Nogales international., 1933-04-29

WHO Was LIllS ILldIlI w IldL Qla 4AC
expect from her?
He was older than Neil Packard,
she realized -older, and wiser. His
dark eyes had heavy, dropping lids and
his mouth a slightly one-Slded twist to
the full lips. The nose was straight and
clean cut, his chin narrow, while, like
Neil, his face was evenly tanned. He
was dressed in golf togs and had an
unmistakable air of smartness about
him
''I called up while you were asleep"
he went on, pulling out a silver cigar
,eftc case. "did Roxie tell you? This
morning" Without taking his eyes
from her, he put two cigarettes between
his lips and lighted them expertly, both
from the same fame. Distinguishing the
match with quick shake of his hand,
he offered her one of the cigarettes.
From his automatic manner, it was
plain that this was an accepted pro-
Ceciure
II +. don't care for anyhow"
faltered Joyce, making no move to take
the cigarette and surreptitiously at
tempting to push her chair farther
back. away from him. He was SO close
that it seemed to her he must be able
to look right through her eyes and read
her confused thoughts.
"For Heavens sake, Frills, what's
the matter? Better smoke; your nerves
need steadying. How do you feel"
"Well, I have a headache, naturally
and / feel sort of shaken up" re-
piled. Joyce, dropping her eyes before
his ardent gaze. ;,
"You're damn lucky it's not worse"
he remarked forcefully. what you need
is a good stiff drink right now, and I'm
going to give it to you. Got some real
Canadian rye here, scme Jake Town
send got me-" He drew out large
silver flask, unScreWed and filled the
top and handed it to her. She accepted
it without protest, silently. Perhaps it
would help steady her nerves..
Raising the flask high in one hand,
he placed his other hand on her knee,
and pressing it with a sudden strong
clasp that made her vince, he exclaimed
softly, Here's to Frills, the most mar
velouS girl in the worldp
Ioyce smiled an embarrassed &C
acknowledgement and gulped the liquor
down hastily
Feel better?" he inquired, still
watching her closely. 'Lord, Frills, |
was in a torment till | found out you
weren't seriously hurt If Neil doesn't
take Fire Queen away where you can't
get at her, Pm going to do it myself.
That beast ought to be killed, and you
know it. If you weren't such a stubborn
little devil, you'd admit it."
= lToyce now knew without doubt that |
this man was "Mait." His assured tone
sent a trernor of apprehensive terror
through her.
did Neil get away this morning ?"
he asked, Ticking ashes from his Gig
arctic. > ..,
-"Oh, yes"
81 was afraid he might cut out the
trip on account of your accident, and. do
us out Of our bit. You'll be all right to
90 with the crowd Wednesday,
Joyce's heart sank. Go where? "Oh,
no, can't. I :. don't feel up to
going anywhere. :" she answered
quickly.
Frank perplexity mingled with real
alarm swept over the mans tace: Ju-
das, you act queer this morning Never
knew you so quiet and so queer:
Toyce was thinking desperately, u
must get rid of him. | can't stand much |
more of this sort of thing. =. I've got
to do something quick. I'll make use of |
a little Temperament guess"
7 She Jumped to her feet and ex-
claimed. "Oh, let me alonel Can't you
see I'm sicEP And if you don't like it,
you can :. you can -" She taltered'
her burst of courage evaporatlng sud
denly, and she turned toward the door,
her one thought to escape.
.e"I can go to hell" supplied Maitland;
He laughed, without rancor,. and looked
relieved. "Fine That sounds more like
you, darling" :,
He followed her with long strides
into the living room. Joyce, confident
now that he understood he had been
dismissed and was about to leave,
turned and held out her hand to him.
Instead of taking it, however. ne
came close to her and swept her into
his arms. 'Listen, sweetheartl I'll
come tonight-up through the garden:
:" Between the rapidly muttered
words, his kisses fell on her neck, and
face with scorching touch and ardour:
Toyce was aghast to find she could
NOT struggle free from his grip.
At last. her unresponsiveness and her
feeble efforts to free herself seemed