Evening star., 1932-08-14
Continued from Tt0elfth Page


time to get in her good work he said:
We're leaving tonight, Marty Farrel.
Thought you might like to know it."
Marty regarded the little flower on her coat
sorrowfully.
And I thought I was being entertain
ing!" she sighed. While all the time he has
been scheming to get rid Of mel"
He said, helplessly, rs it absolutely necessary
for you to be lovelier every time 1 see you?"
Marty beamed That" she admitted modest
Iy "is the general plan When begin to pail
upon you it will be time to leave"
"And, if you don't pail, aren't you afraid
you'll have me your conScience?"
1t seemed she wasn't. MY conscience mur
INJURED Marty isn't even tw1nging. I'm having
a lovely time-and so are you if you'll only
admit it. And neither of is mortgaging the
future to pay for it"
Toby had his own opinions about that.
us it your idea" he asked curiously, that
the future can be disposed of so easy?"
1T is my idea" and Marty sighed for the
beauty of it-"that this is one of those mad
and lovely things that happens but once in a
lifetime and then only to very lucky people.
I've always held that two nice souls should be
able to come together-for brief time, OF
,ourse-and brew little magic With no after
maths. And no ensuing obligations"
Toby looked at her-at Marty of the mad
and lovely impulses-and suddenly he wanted
aftermaths and her obligations So confident
that she could walk into mans life-and turn
it topSy- -turvy-and then walk out of it again
to the tune of another mans wedding march!
Marty, with her little golden wings, and her
brewing of enchantment, and her lovely un-
forgetable mouth
A ND then he was kissing her, which was
probably just what Lancelot had done
under similar provocation. And he was say
ing rather unsteadily, II think that settles the
aftermath, don't you? And New York, too.
We're clearing out of here today"
Marty turned her back on him and walked
to the window. Having gazed on New York's
skyline for full minute, she said calmly:
It think you are right Undoubtedly we
should clear out of here today. I'll send wire
to Clay at once. How glad he will be-"
Toby stared at her. When a man kisses
another mans fancee-for this reason or that
he may expect anything along the emotional
line But he doesn't look for casual agree
ment that it is high time for the lady in ques-
ton to be going to her future husband.
He said, abruptly, "Marly-" and then he
said no more because Marty had turned from
the window and looking at him, and the
little golden wings her cheeks no longer
danced and her voice was cool as green linen.
Il think" said Marty Farrell that I am
tired of New York. If you don't mind, won't
bother with it today"
Toby crossed the room in three strides. He
caught Marty by the shoulders, and bent his
head until her eyes were forced to meet his.
"Mary Farrell he said, deliberately, have
you been flirting with me?"
Marty didn't move, but somehow she was out
from under his hands and saying, lightly
"One little kiss isn't flirting, Toby Wells.
And now, if you don't mind think I'll go and
start my packing"
Toby did mind, but it didn't make any diff
ference because before he could protest Marty
was gone, and from the room beyond came the
unmistakable sounds of packing
Toby waiting in the lobby to take Marty to
the station and the ten-thirty train-called,
cynicaly enough, the Rainbow-hoped that
by some stroke of good luck, Marty would dim
her radiance little now that she was headed
West.
But Marty when she met him, was the liv
ing proof that woman can be as casual as
troubadour and still be as disastrous as a
Michael Arlen heroine
She even said brightly, THE Rainbow, How
nice! Because the pot of gold is waiting at
the end of it, isn't it?"
1t was tactless, thought Toby grimly to call
Thaxter pot of gold.
ut happens that Chicago" he pointed out
evenly, SIS waiting at the end OF 1t. hope
you'll sleep we'll tonight"
Marty was sure she would. And, in truth,
when Toby looked at her across the breakfast
table the next morning, he had to admit that
she looked as if her dreams had been nice
ones.
He was relieved when they were at last
speeding out of Chicago after brief stopover.
He retreated to the smoking car. But he
couldn't stay there all the time, and the next
day, as he sat counting the mileposts. See
here" angrily, you can't marry a man you
don't love-"
Marty drew reluctant eyes from the mile
posts and turned them to Toby.
You'd be surprised she nurmured, "at
what girl can do once she's made up her
mind to it,
And loft to inter hat hoct