Evening star., 1932-09-02

trying to quiet the thudding of her
heart. VIII you come mp"
Martin was shocked at the change
in Jean. She did look III. II hope YOU
don't mind my coming out like this-I
had to see you," he said.
"Of course. not-I think 1t Is nice.
Come and have cup of coffee"
Jean brought another cup from the
kitchen. glad of the opportunity ths
coffee afforded to hide her real emo
ti6ns.
Il am lazy she explained. And
I'm always conscience stricken when
stay away from the Office"
I'm glad you did stay away-you
look as If you should, indefinitely"
Il shouldn't like that love my
work" She lifted her cup but her
hand shook and she put it down again.
quickly. so that Martin would not no.
tice. But he saw. with concern. and
reached out to take her hand in his.
What's wrong, Jean? You know
you can depend on me to help. what
ever it is" he said. with the kindness
of brother.
"Oh. there just seems to have been
succession of things" she admitted.
And now that you are here, want to
apologize for leaving your place 80 un-
NCLculOlllOuo1y' Hdu NCIy lHlpOI-
tant personal reason for doing it
something I can't tell you about But
didn't come back to meet Mr.. Hill
!. really, didn't. He phoned after
got back and asked If he might call"
Martins eyes shone gladly, He be-
lieved Jeans explanation, and the
jealousy that had ranked ever since
was now instantly swept away.
Thank you for telling me that" he
said. 1T makes an incredible amount
of difference with me-"
I'm glad" She smiled at him. her
own relief almost too great to conceal.
Then, more to cover the slight awk-
wardness she felt following this ad-
justment, than with any definite idea
of what she was doing, she went on,
"Of course, Aubrey my broth
ers collapse upset me. too he.
is so young and talented. and I am 50
anxious to help him. I've planned on
going to college for a long time-was
going to sign up for some courses this
Fall, but now that I've found Aubrey,
I'm going to send him instead. I think
a man absolutely must have an educa-
ton, don't you?"
Martin was regarding her without
comprehension. I'm afraid don't
understand what you are talking about"
he said.
Didn't DR.. Junet tell you?"
mo, he told me nothing except that
you are i'll and he thought you needed
| a vacation"
Jean, sensing no reason why she
should not acknowledge the relation
ship to Aubrey Iris, told Martin the
entire story. =
Martin did not stay long after that.
naforo he Iaft ha told Iaan MT n Gonna
| back to the office until she was entirely
J well-to consider that her vacation with
pay started from that moment.
This overjoyed Jean, for it meant
that she would have the money to live
on while she was getting her divorce. All
| she needed now was a few hundred
dollars for travelling expenses and law
yer's fees
Martin drove back to the ofice and
sought DR.. Junet at once.
Why didn't you tell me this story.
about Jeans brother2" he demanded.
why did you keep such a significant
piece of information from nIe?"
II considered it Jeans personal bus
iness. II she chose to tell you, 1t Is all
right with me-"
What Is wrong with the boy7"
"A nervous breakdown. and q bad
| heart. I've got him over ut Willoughby
Keep He's in bad shape"
Don't you see. Vic, how this compli-
Gates the situation between Jean and
me?" -n.
He is only her half-brother be-
sides, don't gee that it changes things
| in the least"
If I could only be sure God!"
Martin buried his face in his hands for
an instant.
ITO Be Continued