Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-29
CHAPTER Xxx.
ADRIAN OR KIRK?

FTEN Kirk had that sense with
Juanita, the sense of something
with wings. Why did she
evade him so often, as she had
a moment ago on the beach
when he had come closer than he ever
had come to her? ,.-.
Had some man been in her life?
Were they sending her about America
to forget? For all the marquesa's bah
King She had given no hint Of sadness
in Juanita's scheme OF things. Yet
sadness seemed the essence OF Juanlta,
except at such moments as when she
PLAYED the guitar, for instance.
Perhaps It was grief for some one
else. Juanita's mother had died the
wear before. Her father had died when
she was a chilo.
Whatever was in her past, Kirk felt
that it stood bstween them more than
any prospect of the future. He WOULD l,,
not find the winning of Juanita an easy
matter if he took her back to New
orleans People were mad about her.
They liked the marquesa, too, Tor tnat
matter.
No easy race. There was Bobby
Cranshaw with his millions, and there
was Rod Stevens. Nelly had had them
both to dinner, and twice they nao
driven out on their own invitation.
There was Adrian, too. Adrian was in
love continually. With Juanita he
seemed prepared to be serious. They
would see Adrian tomorrow. He was
giving Juanita a dinner on Tarpon
Point. And Cranshaw and Stevens
were making all sorts Of plans Tor
Easter week when Juanita should re-
turn to New Orleans.
Juanita seemed to enjoy them all.
Kirk could not distinguish a difference
Hf fhnYpN rIr1IACS
IL was with Adrian. Adrian seemed 10
avoid. not openly, but in a way that
KIRK could divine. For himself. he was
certain that she liked him, aware that
she turned to him in any annoyance.
such as when Adrian had arrived unex-
pectedly. That night, Kirk recalled,
was another time he had seen her alone
They had gone out into the garden IN
the moonlight, and he had shown her
the bulbul bush. Its red flowers were
not open yet, but he had picked one OF
the buds fol. her while they SAT on Ine
garden bench and the sound OF music
and dancing came from the veranda. It
was a night on which Stevens ano
Cranshaw had come, too.
But Juanita did not turn to him TOT
refuge from the past. She let IL drop
like a veil whenever he came close.
Her eyes were. full of the sea as she
turned to him, making a moVemeHt W
20 back Their hour had gone fast.
The marquesa was waiting on the
steps. Kirk went ahead to meet her.
She. stood, bending toward him as ne
assembled, talking rapidly. Juanita saw
Kirk take out his wallet. The marquesa
affected to protest. Presently she was
radiant, running back into the house
Juanita looked away as Kirk approached
She felt chagrined Kirk was smiling.
"She gives us half an hour more" he
said
They walked toward the islands other
end, where the sun was beginning to 60
down in a welter of red gold.
I'm going back to New Orleans to-
morrow" said Kirk I'm leaving at
o'clock-before you're awake
I'm not certain I shan't be awake,
.Juanita answered. There's been q
mockingbird lately outside my window
I call him my alarm clock"
set him for 5. o'clock" begged Kirk
"Have breakfast with me tomorrow In
the garden. Does the marquesa sleep
hard enough?"
That's her sleepiest time. But why
should she care?"
"She shouldn't. But she does look
after you with vengeance"