Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16

Aouri and fragrant as the jasmine
flower, and, IN spite of loyalty to the
noblest sheik in New Orleans, I could
love her to distraction. This is the pro-
logue to the raising of the courtain on
the most glorious spectacle this side the
Bosporus."
Senior Basara smiled, his glance
leaving Juanita an instant and travel
ing about the room. Juanita lowered
her face closing her eyes. Ledbetter
began again his soft jargon. Adrian
spoke now in fiery aside
II didn't bring you here to hold her
hand and make love. I brought you to
make date for me. You said you could
pull off her veil in a way that looked
accidental. Nov do it."
Illness shot through Juanita. Led
better had released her hand and she
drew from him, her eyes encountering
Kirk Stanards. Stanard had been dl-
yiding his interest between their by
play and Mrs Belaises game. He was
looking at Juanita now. smiling friend
". The exchange of glances lasted
only an instant yet swift courage
had entered Juanita when she looked
again at Ledbetter. She had felt that
she would fall if she tried to move. She
knew now that she could fall before
those friendly, smiling eyes. She could
there was Divitt watching her.
Quickly her hand moved over her
tray. She selected a rose and, bending
over Ledbetter. thrust it through his
buttonhole, then lightly. swiftly, left
kiss upon his astonished cheek-a kiss
through the mesh and spangles OF her
veil. yet. nevertheless. a kiss.
She was gone Molly vas smiling at
her where she stood in front of the
cashiers cage
Honey. that was great. Eric Led
betters got million. and this is his
first look-in 1 thought for a minute
you were going to frost him. What's
the mattor?"
I'm i'll. I can't stay"
Molly saw the dilated eyes, the hands
that trembled at the edge of the tray.
She set the tray on table.
Go to your room. Ill send Conchita
10 you"
Juanta slipped out a side door into
the court. Juanita stood a dazed in
slant leaning against the cool stucco
Of the house. then she stumbled up the
dark stair and into her room, locking
the door. taking off her veil so that she
could breathe. For a deadly instant her
heart had stopped. Now it was beating
in great beats that seemed to push
against each other. Conchita came to
the door and she bade her go away.
"a lit orange flower water" pleaded
Conchita. He will cure anything"
Juanita drank the water. Lay on de
bed" ordered Conchita. "He cannot
cure you while you run up and down."
Juanita turned on her. "Vamos"
she cried, and Conchita waddled out.
Up and down, twisting her hands.
How safe she had felt-when here to
this very city. this very house!
And she had thought him at the other
end of the world. Apparently he was a
friend of Adrian Fouche and of the
man who had spoken to her in the
strange tongue-Turkish, of course. A
trap-and whose? Who had suspected
and briught him here? No matter. He
had come-would come again The
man Ledbetter would have pulled off
her veil in another instant Yet they
must have thought she could not I'M
derstand when they spoke in Eng
lish. How tangled it was! But 1t
was a net, and here she must stay,
crowded into a corner, while they drew
II tight.
Again that sudden stopping of the
door. She stood rigid Then a voice.
'It is Gabreau. I have something for
you"
Juanita opened the door and Gabreau
handed her note.
1T is from Eric Ledbetter," he said;
ode man what you kiss" And as
Juanita did not take it. You not want
it9 Then what for you kiss him?"
ITO get awav." Gabreau's voice COM
PEELED an explanation.
You not kiss him because you love
him?"
"Buen Dios. mol"