Evening star., 1933-03-05
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INSTALLMENT XII.

INSTALLMENT XII.
AY had been missing more than
Ii week. The police of an entire
n nation. as well as the press.
i y were exhausting every resource
to solve the mystery. Up to
now, every clue had proved false. But
any hour the truth might become
known. It was this that Mortified
June, brought her nerves to point
where she jumped when the telephone
. rang or a maid knocked on the door.
That was the beginning Of great
loneliness, which ended in one of the
strangest set CT circumstances that a
girl fresh from the country ever en-
countered. When the dinner hour
came the night after Bruce sailed. she
experienced for the second time that
appalling feeling that comes around
this time to one alone in New York
any large city, in fact-between 6
and Z.
The next evening was worse. and at
the END of the third day, June was
at the breaking point The thought
Of eating alone terrified her. She put
on her hat and went to sit downstairs.
She bought paper In the lobby, then
Pretending to read, she was, in reality
studying the people. many Of whom
were evidently in the same mood she
was
1t was men, for the most part. who
sat there. She had no thought OF
making casual acquaintances. She was
there because 1t was the center OF
activity.
She was trying to bring herself to
the point where she would 60 up the
few steps that led into the big, cold.
main dining ROOM But she would
rather go without food: it was tasteless,
mSavored by companionship.
Then, the strange, rather weird, thing
happened which was to lead to such
singular changes in her life. A man
with black, crinkly hair, light blue
eyes and q tiny mustache sat IN the
watched him take a handkerchief from
his pocket, and surreptitously behind
the barricade Of his paper, wipe his
eyes. They were red and bloodshot.
Also, he did not turn his opened paper.
She noted his long hands, the sensitive
fingers.
Then she gave a sudden gasp OF
horror. The paper was still held be-
fore his face, with one hand. The
other held a small vial, which he was
placing to his lips.
Intuitively, she reached forward and
her hand closed over the bottle.
DON'T" she said
1t all happened SO suddenly, yet
quietly, that the incident went un-
noticed. But simultaneously with
June's reaching for the bottle heavy
hand was laid on the mans shoulder
Don't make a fuss said house
detective Come back here to the of
fice-I want to talk to you Clutch
ing the bottle, June followed, closing
the door behind her.
Now, what's the idea tryin to croak
in the middle of hotel lobby! de-
manded the officer, towering over the
shaking figure of the man slumped
in a leather armchair. His forehead
was beaded with perspiration. the
bloodshot eyes were glazed with misery
Don't be cruel" June exclaimed
Hes unhappy
You'd better be after thankin' the
young lady for savin' your life-if it's
worth savin'-" the detective said.
1T isn't" tho man muttered. mop
ping his wet brow with fine linen
handkerchief.
Come now, what's the idea Of sittin
down in the middle of lot of folks
and takin' poison?"
The truth is" the man blurted out
prodded by questioning, Il was too
damned lonesome to stay by myself
long enough to commit suicide
You can't get away with that, bud
How do you know he couldn't be
that lonesome?" demanded June. I'm
lonesome myself"
The man Strengthened himself and
looked at June for the first time. Then
you know" he began slowly, when
dinner time comes"
"Yes, I do; but wouldn't take my
Maybe you have hope -. I've lost
everything :"
The depression. eh?" queried the
officer, a little more kindly. 1T gets
lot Of good ones. Are you a guest
Of the hotel?"
Eyes, I'm in 264o. My name is
Hart" He stood up. eyeing June with
the bottle in her hand.
The offcer reached for it. "Give
! 1t to me. Missile won't be needin' 1t
in this hotel. You better check out,
Hart"
Let him alone" June said "I
think you are making a mistake Mr.
Hart. would you like to take me to
dinner in the grill downstairs?"
Nov, Miss, a nice girl lihe you
shouldn't be takin' up with q suicide
Il don't think he's a bum. oficer
Something has made him terribly un-
| happy-can't you see? Will you Gomez"
! ha od hn 1off ~
Hart.
You are very kind" he answered
But why do you bother about me?"
II came from a small town-its .
habit. We do bother about people, and
help them if we can
The officer looked from one to the
other, perplexed. well. see that you
don't 60 gettin' fresh with the young
lady" he said severely.
Il won't. promise you. I appreciate
the fact that she is giving me the
memory Of a great human kindness to
take with me into the next world"
Hart squared his shoulders as he
held open the door for June to pass
out. THANK you for your courtesy
he said to the officer, ironically. and a
grace your hotel-at least, not tonight
If. you'll be good enough not to report
| the matter"
"Thatll be all right. sir. guess
you've got your senses, now., Good
luck to you, sir"
Downstairs in the quiet atmosphere
of the English grill they found q cor
ner table. Not more than q dozen peo-
pie were In the place.
AS he ordered the steaks June hao
recommended his hands visibly shook
She said nothing for a few minutes,
| giving him time to collect himself
| Don't talk now-drink your bouillon
first" June urged. You haven't beer
eating, have you?"
mo. Not for days. Before that
sober, I never seem to forget :"
| "There are q LOT worse .fhinrs thar