Evening star., 1934-03-31
CHAPTER XIX.
TRAGIC INCIDENT.


TINE sloping green roof, the slim
pillars. the green shutters, the
tiny balcony jutting out above
i the entrance. each had been
dreamed out by the two of
them, sketched roughly on letter
backs, then turned over to the archi-
tect
Slowly she entered and stood in
the hall, pulling off tight gloves.
Delphy came in from the kitchen.
"LawZ-ee, you Is late
What are all the lights on for,
Delphy?"
Mass Norman, he say there's a
mite a company comm t'nite. Mlz
and Mis- Bevin and Miz Dale and
Mista Lamspear-"
Norman" Judith turned to her
husband. who had come into the hall
from his den, lis Lampere coming
here?"
Yes. I invited those Immediately
concerned with the Bevins will.
Judith, I hope We can settle this
quietly among ourselves"
You mean you are bringing them
all here to my home?"
Its my home. too. Judy"
But my only sanctuary. We can't
ever erase what might happen here
tonight"
Its too late now. Better have
your dinner"
Judith Strengthened. "You may
bring them here. Norman, but as my
relations with them are purely bust
ness I can refuse to see them outside
my Office. I do refuse"
Judy" There was pleading
in his voice, his face wore narrowed
expression. Don't you see what we're
doing to each other?"
Judith gave one tiny cry, startled,
hurt. then flew into his arms
"Normy, why must this happen to
us?" she whispered, II can't go back
on my word. and I love you-"
Then you will see Lampere?" he
asked
They walked upstairs. Judith re-
moved her smart little hat and tossed
it to the counterpane.
Norman" she asked, cant you
see how useless it would be for me to
talk to Lampere? 1t is impossible for
us to meet on any common ground, it
would only cause heartache for you,
as for me. I'm so trembly from this
afternoon, I don't believe I could
stand anything more"
Judith, if I thought you under
stood everything about the case; if I
thought I could present it to you as
Lam-as every other keen-minded
man sees it. then I'd do it and let
you Judge their views and the anti
quated ones of our old friend, impair
tally"
Judith shook her head wearily. Big
Tom had even known Norman's re-
action. Lampere was his senior part
ner, his fathers friend.
Norman, it's useless" Judith
slapped kid gloves to the dressing
table to emphasize the statement.
Either you love me enough to carry
on through this, Or" she held
out her hands, pink palms up.
The door bell shrilled through the
house and in moment Lige came
up-"Ma's Lampere, he says he'd like
to talk to Miz Dale. alone"
"Tell him Mrs. Dale has retired"
said Judith.
She shrugged out Of Jacket apd
skirt, went to the wardrobe. reached
in and drew out the first robe. She
had slipped into it before she realized
it was the ermine trimmed peach
glow she had worn the night OF Tom
Bevins' death.
Norman, was it Lampere's Idea
they meet here?" she asked as she
stood before him tying the folds OF
belt.
eyes, but he came at my invita-
ton"
Judith stood on tiptoe, slipped white
arms about his neck and brought his
head down to hers-"Norny, under
tand so much more than you think I
do. I'd like to tell my side Of the
story. but it's useless, you're TOO
prejudiced to understand. Kiss me
goodnight and tell them down there
that I'm oh, know nice
Lampere effusion, 'prostrated from
the ordeal of the afternoon"
But when he had kissed her linger-
ingly, and had left her she was no
longer poised, cool and self-contained.
She trembled with nervous chill
and Delphy, coming up, snuggled her
into a blanket in q deep chair and
brought Z pot Of hot chocolate Cher