Evening star., 1932-09-10
The Runaway Wife
By VERNE CONNELLY

who imposed restrictions Of all sorts
upon their union7 And, oh, God, why
had she not been frank and told him
the truth in the beginning? She real
lied now with bitter resignation that
deception and lies never pay, that
sooner or later one Is found out and
brought to retribution.
She was CHASTITY when she went TO
the ONCE that morning. Dark rings
outlined her eyes and 1t required more
than the usual amount OF rouge to hide
her paleneSs. DR.. Junet sent for her
almost Immediately. Martin had al
ready been there and the two men had
had the bitterest quarrel Of their ac-
quaintance.
Martin told Victor what had hap
pened the night before his dis
covery Of the baby and her admission
that she had gone to Reno that Sum-
mer at his expense and secured di-
vorce. DR.. Junet had never seen Mar
tin so angry. so completely outraged
Jean stood in the doorway, wistful
little smile on her lips. She was very
fond Of the doctor, and she could see
that he was sad. you wanted to zee
me?" she asked.
Yes, Jean, will you come ini I'm
afraid you slept badly -
II didn't sleep at ALL" she admitted,
and sat down wearily.
Martin was in this morning. He
told me what happened last evening.
I'm sorry, Jean-more sorry than I
can say. II you had only been frank
about this marriage-expiaining your
difhculty. Martin Is particularly angry
about your pretending to be Ill so that
you could 60 to Reno and get divorce"
But was Ill, or rather my nerves
were frightfully upset-you know that
yourself"
"Yes. do. But Martin looks upon
1t simply as o subterfuge on your part
to deceive him, get him to finance you
while you secured divorce 50 that
you could marry him"
II can understand that he would
think that, and In a way It IL true.
guess 1t is all true" Jean would not
spare herself
I'm afraid have bad news for you,
JEAN" DR.. Junet looked out the win
dow, hating to face the stricken look
In her eyes when he told her the truth.
Her heart duttered wildly, then al
most stopped beating for o second.
Now 1t resumed its mad gslloping while
she waited In terror for his words. She
could feel their impact before they
were spoken.
Martin thinks it would be better II
you were not connected with the bureau
any longer :"
Jean tried to speak, but her lips were
dry and inarticulate.
"Oh, my dearI" Suddenly DR.. Junet
was at her side. his arms about her.
My dear, helpless child love you so.
-. would do anything rather than
see YOU suffer in this way. Jean,
darling, please know that you can
always depend on me. don't care
how often you've been married, nor 20
whom. II you could love me a little
I'd Ike to take you away from this
sordid America that thinks only of
money =. from the people who do
not know the glory Of love Jean. I
would make you 50 happy =. swear
It, dear -
jeans sweet smile rewarded him.
She stroked the kind, dear face bent
over her; You are 50 very good to
me but couldn't it wouldn't
De fair to you you see, I love
Martin :"
A little later she went back 10 her
once and began to clear out her desk.
She felt disgraced. for she had BEEN
asked to leave immediately. A check
Tor one months salary was brouaht to
her, and at O'Clock she walked out Of
the Webster Vocational Bureau feeling
Ike . homeless waif.
(To Be Continued.)