Evening star., 1932-08-25
The Runaway Wife
By VERNE CONNELLY

following morning, but managed to sub
due the self in her while she w-estled
with placement difficulties, and sought
to give a word of encouragement to
those who failed to meet the employ
ment requirements of Columbus.
Before noon, she called Warren Hill
and asked him to wait luncheon fo- her.
They met in the lunch room Of the In
stitution and sought q quiet corner
table.
I've been offered another job" Jean
said, abruptly, after they had ordered.
Martin Webster wants me to take
charge Of interviewing at his voca-
tional bureau-it looks like an oppor-
tunity"
Hiils eyes held sudden spasm OF
alarm II can't let you go" he said.
IF it is money. I'll go to bat for you
and get you raise"
II don't think they'd ever meet
How much?"
Double my salary here"
His eyes narrowed with suspicion. Il
never heard of such thing--it isn't
reasonable. Who approached you
Junet?"
Il don't know who he is. IT was
Mr. Webster"
webster! The plot thickens, Junet
is the psychiarist and general manager
of the bureau" st..
though I'd forgotten foc the moment
But what is so strange about Mr..
Webster offering me q job?"
TT isn't the way he works. he
doesn't mix in like that, even this
vocational bureau of his Is pet: HOW
long have you known him? Wnere
did you meet him?"
"a long time ago-Ive only seen
him two or three times"
Warren Hills suspicious were now
thoroughly aroused. and his Jealousy as
well, for he was in love with Jean, ana
! had quite determined that he would
marry her. Now. a millionaire was cut
ting into the picture with what looked
TO him like a bribe. Naturally, ne
appreciated the fact that a girl like
| lean was not to be won in the usual
way: that is. If marriage was not an
objective. her confidence would nave
to be slowly developed. He did not
credit Webster with altruism, nor even
good intentions.
Jean saw the obvious struggle he was
undergoing, and was sorry. She had
not dreamed he would care IKE THIS;
I'm going to telephone Webster" ne
said, finally "I'll see what defense ne
has to offer"
but what right have you to do that
THE right of caring for you, Jean.
you YOU I next year III De in position
| to marry you and "
"Don't, please am queer, know.
but am not going to get married. ever
you mean I'm not the one :. you
lust can't care about me? l suppose
i've known it all along, and that's Wny
I've been afraid to risk telling you.
IT can't explain, really. I'm inter-
ested only in business, and an education.
I feel so ignorant Warren, l DIDN'T
tell you the truth about my age-Im
not "a only 49,"
He laughed. II won't have you hung
for that, nor quit loving you either
II would never have gotten decent
Job If I had told the truth-you know
you wouldn't have put me in charge Oh
Maybe not. But that only goes to
prove there is nothing in age-it Is the
mental development. From what you
exceptional, with man OF your 1atner
intellect"
That's true, but need the con-
yentional training that Ill get at
Columbia-that Is the real opportunity
Mr.. Webster is giving me-short hours
and enough money:
"I see You've already made up your
mind :"
Jean hadn't realized it until that
moment. Then. she saw clearly now
foolish she would be to refuse. Yes,
and / wish you wouldn't mention 1t to
Mr.. Webster. I'll stay here as much
longer as you need me. until some one
is trained to take my place"
you won't stop seeing me, Will you?
Promise me that please"
"Of course-I'll want to see you. I'd
miss it terribly If ! didn' And don't
forget our Sunday aftern0ons-always
from 5 until 8 4. and as mucn
longer as you'd like to stay"
"IIl come at 8 -. don't care Tor
Marcia's mobs. always have a feeling
that some of those young doctors are
apt to seize me as a likely specimen Tor
experimentation and carry me on to
laboratory"
Were branching out to include the
arts. There Is painter now and an
TOO much competition. Say, will
you go to the theater with me Saturday
night?" ..
Il promised Marcia I'd 60 to Long
Island house party"
(To Be Continued)