be tonight. She intended to
he fair. She had no intention OF
cheating.
She inhaled on her cigarette and
said lightly:
Did you have a good timer"
Martin turned toward her.
Every. 1 like St. Clair"
at thought you would, and there's
such a nice air Of informality about
their place."
II suppose there always is about a
studio. That's where an artist has
~. nf q Hfy
a sober-minded lawyer with a skylight
and embroidered hangings. And yet
ST. Clair seems a good sort.
Nan was silent
Did that mean that underneath his
light praise Martin looked down upon
artists? Was there a sly dig behind
the words he spoke?
She felt the hot blood creeping up
under her skin, but she said nothing.
How could she. when she was his wife,
and he was doing everything, not only
for her, but for Tom Elliott's child?
The conversation languished, as, of
course, if was hound to. Serious un-
dercurrents were running just beneath
the light words they were saying to
each other, and they were both aware
of the fact. Nan wondered nervously
if Martin were waiting for her to make
a gesture, felt that he was and grew
still more nervous.
Her fingers, locked in her lap, were
icy cold. She wanted to love him
More than anything in the world she
wanted to love him. but it was impos-
sible to force love. She had felt that
perhaps If he were patient-but then
perhaps he felt that he had been pa
tient. She swallowed a couple Of times
and then she said desperately, Mar
tin"
Yes" His voice was quiet-toc
quiet. She remembered suddenly that
he was a lawyer and could probably
read her every thought. Lawyers were
so clever about such things.
With Tom she had had nothing tc
fear about anything of that kind. Ir
fact, he had always reacted entirely
differently. When she had been quie'
and moody he had always begged hel
to tell him what wa going on in hel
thoughts. He was no mind reader
With Martin she felt that no secre
she had was safe. Those keen eyes o
his seemed to pierce through to hel
very soul.
And now before she could answe
him he was speaking. His words wer
courteous, polite, but rather forma
and cold
II think I know what you wer,
going to say. Please don't feel tha
you owe anything to me. don't wan
anything out of gratitude" Here hi
voice lifted proudly. II took IN.
chance, and if 1 can't win your love
that's my illfortune. But l don
want you to feel pressed by circum
stances. That would be ridiculous"
Nan had been uncertain of what sh
intended to say, but his words chille'
her, forced her back on herself. H
made her feel as if 1t were a matte
OF no moment to him whether sh
cared SoE him OF not. The color eme
- n -sAss 49, b6sss. E.sssss5s