The Washington times., 1928-12-15

But then-he persuaded her to
SIT in the lobby with him for q
few minutes before retiring.
This is all in the life of an
aviator" he explained away the
incident. I'll have her filled and
have you back in New York in no
time. Lucky, though. that your
husband is away / wonder il !
dare tell you something, or if you
will think am trying to make
mischief? You see, apart from
the fact that he won you. I have
no feeling against Winchester.
don't know him, but ] do think
you ought to know that all the
world is talking about June Will
son having gone TO Europe with
him. heard it from Oswald
pal of n1ine-but people are talk
ing. Madge, people are talking!
Now kill me for telling you.
ct know all about it. and it is
absolute scandal and nothing else,
Madge said aloud, nut in her heart
crept up bitterness for Michael.
As Carroll had heard to gossip,
then hundreds of other people
were talking. Michael had made
her an object of pity, a deserted
bride. And her anger grew and
strengthened, as Carroll had in
tended.
She slept, anger in her heart,
and during the night, this feeling
grew more and more intense.
So when Carroll phoned To her
room to say that the plane was
all ready for flight. naturally not
letting her know that he had had
plenty of gas all the time. she
answered him cordially and was
gay and charming and kind to
him as they had breakfast and
later drove back to the field where
they had abandoned the ship.
On their safe return TO the han
gar, and the trip had been a de-
light for Madge, she found that
Collins had slept in the car, faith
fully waiting for her.
II should get rid of this fellow"
Carroll counselled her in a low
voice as they drove back to the
city. Servants always gossip,
when there is nothing to gossip
about
He watcher her face narrowly.
He was anxious to establish be-
tween them the blood of sharing
a guilty secret.
collins is the soul of loyalty"
to her. at her own door and
Madge had sent him bone in her
car, she had agreed to dine ith
him in his studio that evening
Having enjoyed the luxuries of
her black and coral bath. Madge
relaxed in her boudoir on a chaice
lounge.
She decided that she was glad
she had restored Carroll in part
to her friendship. He would not
bel difficult to manage. The
night before when she knew he
was longing to kiss her. fairly
sharp rebuke had brought him
instantly to heel. At least. this
was better than being lonely
while Michael enjoyed the COM
panionship of another woman.
She idled away the day, and at
3 o'clock arrived at Carroll's
studio
Carroll came eagerly to greet
her.
Even the most platonic of
friends is permitted to kiss your
hands" he whispered taking
both of Madge's in his own.
Slowly. Iingeringly. he kissed
those palms. .He gave them little
kisses. little butterfly caresses,
and long lingering kisses near
the wrist.
Later. as she sat at the table
and looked down again over the
Park with the automobile lights
ri Oh
memories held her She remem-
bered the blue-black sky the first
night she had dined with him.
This evening. as the moon had
not yet risen, the sky back.
ground to the park, was more
purple in its velvet texture-royal
purple as her memories.
Still later. when the moon had
risen. and they still sat on the
balcony. he turned to her with
an abrupt question.
Are you honest with yourself,
Madge? l know you aren't with
others, But with yourself first
or all. and we'll take the other
in a moment Are you honest
with yourself? Are yon kf1din4
yourself as vou're frv'"
me that you don't care about
your husbands ,'il..n
another woman"
Why--a-why Carroll ,i4e.
gasped.
Your hesitation answers ii he
went on. without giving her
time for thought.
And what do you mean, am
not honest with other people ?''
she demanded more torcibly. the