Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06


why not?" he asked lightly.
Because I can't-It's-You don't-It's not
right"
The gentleman in black retired dscreetly to
the back of the store.
Look at mel" She raised her eyes. They
were troubled
This is G party present." he said evenly, ito
celebrate the perfect, gorgeous time we've been
having. 1t has nothing to do with the fact
we're engaged and going to be married. I am.
giving 1t to you merely because you are the
most enchanting person remember ever know
ing, and because I'm mad about you"
He conscious of a vibrant tension be-
tween them as she stood facing him. 1t was
almost as though a silent, deadly struggle were
going on between them Then a strange ex-
preston came over her face, a curiously dis
torted refraction of conflicting emotions; JOY
mixed with sadness, excitement tinged with
regret.
When she spoke at last it was not to thank
him. Il shall 1t, Peter to remind me
Of what you have just said" That was all.
Later, as they sat over tea and sandwiches,
Peter realized with amusement that even to q
publisher, a promising young novelist was as
nothing IN comparison with charming woman.
Deliberately he kept himself In the background,
and with satisfaction watched her she met
and talked to Boil his ground, with
the easy formality which is bred Of assurance
and inner reserve.
The introduction had been simple. Mr..
Boil want to int. oduce you to my flancee."
I'm delighted. Congratulations. But, Sar-
gent, you never told me you were engaged"
And he never told me until today that ne
was changing publishers. Mr.. Boil" she had
thrown in coolly so quits"
What would he say to Boil to explain mat
tiers? Already she had calmly admitted that
they were being married in a fortnight and
sailing for Europe. This fantasy might be
amusing now, but it promised to be awkward
later
He aDnn arnd SSH no ar
heard boy, digging hole and pulling the
hole in after you" That what they were
doing, she with apparent elaboration, weaving
web OF complications about him which he
would never be able to explain without making
fool of himself. The time had come to clear
up this mystery. Things couldn't go like
this Why. he was just about in love with the
witch.
And. strangely, her attitude toward him
seemed to have undergone subtle change
since luncheon. There was still that enigmatic
look in her eyes and that curious smile on her
lips when she made some particularly astound-
ing announcement, but during the afternoon
he had caught now and then a note in
her voice hint of rebellion, almost of deSpera-
ton. And several times he had surprised her
looking at him with the wist.ul expression Of
person who is reluctantly dismssing the
thought Of something desirable but unattain-
able. She had been queer about the bracelet,
too, never mentioning it after they left Beck
with's, but often looking at it and touching it
as If she were impressing every detail of it on
her memory.
1t time to go. Almost as an afterthought
Boil produced the contract Peter had already
approved the terms, and he signed it almost
mechanically.
"Sargent, we will want to send out a pub
licity note about your engagement and ap-
preaching marriage, If you don't mind"
Wait until after we're married, please"
Nonsense, dear" Her laugh was gay.
you've got your public to think of. Mr. Boil,
Ill send you all the facts myself Peter
won't"
Those facts will be interesting" Peter OBJ
served grimly.
IN quarter hour it would be midnight.
Usually the corner alcove of the roof boasted
table for six; tonight it held small table
just large enough for two. Peter usually had
his way about such matters.
He absently watching the open path be-
tween the tables. 1t green path stTewl
with small bright flowers. She would be coming
toward him over the flowers in a moment. 1t
had already been quarter of an hour
But she had warned him this time. Peter,
I have to leave you for a few minutes. I may
be bit long Will you wait here? No, please,
don't even walk out with me. I'd rather leave
you here at the table, listening to the music.
Good-by, darling. Think of mel" And she had
wa ked down the pathway between the tables.
He lit cigarette nervously. Before the
night was over he was going to call her hand
and end this preposerous game. He Sensed
that she knew that crisis was ahead
"-Ar. SARGENT"
He Looked up at the waiter inquringy and
nc.;.:-i'
"A lady left this at the desk to be delivered
to you at quarter to H." The man laid an
envelope on the table and walked away.
Peter Sargent, ESQ.
To be delivered Has
lE felt something cold drive into his heart