Evening star., 1933-10-25

the second place. you don't know that
it is you, the woman. he wants. Maybe
he wants your help Maybe there's
some way he figures you'll be useful
In that case I'd advise you to think the
proposal over well and. before accept
ing, to drive good bargain"
Drive a bargain! But I'd be selling
my--myself!"
whats shocking about that? You've
been selling parts of yourself-your
hands, your strength, along with your
brains-and you've been larreling with
the pay Here you have a bid in an
other market. The price may be high,
bu. so is the pay, and it's the kind of
pay you want most. Is for Jeffrey-if
I were your age I'd take him with or
without bonus. Even in my advanced
stage of dotage, I'm hallway in love
with him.
On the topmost deck of the ship.
Same stars Same brush of Summer
breeze cool with the sea. Same moon
maid running waves with silver-gilt.
Same man. Same maid.
"Sue. you've thought about last
night?" Jeffrey shattered a silence that
was becoming oppressive. Il don't
want to press you for an answer. but
it's important The element of time
means lot"
Sue turned her head so that the cool
from the sea would flow over her
cheeks. her lips, her brow. She must
be calm. clear, concise
NATURALLY It's not the sort OF
proposition one could dismiss. At least
one in my position could not or would
not dismiss it. Big business Is bound 70
intrigue a business woman, ana your
offer has all the earmarks OF Dig ouSi-
ness. Would you mind telling me why
you made the offer?"
Jeffrey reclaimed a blanket from a
nearby chair. spread it over Sues knees.
The breeze was blowing chilly.
Quite a story" he said, drawing MS
chair so close to Sues that their arms
touched. I'll spare you the details
Time enough for them if you're inter-
ested. Roughly sketched. it's this: In
seven more days I will be 27 years
young and, believe it or not. as things
60 I don't feel day over 80. / nave
reason to believe I am something OF
constitutional bachelor Most unfortu-
nate, because unless am able to pro-
duce an authentic wife between now
and the dawn Of my twenty-seventh
birthday, will be, to all lntents ana
prospect doesn't bother me- I have an
idea it would be an interesting expert
ment. What does bother me IS that II
l default on the wife, very consider
able amount of money. which can be
made to serve inestimable good. will
fall into the hands of persons who are
utterly unworthy and who will divert 1t
to work the maximum emount OF evil"
Sue stirred. Preposterou-! Story
book stuff A worn-out fiction. shoe
this stranger was trying fit on her
foot He was giving her line. OF
course. Did he consider her a moron,
to be hooked by such ancient bait?
Il know what you're thinking about" ="
Jeffrey laughed mirthlessly.
You're wondering how I have the
nerve to pull wheeze with whiskers
on it. I don't blame you. Only it so
happens that what I have told you is
true-it's considerably more than mil
lion-dollar fact"
Sue sensed the ring Of truth in his
voice. Jeffrey was not handing her a
line. He was reciting a comedy. a
drama. tragedy even. from real life
The armor of indifference, or defense
slipped from her shoulders
But" she threw off the blanket and
drew back her knee to encircle it with
money and what would happen to 1t.
why haven't you married."
Jeffrey leaned forward, pulled at the
wry lock of hair on the crown of his
head.
You're guilty of a stock question,
Sue" he said. My friends have asked
it. The executor of the estate has
asked it. Keen legal minds have asked
it. It's the eighth wonder of the par
ticular world into which I was born.
The reason is: I haven't wanted to
marry Reasonable enough, isn't IT."
"Quite. Marriage is a matter one
should be left free to settle for one
self
so I figure it. But my uncle Girls