Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-27

That's one thing" he said. He
threw his cigar into the fire and rose.
| "Dora"-his voice was like ice-"Lacy
Marshall is an undesirable acquaint-
ance."
She looked up, her eyes wide open.
Isn't he honest?" she asked lnno-
Gently.
There are a whole lot of honest peo-
pie that no respectable lady thief can
dine with in a private room at SHAY
arri's." he said deliberately. Lacy
Marshall is one"
Here eyes dropped to the fire again;
her color came and went.
you've been watching me, have you'
Marshall may be very useful man TO
know in certain eVentualitleS."
He Is of no use in any eventuality,"
said Martin Elton; and he IS never 50
useless as when he is dining furtively
with my wife"
A long silence followed.
| II only dined with him once at Sha-
varris," she spoke at last. Il intended
| telling you, but ] forgot. Hundreds of
people dine privately at Shavarris," she
said defiantly.
He nodded.
And I'm particularly anxious that
you should not be like any of those
hundreds" he said. you've dined with
him twice, as a matter Of fact-twice l
know about; probably more often.
Dora, that isn't to happen again
She did not answer.
DO you hear?"
She shrugged her shoulders.
Il get precious little out of life she
said with a little sob. The only people
I meet are Stanford and you and the
little crooks you pull into your various
games I like to meet somebody who
isn't that way-at times. It's like
breath Of fresh air, that makes me for
get the rotten atmosphere in which
She did not see his cynical smile, but,
knowing him, she could guess how he
would receive her excuse.
Intensely pathetic" he said. The
picture you have drawn of the pure
child. striving to regain the memory CT
her lost innocence, touches me deeply.
But if you want to get back to nature,
I suggest some other means than tete
a-tete dinners at Shavarri's. They are
sophisticated, Dora. You won't so
again."
She looked up quickly
IF l want TO 60" she began de-
family.
You will not go again." he said. his
I will look up Mr.. Lacy Marshall and
put three bullets through his pocket in
which he carries his excellent cigars.
What shall do to you, don't know"
he said in matter of-fact tone. 1t
depends entirely upon my mood and
your-your propinquity, I rather fancy
it will be triple tragedy"
Her face was CHASTITY white. She
tried to speak, but could not put her
words in order. Then, suddenly, she
was at his feet, her arms clasping his
knees.
"Oh, Bunny, Bunny" she sobbed.
Don't talk like that don't look like
that! I will 90 what you wish-there
was no harm. I swear there was moth
ing in it, Bunny-I just went out Of
devilment"
He touched her golden hair.
You mean lot to me, Dora" he
said gently. Il haven't given you the
very best training, and I guess I've
thrown overheard every one of the good
moral maxinls that guide most people,
But there's one to which I am holding
like death-it's honor among thieves,
Dora-honor among thieves!"
She had been in bed two hours, and
he still sat before the remains OF the
fire, the stub Of an unlighted cigar be-
tween his white teeth, his eyes fixed
modify upon the dull embers. TWO
bitter hours they had been, when he had
stood face to face with the naked truth
Of things, and had brought his philos-
ophy to join experience in judging the
woman he loved. This good-looking
young man, with his fiawleSs skin and
his dandified attire. was very human.
He rose, unlocked a drawer of the
writing table, took out a small pistol
and sat for quarter of an hour before
the fire, the pistol resting on the palm
Of his hand, his grave eyes fixed upon
the weapon. He heard rustling sound
outside and slipped the pitsol into his
pocket, as Dora in her neglige came
into the room.
TITS past 2 o'clock, Bunny" she said
anxiously. Aren't you coming to bed?"
He rose stiffly and stretched himself
you're not worrying any more, are
YOU, Bunny?" she asked apprehensively
Her eyes were still red with weeping:
the hand she laid on his arm shook. He
took it in his and patted it.
mo. I'm not worrying any more"
he said. Wen start fresh"
But, Bunny" she walled, there's
no need to start fresh. I swear to
you-"
Continued in Tomorrows STAR