Evening star., 1933-03-12
INSTALLMENT XVIII.

n and June passed Linder as they
"A crossed the lobby. He turned
4 \ to look after them as they went
to the elevators. He recognized
Bruce, and whistled softly. nervousiy
hoping romance wasn't going to inter-
fere with June's service to the hotel.
Now we'll have nice visit" June
said when they reached her suite. Il
don't have to 60 down before /. But
believe me, I'll be busy from then on.
A woman's club is giving dance Sat-
urday night and have to plan every
thing for that, and there are bridge
parties for next week The most fun,
though, is my Between Six and Seven
Club. You must come to that some
night"
she asked, sitting down beside him on
the divan after ordering breakfast.
II believe I have. I had good rest,
which I certainly needed. But my mind
keeps going just the same. Sometimes
think can't stand 1t If Kay doesn't
turn up!"
Bruce, doesn't it seem odd that Ra-
mon doesn't communicate with you2
Wherever he is he must see the pa
pers-even abroad. And he loved her
If she isn't with him, he'd be worried
and try and find out more"
1T would seem SO. But I doubt his
love for her, and he may be laying low
purposely so as not to be drawn into
the search. As for Kay being in a po-
sition to communicate with me, don't
believe she is. Much as we quarreled
and as bitter as she felt toward me
there was a lot of affection between US.
can't believe she'd put me through
this hell deliberately-for a couple of
days, yes-until she got over being
angry. But not SO long as this"
June didn't think so either; her heart
was heavy. She opened the door for
until he had gone. Then June poured
the coffee, and they made a pretense OF
breakfast.
Has anything turned up here-any
new developments, I mean?" Bruce
asked
"Once, they thought they'd found the
jewels. Another time they had a girl
in Brooklyn hospital, suffering from
amnesia went to see her got Dr.
Henderson to take an interest in her,
and she is improving"
Nothing ever happens to people who
are as good as you. June. You are
always doing something nice for other
people. Kay and were selfish, darling
luIllcQ W llcI, lcL lllS dIu ldll dUOuI
her shoulder, his lips caress her hair.
great engulfing sobs that shook her
whole body. He held her close, begged
her not to cry. Its terrible to want
you as I do, for my very own-to love
you as I do-and not to be able to do
anything about 1t :"
"You love me, Bruce? Say it again!
Say you do love MEL
Love you? Dearest, why do you
ask? You must know am mad about
you; that If it weren't for Kays disap-
pearance I'd have asked you to marry
me long ago!"
June was laughing and crying at the
same time now. Il thought you
didn't care. Tell me again :"
But, honey, it's because love you
so much that I'm nearly distracted.
If it were just myself who had to suffer
it wouldn't matter so much; but to
have this happen to you-it's ter
Bruce, what are you talking about? i?
Isn't it wonderful to have each other?"
1T will be. sweetheart, If the time
ever comes when that is possible-just
Heaven on earth :"
But what is to PREVENT" A great
fear gripped her.
Kay, Of course. I thought you'd un-
derstand. I've got to devote every ounce
of my energies to finding her, or at
least discovering what happened to her.
In the meantime ="
Bruce! In the meantime, why can't
We have our happiness"
He got up then, walked about the
room, crossed to the window and stood
staring out. He was evidently strug-
Cling to retain his composure. When
he turned, his face was whittier than
she had ever seen 1t.
June, do you remember what an
ass I used to be-my theories about
love? I thought it was a physical mad
ness that could be cured. I never
dreamed it would be like this. Your
song expresses it--some one to love
that's the important thing-some one
who Is part Of your mind and soul as
well as your body-I know now that
it's the greatest treasure life could
hold! But was wise guy! I didn't
believe in love. And because I didn't
personally believe in it, I wasn't big
enough to realize that there might be
such thing after allan emotion that
couldn't comprehend-something my
sister knew about. No, I was SO sure.
1 suppose this had to come to me as
punishment for being such a narrow
minded fool! You remember all
this :"
"Oh, yes, I remember quite well. "
June spoke bitterly.
And because I took this arrogant,
know-it-all attitude, my sister is prob
ably dead today-maybe murdered. :"
Bruce! I can't stand it," June
cried, holding her hand over her mouth
to keep back the torrent Of accusing
words that strove for utterance.
Listen, June, we've got to get this
over. Do you know what would have
happened to me if had actually killed
Kay? I might have gotten by on a
plea of insanity-maybe I'd have just
been locked up for life. But as it is,
there's no jury to sentence me ~
Don't say it don't say it ~
II must sentence myself-atone for
the wrong I've done. That means fore
going your love-denying myself what
I denied Kay :. until find her :.
"Oh, you are horribly selfish! You
think only of yourself! Why should
have to suffer this way-be deprived OF
all that makes life bearable, just so you
can 60 on with some more of your crazy
quixotic ideas!"
But, June, you don't want me with
this thing hanging over me-with every
minute Of my life devoted to the grue-
some business of unravcIlng what may
be murder mystery! I couldn't dc
such a horrible thing to you'll love
you too deeply. Why. you'd come
to hate me-our love would die. >
II do want you! We could be happy
, I'd teach you to laugh again-show yol
what it means to make other people
happy instead of always think
ing of yourself. Bruce, darling
don't :" she sobbed.
He put his arms about her and drew
her down on the couch. Dear, brave
little girl. You make it very diff1cul
| for me. Don't you know that I wan
YOU as much-more-than you do me,
I'd give all I possess if could take vol
out and marry you right now-hav'
you for my very own before the SUI
sets tonight"
She turned in his arms, clasped hi