Evening star., 1933-11-05
INSTALLMENT XIX.

aware OF WOTlQ SlCkeulIlSly ~
distorted and out Of alignment
~ There were. for example, two
Mathildas. two blurred and wa
vering Mathildas. at one side OF her
bed. On the other side were two
Jeffreys who somehow blended into each
other and receded when she tried to
focus on them.
Did I sturnble?" she asked family,
"or was it an earthquake?"
Mathilda held a glass to Sues lips.
The content was pungent in her nos
trils
Don't think about it," Jeffrey said,
leaning over her. Just be quiet and
try to rest"
Please tell me-" Sue, insisting. The
blurs of faces were taking form. Il
was hurrying down the stairs to meet
you at the Plaza Towers, JEFF. when
suddenly" Nausea. The blurs COM
ing back.
Minutes futtered by Sue could almost
hear their wings. Warmth began to
flow through her. and strength. She
raised herself, sat up in bed.
1--WE got to know what happened"
she said. aware Of damp hair and a
compress bandaged to the back of her
head
You got a pretty bad blow" Jeffrey
piled pillows behind her. 1T must
have been a glancing blow or you'd be
cut yet. There's wall niche near the
top of the stairs. AS long as I can
remember there's been a marble bust
Of Uncle Grizzly in that niche. Some
thing dislodged the bust 1t toppled
cut and caught you as you were half
way down the stairs
Il came along" said Mathilda, "just
in time to see you and Uncle Grizzly
being carried upstairs. You'll have to
learn to keep on your feet, my girl
This business OF sprawling over decks
and down stairs will not do How's
the head?"
Sort of fuzzy, but on the mend I
see only one of you now-and of jeff.
When did all this happen?"
About two hours ago." Jeffrey con-
suited his watch. ''Mathilda phoned
me at the Plaza Towers Funny thing
about that bust. Persons tells me he
examined the bust himself only a few
over the house 1t was firm at that
time. He busted off Grizzly and
anchored him in the depression for
the base of the bust"
Persons probably don't know what
IdueO
to give him enough anchorage" Ma
thilda offered What's worrying me
now Is the wedding we were going to
attend this afternoon. / suppose you
both realize the deadline for that we'd
dlng Is only few hours aWay-that
tomorrow is Jeffrey's twenty-seventh
birthday"
There's nothing We can do about it,
Jeffrey stroked Sues hand. Sues all
right, or she will be shortly. Nothing
else matters"
Sue, holding tightly to Jeffrey's hand
Fate. Was fate conspiring with those
others to defeat her, to cheat Jeffrey2
We're attending that wedding to-
day. Sue, pushing the bandage from
her brow SO that the compress fell to
the bed. jeff, you mentioned a back
exit from the house. one the servants
seldom use. We'll use that exit We'll
wait until Beas guests are requiring
the attention of the servants and then
VII slip out
You can't do it." Jeffrey shook his
head. The doctor ordered no excite
nlent. There might be slight con-
cussior. I can't let you risk it." Firmly.
We've got to risk it," Sue, coaxing.
Were gamblers, jeff, gamblers with
fate. What's a little bump on the
head?"
jeffrey compromised, reluctantly.
Tomorrow, then. If you're up to 1t.
Tomorrow will be time enough"
Tomorrow might do. then again it
pen in the meantime? Mathilda. make
jeff understand We don't dare delay"
Sue crimsoning She had heard the
irs!stence in her own voice. She was
urging Jeffrey to marry her Insisting
that he marry her now, today.
OF course" she stammered, ''if
you'd rather Motif you'd like to drop
the whole plan-'
Jeffrey's hand, closing over hers.
You know I haven't changed-my
plan" he said. ITS been changed for
me. If that bust had done YOU
his lips paled-"can't you see how
1t is?"
Sue had that impulse again-to
smooth the stubborn lock at the crown
of his head. More awry now than ever
she had seen it. The misery in his
eyes was an active ache in her throat.
After ALL" she insisted, you couldn't
help that bust's falling-you didn't
throw Uncle Grizzly at me-"
Suddenly Sue stopped, breath sus-
pended Her eyes fled to Jeffrey'S, as
his fled to hers Fled and held. Actu-
ated by the same damning thought, the
same abhorent suspicion-the bust had
not fallen 1t had been thrown from
the top of the stairs.
Sue. did you notice any one in the
hall?" Jeffrey's voice was thick.
No The hall was quite dark. The
lights had gone out. I'd like to make
sure. though, that accidents are not a
habit in this house" Sues lips twitch-
ing please go into the other room.