Evening star., 1934-09-02


kissed like that before, and perhaps never would
be again.
You can't fall in love with man who be-
longs to somebody ese-chanted her outraged
decency You can't marry him. It's bigamy,
piracy and pillage on the high seas of matri-
mony.
She went limp in his arms Tit doesn't
mean a thing" she stammered "I was only
trying to blow up that inferiority complex Of
yours-and now-well, look what we've gone
and done"
He released her and swept a dazed hand
across his eyes. 1t was as if he brushed away
q gauzy cobweb that sparkied with entcing
dreams
20. K.," he breathed, slowly. eff you want it
that way. You kissed me back. Did you know
it, Mitl? You-wouldn't fool me. would you
darling?"
She nodded her golden head vigorously.
II would-if it was good for you. Why not?"
almost convincing.
lie had walked over to the radio. 'T always
thought that bird who played opposite you in
your premiere picture made love like wooden
Indian" he flung out ironically so I was
only trying to improve on his technique.
Sorry" He turned his back on her.
"Iiarl" was all she said, very softly.
The radio was announcing Importantly:
Nothing has been learned about the mysterious
disappearance Of Miss Mitd Questly, Holly
woods glamorous screen star. A reward of
5000 has been offered by Max SteinwaI, mil
lionaire director and producer, for authentic
Information. Miss Questly's maid is also miss
ing. Police working the admit that it
has all the elements of another sensational kid
naping outrage"
GOOD old Max" beamed Bruce Hes get
ting it over like nobody's business and oh, boy
what this1l do for Venetian Films, Inc. ought
to be plenty to write home about"
Suddenly the heavy, wooden door of the
shack few open with a loud bang. And, limp
ing in her face as white as paper, came Mitzi's
faithful, efficient maid, Sophie
Her neat gray suit had pieces gouged out OF
1t where thorns and forked branches of trees
had caught as she passed Her hat was awry
and her sandy hair hung over her dropping
shoulder. Her oxfords were scuffed and clay
daubed and she was holding one arm grmly
bent toward her body.
Mtzi's horror-stricken eyes flashed from the
pain-twisted face to the blood that dripped
slowly to the bare pine floor.
Sophie, what's happened? . she tried
Bruce was beside her instantly, deity helping
to remove the blood-soaked gloves and jacket,
with his pocket knife cutting the sleeve away
from the flesh wound washing and binding it
carefully with a clean towel.
THAT Ben-the double-crossing skunk-he's
he's run out on u.s." the girl suffered jerkily.
me OuCta the car on a rlQge, anu
then took shot at me for good measEe-the
blatherskite"
QRUCES green gaze met Mitz's in conster-
nation. II had hunch that guy wasn't
ON the up-and-up-but, good heavens"
He always did look like an ex-convict or
something to me-" Mitz contributed. Nov.
what do you suppose"
l. ~&l-a IL
or miss my guess, but what?" puzzled Bruce.
IT been ramblin' around for hours" Sophie
was saying, almost in tears. cts the dizziest
country to get lost in I ever saw
Bruce groaned. "I've got to get back to the
studio-somehow. What a smart publicity man
turned out to be-" He paced the floor in a
frenzy Of self disgust.
Bruce" MitM queried, watching him bundle
his lean body into his coat, "how viii you
get through"
1--WE got to!" he ragged. "Of all the prize
saps ever born-Tm it-walking into this neat
little trap"
"You weren't to blame"
"rve several hours of daylight left" he was
thinking aloud. There ought to be a ranch
house-or something Oh. Mitzi, to think I
got you into this. I-hate to go-and leave
YOU n-h anything should happen" His
eyes fingered on her lovely face
"Iu happen quicker if you don't CO." she
said sturdily, her eyes meeting his bravely.
You're a little soldier" he said, huskily
kiss me good-by, One and Only. Keep your
chin up-high."
It'll the clouds roll by, Jenny" she
chanted, with a gallant smile Good -by-and
good luck, old dear"
She stood at the door watching him until he
disappeared over little hill.
I'm bettin' ON Mr.. Bruce" said Sophie a
little later. "An the smart guys amt in
college"