Evening star., 1932-09-11

Snut Tor themselves. II you, with your
possibilities, can't go straight, how can
I ever hope to make anything out Of
these derelictsi"
He bowed his head in his hands in a
gesture Of utter defeat He was beaten
man, and Jean could have scourged her
self for her part in bringing a man of
his fiber to such mental pass.
Martin, darling I'm sorry
I'll try so hard e. I'll be good; please
forgive me-"
Eyes. Jean, of course, I forgive you.
Let's not talk about it. Come, it is late;
have dinner engagement"
They went down in the elevator to-
gether, went out Of the building to-
gether and down the wide steps.
Martin lifted his hat and said good
by. Jean never forgot that horrible
moment, his red hair glistening in the
light from the street lamp. "Good-by,"
he said, and walked over to the curb
where his car was parked
Jean stumbled blindly in what direc-
ton she did not know, did not care.
This was the end of everything.
Jean Jean :" Martins hand
was on her arm, his arm supporting her.
Come and get in the car" She let him
and tuck the robe about her. They
drove blindly. Unconsciously Martin
crossed the Queensborough Bridge,
cleared the traffic, drove on and on.
Jean sat silent, not knowing or car
ing where they went. Neither Of them
spoke. She looked at her wrist watch. 1t
was nearly o'clock. II must tele-
phone" she said. Marcia and Aubrey
will be worried
He stopped at a drug store in Hemp
stead and she called home. The nurse
answered I'm on Long Island" she
said, with Mr.. Webster. don't know
when I'll be home-it may be very late.
If Miss Eagan has to go out, Will you
stay with the baby? Thank you"
She got back in the car and they
drove on. Now Martin seemed to have
q destination in mind. Presently Jean
realized that they were going to South
ampton, but she said nothing. The
house was closed for the season, she
knew.
at don't know why I am doing this"
he said, at last. Maybe it's because
the only happiness we ever had was
down here -
Jean said nothing. She felt dead:
all feeling gone. She was also cold and
numb when they arrived. Inside, the
house felt damp and cold.
st was a fool to bring you here"
Martin said. Come upstairs to the
iibrary-it will be easier to heat. Now.
keep your coat on for bit until
build fire"
He went downstairs and presently
came back with an armful OF wood.
She watched him build the fire, watched
the flames leap and crackle over the
dry wood, reached out her cold feet to
their warmth
Drink this; it will warm you"
She took the glass and felt the sting
fng LIQUOR stir her to life again. Now
she arose to take off her coat and Mar
tin helped her. "Are you hungry?" he
asked.
''No, are you?"
"No. but I think I'll go down and
rummage-there's always stuff; bring
people down here sometimes during the
Winter. Suppose you lie down here
and rest while I rustic some food"
He pushed couch nearer the fire
and piled it with pillows. This is
nice" she smiled, and stretched her
self out with real gratitude. He brought
a robe and covered her, but he did not
kiss her. did not show her a sign of
affection. Jean closed her eyes YEARLY.
She dozed. and when she awoke, Mar
tin, who had changed his heavy shoes
for soft-soled slippers, was setting
table before the fire. "It smells good"
she said. What have you?"
That's the chefs secret, young lady.
Come and see if you can do 1t Justice
After dinner they talked. Jean found
herself telling him about her father,
her strange life. with him as almost
her sole companion, of the death-bed
marriage with Jim, her terror !. the
impulse that had made her take the
money.
Martin listened, overwhelmed with
pity one instant. disbelieving the next.
She had deceived him SO often E.
yet he wanted to believe every word
she told him . wanted to take her
in his arms and hold her forever.
He replenished the fire. Jean was
beside her, watching her lovely face,
adoring her, yet holding back Then.
somehow, she was in his arms, her
lips on his All their problems fell
away The bliss of that night was to
stay with Jean as long as she lived.
Dawn was coming in the windows.
Jean heard stealthy footsteps on the
stairs. Then the door was thrust
violently open, and Aubrey, wild-eyed
and melodramatic, burst in.
You beastl' he cried, and with this
was upon Martin, pummelling his face.
until the older man with quick twist
grasped the thin body of the boy and
pushed him away.
1t was over quickly. Jean. frantic
rushed to Aubrey's side. Dear, don't
Aubrey, please
But he thrust her aside, and made
q lunge at Martin The two, unequally
matched, grappled, knocking over a
lamp and smashing a priceless vase
Martin, not wanting to hurt him, held
him IN his powerful grip, but stepped
on jagged piece of the broken vase
and with a groan sank to the floor,
dragging the boy with him. Aubrey
in twisted, spasmodic gesture.
darling! Speak to mel" But the boy
lay inert. Martin, he's deadl Oh,
God. you've killed him!"
mo, Jean. don't be frightened" Mar
tin said. Call Victor at his apartment
and tell him to bring some bandages
and stuff and come down here as soon
as he can make it. Don't give him any
information over the phone, except
what I've told you
She ran to the phone and forced
herself to speak calmly DIR. Junet
this is Jean-Martin and 1 are in
Southampton. and we need your help
come right away and brirI some dress
ings please hurry"
jean. what is Wrong-tell me-"
mo, no! Don't ask questions. Mar
tin says to come at once"
Jean sped back to Martins side Aub-
rey lay Just where he had fallen, sc
deathly still. She must do something
TO revive him. She found Martin ir