Evening star., 1932-11-16
.L Lcoaiiy.Iy
CHAPTER "a.
ALONE AT LAST.

ALONE Al LAoI.
%HE hour was shortly after 10
The boat sailed at midnight.
Give felt like q prisoner VIII
had served his sentence. H
hadn't realized how bitterly hi
personality had been curtailed till theil
hand baggage had been carried dowr
to the waiting taxi.
"Good-by, little nest, where we've
been so happy" Santa kissed slim
fingers to bare floors and sheeted fur'
niture
Gives heart whispered. "And maI
you burn while we're gone"
In the taxi his spirits rose.
whats the matter with you?" Santa
rested her hand on his knee. You're
bouncing"
He barged into her, all but humping
her nose.
Our honeymoon's commencing"
She pushed him aside.
Goose! You're crazy"
Nevertheless, his excitement infected
her. Having made sure that theii
trunks we're aboard, they went on deck
AS they stood by the gangplank she
logged him.
when you didn't follow me? What
a chase you've led mel"
Hope I've been worth while"
"So-so," he shrugged his shoulders.
"As an example of impassioned love-
making that's not so hot" she grinneo
impertinently.
IF I stayed at boiling point. I'd
evaporate," he retorted.
The band had ceased playing. Tugs
fused about the liner, nosing her into
nf 1tNn
started churning.
How about bed?" he suggested.
I've only you to protect me-" she
whispered irrelevantly.
She uttered his thought. Having
been married three months, at last they
were alone.
Lights of New York faded like bale
full stars. The little white cabin in
starrtly became home to him. The rea-
son was not far to seek. He had paid
for it. He'd stipulated that she was tc
be his guest Even her letter of credit
he had provided.
"Jinks! It's comfy"
Remains to be seen," she responded
whether I can lift my head from the
pillow tomorrow. On my last voyage
which was to Havana"
I've heard about it." He cut her
short.
1t was blue, Summer crossing. Next
morning the ocean was still as a mill
pond. Having breakfasted in Their
berths and dressed lazily, they strollec
and were enticed to join in a game Of
Switchboard. BY evening they were
known as the bridal couple.
Then London. In setting to which
they both were strange, his errand gave
them their only importance. He wa,
up early. All day he was absent. He
returned to the hotel to find her eager
Business concluded, conversation
turned on which of all the wonder
spots they should select to spend theil
holiday. Because quite a number Of
their fellow passengers had been bound
for st. Jean de Luz they chose 1t, too
Spain across the border, the Cole de
Gascogne at their front door, Basques;
bull fights, cork forests, the PyreneeS
rising fantastic.
The day before they left England
they paid hurried visit to Stratford-
on-Avon. When they arrived 1t seemed
too silly to waste the sunshine prying
Instead they hired canoe.
In the green remoteness of tinklins
waters and lush meadows, the concrett
VI CltleS SttHlcQ nlQeOuSDeSS imagined
From pillows among which she nestled
Santa gazed fondly at Give. The merry
stiffness was molding them into a com.
mon oneness.
This time six months ago she hat
been living separated In Chicago, hel
future blank. As though a bandagl
had been torn from her eyes, she wa
seeing all she owed him.
Without waiting, she asked:
Were you happy in the apartment
Then you knew wasn't?"
Il didn't; I do now. Why weren'
you?"
You acted as though you'd bought
me at a pet shop"
WAS 1t as bad as that?"
'Fraid 1t was"
She raised herself on her elbow.
You were as much my husband ther
as you are now. Why didn't you EN-.
ploy cave-nan tactics?"
Because you weren't as much my
wife then as you are now"
She frowned laughingly.
Darling, you don't look a sap, and