Evening star., 1932-05-14
TANGLED LIVES
-c~-,~..-~r--~~~B By ANN FORESTER -~~~~>->~-~~~~~-
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CHAPTER XXI.
By ANN FORESTER
Author Of Spite Wife ="

/HR RETTY girl, isn't She? cool
voice inquiring above her. A
hand. reaching over, picking
i up the snapshot, handing it
to Joyce
Joyce looked up into Jim Keith's
amused dark eyes.
Hot color flooding the girls cheeks.
She was angry at herself for blushing
so guiltily. Angry at the little embar-
rassed stammer in her voice.
Please don't think I was-was spy
ing" She made desperate effort at
composure Il couldn't help seeing the
picture and I recognized her. It's
Natalie Cameron, isn't it?"
Jim Keith looked at Joyce with deep
ened interest. Yes. You know her.
BY George, that's right! You have
the same name, haven't you? A rela-
ton. by any chance?"
"Of my husbands. :. His niece y
"Oh! :" A brief little pause when
they seemed taking each others meas
ure. Across the room Kitty was finger
ing jades, impervious to any silent
drama.
Il met Miss Cameron on a couple of
her trips to the islands. She visits
friends in Honolulu, you know. This
picture was taken at the time OF her
last visit. She was good enough to send
me this copy
II knew that she had been over
to the islands" Joyce managed to say
in the pause which followed. For some
deep-buried reason the picture OF Nat
allie Cameron had completely unnerVed
her In that moment she had ceased
to be Mrs. Roger Cameron, poised and
serenely conscious of her wealth and
lposition She had become red-headed
Joyce Allen of the Commercial House
Joyce Allen, who had so pasSionately
hated Natalie Cameron.
When I answer Miss Cameron's let
ter I'll tell her that we met" the man
was saying. She'll be glad to know
that"
So Jim Keith was writing to Natalie
sudden red flash of rage running
through her. 1t took all of Joyce's will
power to manage a cool little laugh.
Her eyes Knocked at him, cynical, inso-
lent.
Don't be too sure of that, Mr. Keith.
If you must have the bitter truth Miss
Cameron and l are not on the best of
terms"
Joyce's head was thrown back. Hard
little white teeth cleaning between her
slightly parted lips. Like a beautiful
little cat-thought the man. A little
fury of a cat. waiting to strike. His
mind flashed to the imagined trouble.
Beyond all doubt, Natalie Cameron had
resented it when her wealthy old uncle
married this beautiful gold digger.
II see. :" Something of the light
of the curl of his mouth which filled
the girl with a desire to hurt him.
Il doubt if you do" Joyce said in an
icy drawl, but it's really unimportant."
He Redeemed, so obviously had her
tone implied that it was Jim Keith's
viewpoint which was unimportant.
"Kitty!" Joyce called sharply, don't
you think we should be going?" I
know that we interrupted Mr.. Keith's
work"
Joyce tossed the snapshot to the desk
and turned so impetuously that her
black draperies fioated with the move
ment. The tenseness of the moment
was mercifully relieved by Kitty's
hearty good night and fervant thanks
Jim Keith had given her seal of
carved white jade which she had ad-
mired.
TITS a night I'll never forget" said
grateful Kitty, clutching the precious
JADE to her bosom, as she turned in the
doorway.
Its a night I'll never forget"
Jim Keiths eyes were warm, looking
down into Kittys honest blue gaze.
Then they grew strange and remote as
they brushed the face of the girl.
The fire had died from Joyce's heart.
She looked white and very tired Her
fingers were icy as they brushed his
hand for moment in good-by.
Slowly the man returned to the room.
which seemed strangely empty now that
his guests had left. The flash of some
thing white on the floor caught his eye.
He stopped and picked it up.
The snapshot of himself and Natalie
Cameron. He remembered the moment
Joyce had turned and called to Kitty
remembered how her dress had whisked
with the quick motion. Undoubtedly