Evening star., 1933-09-05
INSTALLMENT XIII.

u II AIRY recovered consciousness.
M and opened her eyes slowly
V She stared when she looked
UP into the troubled face Of
Tommy.
For a minute she could not think why
he should be with her. Then she re-
membered-and tried to pull away. He
was holding her in his arms in the car
and had pulled up at the side OF q
strange road that she had never seen
before. It was in the country.
She struggled feebly-but Tommy
held her.
Don't try to get away. Mary. Il
guess you tainted. You'll be all right
in a minute-and I want to talk to
you"
It all came back to her clearly then
Tommy had spoiled her elopement with
Curt Little He and Curt had fought
all over the plane-and Tommy had
carried her to his car and driven away
Mary's face hardened.
II don't think we have anything
to say to each other. You've done
enough. Take me back"
But Tommy set his jaw determinedly
You're going to listen to all have
to say to you"
After the way you've acted. Oh,
Not a chance" Tommy smiled Bit
terly. He just fell down and hit his
head a little"
As Marys head cleared she could not
suppress a pleased little thrill that
gloWed warm inside of her. They had
fought for her-and Tommy had won
and carried her away in his arms. But
she had no intention of letting Tommy
know that, down in her heart, she was
a little glad-that she was proud ne
cared that much for her-enough to
risk his life to keep her from marrying
another man.
Suddenly Tommy strained her 70 him
She could feel his warm breath on her
neck
"Mary-Mary darling" he choked. II
you'd gone away with that old MIL
lionaire and married him would have
died. Oh-Mary. love you So
Her heart began to thump. She
wanted to tell Tommy she was glad he
had rescued her But her pride was toe
badly hurt. So she shrugged coolly:
"You-you've certainly acted as II
YOU loved me since you came out to
Hollywood The-the way you've stayed
away-and everything"
IF you won't try to get away I'll let
YOU sit up" he told her then. Il can
talk better when I'm not so close to
you. And I've got lot Of explaining
to do"
How can get away? don't even
know where we are"
Tommy released her and she sat up
primly.
Il rather think you should have few
things to say for yourself. And you'll
have plenty Of explaining to DO TO
Curt"
Tommys jaw hardened again.
Don't worry. When get through
you'll know he got Just what he de-
served"
II doubt that" Mary turned = white
profile and looked straight ahead.
"Well-go on. I'm listening"
Il have called you-several times. And
I've been to see you-often. but Curt
Little paid Freckle $4,000 to keep US
apart"
Mary's lip curled disdainfully.
DO YOU expect me to believe that?
think you've gone out OF your mind
Tommy Smith"
Tommy pulled something from his
pocket.
Then look at this"
Mary took 1t wonderingly. 1t was
the letter Curt had written Freckle
inclosing the check and telling her
about the part in "Hi-De-D." =.
When she got through reading It
she was white as marble. She handed
it back silently.
"You see I'm not lying-and I'm
not crazy. This afternoon when ]
dropped by to tell Freckle how I was
getting along on the Job she got for
me"
"Freckle got that job at Barbecue
Charles for you?" Mary asked IN
credulously.
"She did" Tommy laughed shortly.
"a few days ago went to the apart
ment to see you and passed OUT pc