The Coolidge examiner., 1934-08-03

Z tiny plush case IL tWlhAte4 al HcE
from its nest OF satin. She left II
on the dresser. She left Il with
much regret. II was a beautiful
ring.
I Before she left the room. she tore
the Zap OF one OF the square gray
envelopes II was marked. In his
own writing. with Carter's initials
and his washington address. she
tucked Il into her bag and. fully
equipped FOR conquest she closed
/ the door behind her.
The last time she thought as she
walked down the wide polished
stairs. She worked up a feeling OF
sentiment FOR the old brick house.
I She succeeded very we'll There
were tears on her lashes when she
closed the front door.
Great.uncle Charlie was standing
beside the ticket window In the sta
/ tion.
Little trip. Cellar" he asked.
/ sweeping OF with gallant gesture
his dilapldated felt hat
I'm going to town" She wished
that he wouldn't make her so con
splcuous People were smiling.
| Uncle Charlie was a dreadful old
man. She opened her bag. The
Dap from the gray envelope Hut-
tered down to the hoor She did
not notice t. She asked for a
ticket to Philadelphia.
The train was rumbling into the
station.
Great-uncie Charlie saw the fap
Of The gray envelope. lie picked Il
up. Because Il matched CelIa's cos
tune. he though, that she might
have dropped It. II didn't look i'm
portant. lie slipped Il into his
pocket and thought nothing more
about H.
Celia walked confidently through
the Washington station. People
turned to look after her. II gave
her a feeling Of power.
What beautiful girl" she
heard a voice exclaim.
is Il Marllyn MillerT' a young
er voice asked In a thrilling Wills
per
The pleased dreamy expression
erept into Cella's eyes. She smiled
family Her manner was detached.
Inside abe was simmering with eI-
element II you were beautiful.
you could take what you wanted
from life.
She discovered that the flap from
Carter's gray envelope was not In
her bag. II didn't matter very
much She consulted the telephone
directory. There was bis name. Car
ter Valentine Shelby Mrs. Car
ter Shelby. The Charleston shelbys.
OF course. Lovely little thing .
Her anEers trembled as she dropped
nickel into the telephone slot
The moment OF waiting seemed very
long A voice at last Carter's
voice. low and thrilling. His South
Carolina accent
This Is Celia. Garter" She stead
led her voice with an effort
"WhoT~
Celia" She was annoyed lie
should have recognized her voice.
"oh :" Only that A moment
Of hesitation Celia felt that her
knees were growing weak.
\ just thought I'd call you she
said. Il happened 10 be In town.
Can you meet me somewhereT"
I'm leaving al midnight" An
/ other hesitation. But walt .
I'll meet you" lie named a hotel
Celia's knees were steady again. lie
would meet her In half an hour.
II was a rather shabby hotel IN an
undlstlnguished street. When she
had paid the taxi-driver. there was
very little money left In her dainty
suede bag. She sat In a chair In
the lobby and was annoyed with
I Carter. Surely. she thought. he
might have suggested a more
glamorous meeting place.
The moments dragged by. She
I glanced up expectantly With every
whirl OF the revolving door. AT last
she saw him. tall and graceful and
dark. hurrylng TO meet her. making
all the other men In the lobby look
thick and dull and unlnteresting.
''CeIia o. lie was smiling down at
her. holding both OF her hands Was
there a hint OF apprehension In his
eyesy She preferred to think there
was not
IT'S lovely TO see you. Carter"
The silver harp strings were sing
Ing.
When did you arriveT"
AT seven"
Have you had dinner7"
NO" She was hungry. She
hadn't thought OF IL before.
The dining room was dingy. Car
ter gave an order. Celia removed
her gloves. rested her elbows on
the table. her chin on her folded
hands. She smiled at Carter through
a pink blur OF light. He was look