Evening star., 1932-02-26


quiet bed room-Judy's trailing
L velvet figure held hard against
STAINS naked chest in ironic en-
brace.
STAINS black eyes-mocking. Hating.
STAINS curled lips and white teeth
Stan-whose embrace could once send
a tingle of sweet fire to her very finger
tips. Stan-whom she had thought she
loved so fervently. so desperately. And
whom Judy now knew she hated quite
as fervently.
STAINS lips-crushing her own. Held
in helpless fury in his arms.
A sudden 1.-THE twist and she was
free, painting behind the chair which
she held as a bulwark between them.
Don't you ever dare do that again!
Don't you dare!"
STAINS low, mirthless laugh. That
would make good listening for judge!
Ill tell you this. Judy, and I mean it..
If you try to get a divorce, III name
Nick Carter as the man who alienated
your affections, and I'll drag him
through all hell before I get through.
I have witnesses in this house who
bear him no love, and you know it!'
Judy did know it. Amy would make
the most out of her testimony. And
relish it into the bargain. Judy checked
the hot retort rising to her lips. Stared
back at him for a moment in helpless
anger. Suddenly turned and left the
room.
Back in her own bed room she walked
over to the mirror, not knowing what
she was doing, and stared at the ref1ec-
ton which looked back at her. A
white-faced girl, with stunned eyes.
Judy had never looked like that before.
Judy had never before faced such
situation.
God-oh, God! Memory beating upon
her. STAINS voice-"I1l name Nick
Carter-Ill drag him through all hell!"
1t wasn't true. He couldn't prove any
thing. People had to prove things in
court. But Stan would he-flatly. Even
If be was disproved, the damage would
be done The world would believe the
worst. of course. 1t always did. Nick
straight, honorable Nick, blackened like
that A man-it wouldn't matter. Oh,
but it would! Under that easy, matter
Nick's fair name was dear to him, as 1t
was to any right-thinking man.
The mirrored eyes were tortured-ac-
cusing-looking back into her own:
Judy turned, distracted. Snapped of
the light. Fell into the low slipper
chair before the window. Buried her
A deadlock. She and Stan-slinging
midland the world watching with i'll
natured glee. Stan would stop at moth
ing. Brother against brother. There
was no hate like this. She was the fig
urehead of STAINS hate for Nick. He
would make of her a cudgel to strike at
Nick. All his jealousy Of his brother
his lifelong resentment and Smoldering
hatred had broken out now that he
knew Nick loved her. Before this he
had never been able to reach Nick. The
older man had brushed his petty dis
like aside as man absently waves
away an irritating gnat. But this was
different. Here was way to hurt.
Sitting there, unmoving in the dark,
face buried in her hands, Judy was a
stricken thing. Back and forth her
tortured thoughts darted, trying to
find an opening-hnding every escape
blocked. Stan held the whiphand.
She was stunned. She had never
doubted that Stan would agree to sepa-
rate. His marriage had been a gesture
Of hate. Freedom would be welcome to
Stan, who wanted no restraint. He was
not bound to her by any bonds Of love
now. No, not love-but hate She
was bound to him by hate-his hatred
Of Nick.
Back and forth-her brain beating,
like a wild animal trapped in an ever
narrowing space. 1t amounted to just
this: open defiance, which would mean
mud-slinging. And even then-victory
by no means assured. Stan would block
her efforts for a divorce. And what
could she prove? Knowing a thing and
proving 1t in court of law were two
very different things. Even If she were
ruthless and dragged Eunice into the
matter, as Stan would 6rag Nick, 1t
might still remain deadlock. Divorce
refused"- She jumped as though the
words which echoed in her mind had
been spoken aloud in the dark room.
And under all this frantic thinking
q cold fear was growing. Fear Of the
deadly hatred growing between Stan
and Nick. When he was aroused like
this nothing could check STAINS violent
anger. In one Of those dreadful black
moods of his he might harm Nick.
This fear was with Judy constantly in
the next few days. But she carefully
hid 1t when she spoke to Nick on his
feeling between the two men any worse.
He made "a little fuss. You know
how Stan is, Nick. Spoiled. AS soon
as he thinks some one wants something
he has. 1t may not have any value in
his eyes until then, but he becomes af-
fronted. His sense Of possession is
stirred"
stan knows-we love each other.
Ttat want to marry you?" Nick asked.
He guessed it right away" Judy ad-
mitted, miserably. Mick, never
dreamed-I never dreamed he would
object. There hasn't been-love, real
love, between us for so long. thought
he would be glad. It's been such
farce"
II thought you were little overcon-
fident," Nick said quietly. His jawbone
showed white under the brown skin.
Nicks teeth clenched hard together.
He guessed more than Judy admitted.
This conversation took place in the
field beyond the live oaks where they
had met before. The country already
showed the approach Of the mild Cali
fornia Winter. Days were getting
shorter The afternoon shadows lay
sunlight was thinning and a smoky
light hovered under the oaks and be-
meath the clumps Of toyan trees whose
berries were turning red.
There was little of the sophisticated
lady about Judy today. A belted tan
polo coat, buttoned to her throat; tan
beret Of knitted wool, pulled down over
the golden-brown waves Of her hair.
made her seem a tall schoolgirl. Her
eyes were wide and anxious as they
searched Nick's face.
"Ill talk to Stan" Nick frowned and
bit his LIP. Maybe If we get to-
"Oh, mo-" Alarm leaping into Judy's
eyes. "Nick-please! Nick, promise