Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-01
CHAPTER XIII.
HAPPINESS FOR KIRK.

TUANITA'S hand, lying beside her
plate, felt Kinks hand cover it.
Kinks hand, warm and sure and
~ arm. She did not move.
"Juanita," he said, his voice
seeming to move along her veins into
her heart. Juanita, look at me-"
She felt the tears in her eyes, but she
looked at him.
"Juanita!" Kirk was at her side.
"Juanita, darling-What is it?'
She had risen, stood dazedly. The
Thing was close like black pail. Kinks
arms we're closer still. Kinks kiss was
on her eyes, her brow her mouth.
Darling. :" Kinks whisper Moth
ing shall make you sad. Nothing shall
hurt you" Kinks whisper, moving
along her veins. into her heart.
Her hand touched his face, as II to
make sure that she did not dream !;
moved along his forehead. pushed back
his hair. She thought, AT last I have
done that" as II it had always been
her wish.
You blessed child" said Kirk. kiss
ing her again.
Her arm went around his neck. The
black thing with It's waiting pail skunk
away. Her face was against Kinks
breast, but she knew that the sun had
come up out of the sea, was gliding
the garden.
Kirk did not leave at 8 o'clock. At 7
he came up to Nellyis room while she
was having her coffee.
And why are we not half way to
New Orleans?" inquired Nelly. "Or did
we go last night and get back while
Juanita was singing to Adrian?"
Kirk smiled. He was big with his
news, and he sat down on the foot Of
the bed, facing Nelly.
"Juanita and are engaged" he said
Nellys eyes rounded over the edge
of her cup, as he had known they
would.
Since when?" she asked.
Since about 5:45. She had break
fast with me. Had to run back to her
room for fear the marquesa would miss
her, and came to tell you"
kiss me, Kirk" said Nelly. Il hope
you'll be happy"
You sound a little vague Kirk an
swered, kissing her cheek.
I'm not vague at all. I'm just
dazed. 1 didn't expect"
you knew was in love with her"
Il knew it before you did. But
didn't think you'd get engaged while
son of mine would propose under those
circumstances. 1 told Theoneste so. It's
all right, though, as long as she loves
you-as long as you didn't embarrass
her by making her refuse you"
II don't think I proposed" said Kirk
thoughtfully. LAS I remember it, we
just sort of understood each other
Understood? That was the way girls
talked when men deceived them. Sure
ly Juanita was not deceiving Kirk?
Yes, understood - thoroughly. We
talked about the future. She's going to
stay here with us. That is, II still
want her after what she has to tell me.
Isn't that ridiculous?"
Nelly nodded, relieved. when is she
going to tell you?"
This afternoon when get back. I'd
have stayed today If she had let me.
won't talk to me till this afternoon,
even If I stay. It's easier to CO." Kirk
arose.
Kirk. dear" said Nelly. you'll have
to ask the marquesa for Juanita''
"Juanita says not" Kirk answered.
Il was going to, but she says the mar
Quesa has nothing to do with it. She
doesn't want the marquesa even to
know. So don't tell anybody"
Not even Theoneste," thought Nelly
regretfuliy.
Kirk went, and she lay looking out
into the sunshine. Juanita-always with
them. No wonder Kirk had been so
happy.
Nelly wondered if she had been SYM
pathetic enough. 1t had come as q
surprise after the marquesas news of
Juanita's engagement. She had in a
way given Juanita up, had let go of a
nebulous hope that had come into her
heart simultaneously with Juanita. She
herself could not be with Kirk forever,
and Juanita was just the one she would
like to leave in her place. Nelly smiled,
tapping her glasses against the morning
paper beside her.