Evening star., 1928-03-07
TT IN e0S NAT m Mystery Story
M@ NV@Wnn & UWU@mUuG By I.PA
LrAr
roryr,sht. 1897. by Frank L. Packard.

had seemed to be one that once. some
where, out of vague unreality, she had
actually lived before. She hadn't, OF
coursei That was utterly fanciful. But
the impression had remained-had even
grown stronger.
why should she of late have acquired
the habit of contrasting those two faces
the one Of memory with Herman
Rand's? The other face was not nearly
so handsome as Rand's. The other was
not even handsome in any degree: 1t
was too rugged for that, too--too utterly
masculine She did not know any other
way to express IL. There was Just some
thing strong and tremendously clean
about It, and certain indomtiable poise
to 1t on its broad shoulders.
Miss Garth"-Rand was suddenly
bending over her. his voice low, little
shaken-'T-I did not mean to say any
thing tonight. Perhaps I shouldn't. but
but feel that you know, and-and-
we'll, / can't hold 1t back any longer
I think I cared for you from the first
moment I met you. And. since then,
these days on board here have brought
me more happiness than I have ever
known before. I know that you have
given me no reason to believe that you,
too. care, but I have dared to hope.
Tell me. his voice was very low now,
vibrant-"have I-have any right to
hope?"
+: had come. She sat there now
staring, not at him. but out over the
vessels rail into nothingness. Her
hands In her lap under the rug tighten
ed together. How should she answer
him? What should she say? Not
whether 1t should be yes" or no"
She realized quite clearly at this mo-
ment that her feelings for him had
never passed beyond the stage of
friendship. But how to answer him
and not hurt him? 1t brought her a
rang. sudden stab. Her eyes filled.
She could understand One who
cared-and one who didn't!
I am terribly sorry, Mr. Rand
terribly sorry" Her voice faltered a
little in earnestness and emotion. But
but do not think l could ever feel
toward you in that way. II want to
be very honest with you. There are
times when like you-oh, tremendous
ly. And. perhaps, though you say l
haven't I may have shown that liking
more openly than I should, and--have
possibly given you reason to believe
that returned your own feelings"
MOI he said instantly. You have
never done that!"
"Wait!" she said. II said I wanted
to be very honest with you. If--if
always felt that liking, IL do not
know, but that. after while, /, too.
might come to care. But there are
times when there seems to be some-
thing-oh, I do not know how even TO
express it-something antagonistic be-
tween u.s."
II do not understand" he said
little hoarsely.
Nor do l." said Marion in a troubled
way.
rs 1t anything have done? Any
thing I have said?" he asked quickly.
NO" Marion answered. Nothing.
IL told you I could not explain it."
But" he protested-and then sud-
denly he laughed in a low. relieved
way. Il think knowl" he said. TITS
perfectly natural. The world would be
all changed. your world. mean. If you
were about to be married; and however
much you cared for one, unless you
knew him very intimately indeed. the
future could not help but hold
troubled questioning In your heart. and
and too. perhaps. certain trepidation
that at times would bring fear and
hesitation. You have known me for
only little while. and have spoken
far too soon. have been too impe-
tuous should have waited. And that
Is the reason. I am sure. for what you
call those moments Of antagonism-
which are not actually antagonistic at
all"
NO" she said slowly: Il do not
think so. II I loved any one. really
loved in the way you mean. no matter
how short time might have known
him. / cannot imagine myself think
ing OF the future with anything but
Joy and eagerness."
And yet" said Rand gravely. II
am sure that ! am right. want TO
believe am, anyway. You must not
rob me of that bclief-of something
to which want TO pin my faith--be-
cause must have faith, and must
have hope"
Again Marion shook her head.
Would 1t be fair not rob you, as
you put it?" she said earnestly.
Rand was silent for a moment.
Fart" he said at last. his voice
little husky. "Oh. don't mind thatl
I must take my chance there. May !
ask you a question--even though. per-
haps. I have no right to ask It? Isis
there any one else?"
Marion was still staring out into the
gray fog.
mo" she said steadily. there is no
one else"
CONTINUED In Tomorrow's starr