Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-25
Illustrated By PAUL kROESEN

it as a pastime," DR.. jack
son, young physician, laughed. yet might
be tempted under some circumstance
such as prolcn mental or physical anguish
to make use of my trusty revolver and enc
things"
IT certainly would not do anything with a
revolyer" Ruth tried to laugh, too. which
only proves what coward I ami"
1T shows you brave enough to face life
which is more courageous than dying" the
physician assured her.
IT hope you are right" Ruth smiled her
thanks at the compliment.
IT know he is right" one of the men re-
marked. by the way, Doctor speaking OF
suicide what is the easiest method of accom-
plishing it? The pistol that Mrs. Pratt hates?
For my part 1 would be afraid that I might
not aim at vulnerable spot. Then I would
be worse off than before"
There are several pretty sure points which
one can hardly miss" the young physician
said lightly. For instance, there is spot
here on the temple" touching the right tenn
pie at the edge of his curly hair. IF you
aimed there the shot would so right home
and would you, too"
Again Ruth tried to laugh with the others.
Her lips felt stiff and dry. II these people
would only talk of something else!
Fred Sprang to his feet. For heavens sake.
cut out the tragedy and let's get busy with the
chatting dish and coffee percolator!'
1t past midnight when the last guest
went home. Fred Villas fingered to help his
sister set the place to rights. Then he went
to the door of her bed room and turned on
the light.
1T was a nice birthday party, darling" she
said, putting her arms about his neck. II do
thank you for it,
II thank you for letting me have it, honey"
Villas said tenderly. II hope this is the begin
ming of good year for you, Ruth"
If, she rejoined 1.-The surety CT your love
can make me happy shall be happy"
You are pale dear" the brother remarked
you must be very tired. Are you certain you
are not nervous-or lonely-or anything"
She kissed him and he turned away.
II am never nervous she laughed lightly.
LAS to the vague anything you suggest-nc,
am not that either Good night, DEAR"
When he had gone she switched of the hal
and drawing room lights and returned to her
own room. CHANGING at herself in the mirror
she saw that, as Fred had said, she was pale.
She must be mere tired than she had appre-
ciated She would go right to bed.
Undressing, she slipped on her nightgown.
then sat down upon the edge of the bed to re-
move her slippers and stockings.
THE small clock on her desk pointed to l. It
was the little clock that Tom hadA given
her when he gave her the mahogany desk.
She loved this desk Tom and she had ar
ranged her papers in it. I'm the lower drawer"
he had said. you'd better keep the things you
are not likely 10 need OfCen-Old letters, IamlIy
papers, etc Do not put there the articles you
use rep.,arly-for it is not pleasant to have TO
bend down to get something you are in hurry
for"
She sat very still now. recalling Toms words
and the sound of his voice, her eyes fixed on
the drawer in question
BY the way that was the drawer the pistol
was in. It had been there, untouched, for a
year
M-tionIess she sat thinking. How still her
apartment was! She. supposed this was the
quietest hour of the night. Yet even now she