Evening star., 1932-08-14
KING ARTHUR DID 1T


delightful weapon. Toby couldn't stand it any
longer.
He said, his eyes on Marly's little golden
wings II don't know whether you've been
Furnishing me or disciplining me, but which,
ever it was. must say you've been thorough"
I've just" murmured Marty been writing
Finis' to the chapter that you closed"
What do you mean, closed?"
Marly's eyes widened, innocently. We'll
we're here, aren't we? I always meant to
come, but you'll admit you hurried up the
starting"
He looked at her helplesSly.
You must know he said. that I'd have
given anything possessed If I'd met you in
some other way. But I'm not taking any mans
girl away from him-not behind his back"
Up went Marly's yellow head. who said,"
she cried fercely that you could take me
away from Clay! And anyway. 1 told you I
only flirting! So you don't have to have
any regrets!"
TOBY, thrashing around in his berth that
night, wondered if there had ever been a
girl as irritating Flirting indeed! He would
tell her what he thought of that, across the
breakfast table! For he'd have one more
breakfast with her before he took her to Clay
Thaxter
Then he looked out of his window-it was
o OClOCk-dIQ saw CLlaL he WOulQnL nave
breakfast with her. For there the platform
was Marty, fully dressed and. with her bags
headed for low-swung roadster.
Toby had one minute in which to see that
they were in Berkeey-one minute In which
to remember that Clay Thaxter lived in Berke-
ley-and three minutes fiat in which to get
into his clothes down the aisle, across the
platform and into Marty Farrels car
Marty coming around the side of the road
Ster found him sitting behind the wheel
you didn't" she cried hotly, 'have to get
off! know my way around in California;"
Toby took her ignition key from her and
thanked her for it.
Il started out to deliver you to Thaxter," he
informed her grirnly, "and I'm going to do It'll
What are you trying to do, anyway? And
where did you get this carr"
Its my car. wired for it to be here. And
you might well get out of it,"
When We reach Thaxters house." promised
Toby. The original plan was to take you in
to San Francisco, but If you want to drop in
on him for breakfast, that's all right with me-
The sooner see him the better"
"But-but I'm not going to-to Clay's house
now! I'm tired and grimyl I'm going some
where-and make myself look beautiful before
see him! I will phone him"
Toby didn't argue further He just slid out
from behind the wheel, went around to her side
of the car picked her up unceremoniously,
OIOppcO over OOOr OF the rOauSLer, ana
before she could do anything about it he was
back behind the wheel
Toby drove, silently. Marty sat beside him,
just as silent. And even when they rolled into
the long driveway of Clay Thaxters too pre-
tentious home, she said nothing at all.
Toby stopped the car. IF you don't mind,
I'll go in first. There's something want to
say"
Marty stared stonily ahead and Toby took
the steps at two strides. This, he told himself,
squaring his shoulders was going to be the
toughest part of the whole trip
And then he inside, facing Thaxter
across the living room. And he was saying,
steadily:
|"Shes outside But there's something I'VE
got to say before you see her. You can call
me rotter if you like, but couldn't help it.
never wanted to go in the first place, though
was joking when I spoke of King Arthur.
I never expected it to happen"
Thaxter staring at him.
Would you mind explaining" he said
patiently, what you're trying to say? And
where have you been?"
That's part of it," explained Toby. CT
that is, we-anyway, she wanted to stay over
in New York I suppose could have stopped
it, but-well, didn't. Probably was in love
with her already. But didn't know it-not
until I kissed her. Then, II did the best
could. We started that day. But might
wen Tell you-VIlatS why I'm here-l love nef
and I'm going to marry her. II can"
You are" remarked Thaxter, "out of your
head Gone clean loony."
Then some one came to the open doorway
Toby saw, with a start, that she fam
boyant redhead. A little overdressed. Her
charms little overstressed
He said, in voice that was not his own
"Who-who is that?"
Clay Thaxter glowed. Meet the wife, Wells!
Come in Milly, and tell Wells how you walked
out on him!" He turned to Toby beaming.
What do you think this little girl did when
she found out that the boat docked early?
Took taxi and caught the first train out"
"Then-then who" Toby muttered wildly
"have I got parked out in your driveway?"