Evening star., 1928-06-10

or short trips-she would have had an
explanation ready for that, too.
He must, with his money, live the
life of the hunted" she would have
said. And it's probably relief to be
able to talk with woman who, though
older. hasn't lost all her looks.
haven't quite, suppose
Nor had she. unless her mirror was
an unmitigated liar. She looked bet
ter than she ever had beforehand she
knew it, And was subtly glad of It'll
You can be an amusing child at
times" she assured him on the sixth
day.
They were both on skis, which no
longer acted as if all nature we're
creased for the occasion when she put
them on.
NOW they stood at the top of what
he had warned her was TO be
mile of continuous descent, with roller
coaster features. But it was not that
which had occasioned her comment
How much longer do you expect to
stay?" he had asked.
why, go tomorrow night" she had
replied. Didn't tell you had plan
ned to stay only a week."
But that was several days ago. I
had hoped you might change your
m.nd-a woman does, sometimes. am
told"
1t was then that she had assured him
that he was an amusing child
Il should protest that" he remarked.
"if l didn't have a hunch that all men
are amusing children in your eyes
when they aren't annoying ones. that
is. You do rather scorn men, don't
you?"
You mean that refuse to PROSTATE
mvself before them. feminine fashion"
she corrected coolly.
You would he commented. as cool
~. But, Just the same, why don't
you consider prolonging this vacation of
yours?"
II can't. We cent all do what VIC
please, you know"
Meaning me? You're wrong. I'm
leaving myself tomorrow night Two
tor ave"
1t took her unawares. But YOU meyer
soid me!" she protested.
You never bothered to ask" he re-
minded her. And added. quickly, Wait
a second"
But Nancy's skis were in motion
Plunging downward Swiftly. blindly.
She had considered this week but an
lnterlude, definitely tagged as such.
Iommy had played his part in 1t. added
to IT. But, when she said good-bv 10
him, 1t was to be good-by. In New
York she had little time to play. and
she had been prepared to tsll him so.
IL necessary.
What she had not been prepared for
was a casualneSs to match hers. In
stead, she had had a purely feminine
suspicion-none the less potent for all
that 1t remained as unrecognized as IL
was unauthorized-that he had not been
wholly altruisttc in urging her to stay
longer
And. after all, he had been.
The path her skis followed was mar
row. twisting. She hardly saw 1t.
Something had blurred her vision.
Unfortunately, because there was
need OF a clear eye. The roller-coaster
effect Tommy had spoken of was due
TO bumps In the trail. the very first OF
these shot her into tha air
She came down with an impact that
stunned her. Tommy. shooting over
the same bump. jumped sidewise and
stopped Just beyond her. The next
second he was bending over her.
"NancyP' he besought. agonizedly. his
head so close to hers that she could
hnrt?"
She did not answer. She kept her
eyes closed. A long moment she lay so
Then abruptly almost vehemently. she
struggled TO her feet.
I'm all right" she told him. "I
must have been stunned for a second"
You took a wicked toss" he said.
still deeply concerned. do you think
you feel up to going on TO Connery?"
This had been their plan--Connery
and griddle cakes, at the camp there.
Perhaps" she replied, without meet
ing his eyes, lit might be better II We
went back feel as II had had
enough for one day"
He acquieSced instantly.
Sure you're all right?" he asked
again, after removing her skis. back at
the club. wouldn't 1t be wise to see
the doctorP"
She told him she was perfectly all
right. But that was not what she told
herself when she reached her room,
"Oh. you---you priceless idiot" she
blazed, with sick self-contempt, Its
certainly time you went back to busi-
ness"
At o'clock tnat night--94 hours
: ahead of her Schedule--she was
on her way To New York, She had de-
parted without even the most casual
farewell to any one.
Tommy might wonder at that--might
not, She didn't care. She never. never
wanted To see him againl Even to
think of him was torture now. Because
she had, for a moment, lain in his arms
that afternoon~-langulshed was the
savage word that occurred To her
willing him 10 kiss her.
II suppose it's what they call love. :"
she Soliloqui1ed scorntully. "At my age
for hint
From the Grand Central, In the
morning she phoned her mother and
TAXED to the otiice,
You certainly look fit," her imme.
dlate superior assured her. 'Rut what
made you come back SO soon2 We ex-
pected--~~"
Il came back because I feel Mt"
Nancy assured him. And added cool
ly. "beaidea-how could l be sure you
weren't appointing new advertising
manager In my ahsencep"
He gave her a glance that puzzled
her,
Did YOU meet a MIR Stirling at Lake
plaeidP' he asked then. directly
"atlriingq" echoed Nancy, She turned
scarlet, "You~~you don't mean Tommy
Sttrltnga"
Il don't know him quite wellsenough
To call him Tommy" he observed dryly,
"Ynu~~did YOU see much OF hime"
ton I askedq"
about the advertising managershipp
Galifa n lat Nast kaax., nfs haua saanral