Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-02
CHAPTER XIV.
ADRIAN INTERFERES.

yYJANITA stood at her window,
watching Kirk ride away. she
hoped he would turn and wave.
~ There! Juanita waved back. The
trees hid him.
She leaned against the window Jamb.
closing her eyes. She must tell him
this afternoon. But she had had her
happiness. All her life she had prayed
for such happiness as had been hers IN
the garden. It was love, after all. AND
love was like this. What wonder it had
brought havoc to the world-ecstaSy-
death.
The narquesa slept still. The mar
Quesa slept, though the world mad
changed Juanita looked down at
the pearl ring on her finger. Kirk had
taken it off, had held 1t in his closed
palm, then slipped it on her hand again.
THAT keeps the bond" he said, It'll
get the other"
Don't bring the other" she had an
@wered, "until--"
She had meant to say. Until you
know everything" But she was aware
that such a precaution would be disre-
garded by him. Nothing could make
any difference, he had told ner. II
was heaven-and she had until 4 o'clock
this afternoon to keep that blind aSsur-
ance against her heart.
Four o'clock-in the library. They
would be uninterrupted there, as no one
but himself ever invaded 1t.
"We'll have our conference in the
window seat, where my grandfather
used to deliver all his homilieS-and
they had about as much effect on my
behavior as yours will have this after
noon"
And so she had not said, Until we
have had our talk" but, Until 60"
It'll you go where, young woman?"
Back to the Tijon"
"You aren't going back to the Tijon.
The first thing I know the marquesa
will be away with you. She's smelling
mice around here as it is, but can't tell
which mouse smells the worst-Adrian
or me. The only place you're going
from here is to the parsonaSe-next
door to my house in New Orleans. Old
DR.. Bruce is the only man you're going
to see, II have anything to do with it"
But she had said again. please wait,
Kirk dear. For the ring. mean" Had
said it so earnestly that he had prom
ised, smiling little, holding her close.
"I'n wait, Juanita."
Juanita started. Lorena was knock
ing at her door. Mrs. Belaise wanted
to see her.
Juanita said she would come She
had not wanted Kirk to tell Nelly, but
lie IldQ DSSRGQ. TNe1lJ WOuIO SlGu.
He quite overlooked the fact that their
engagement was not a reality and would
not be until after she had talked with
hinl-if then. There were no doubts in
Kinks mind as to himself or Nelly. Yet
Kinks blindness might carry him to
foolish lengths. Nelly would see clearly
where Kirk was concerned.
And I want them to see clearly"
Juanita told herself. But I'd like a
little happine5S-just for today"
Talking with Nelly took the fairy tale
out of it. And all too soon.
Juanita smcothed her hair. rumpled
by Kinks caresses. dabbed powder about
her eyes that had so lately known tears,
went down the hall.
Nelly was all aglow. She folded
Juanita in frail. lacy arms. I'm SO
happy she said. I'm as happy as
Kirk
Kirk reached home early and went
upstairs to observation-disclosures and
sweater, wool stockings and light
weight leather coat, the proper regalia
tor Tarpon Point, for which they would
start at o'clock. He hurried down to
the library that he might be there when
Juanita came.
All the way home his thoughts had
been with that meeting, not because of
what she might have to tell him, but
merely because he would see her again,