Evening star., 1934-09-01

harsh in his judgments, but no one
could meet him without feeling his
strength and his power. Yet with
all his strength he had been. afraid
Of her, or rather afraid Of his own
heart. Maida's lip curled scornfully.
You take too much for granted,
Mr.. Pryde," she murmured to her
self. Mazda lifted her head sharply.
A faint, but unmistakable noise, an
of some one singing, came from the
diet kitchen. 1t was a lugubrious
vail, strongly accented on the last
word of each line, a favorite song Of
Johnnie Casey's:
How How she made made hssr-yssstn6ls compound
Oh. we sing of--Lydia Pinkham.
And all OF the-PaperS
Printed her-Face.
stop that noise, you nut" she
commanded him.
johnnie grinned at her compan-
ionably. ct thought my serenade
would get results. And how about
little food? Something hot and
tasty?'
Where is the SUPERVISOR"
safe. They have a bad case"
Then I'll make you an egg sand
wich and some cocoa I'm really
glad you came along tonight. I'm
feeling low. For cents I'd 60 jump
in the river"
Then we will cry together. I'm
so fed up that I'd just as soon take
a dose Of morphia and float away
from my troubles. That is the
slickest way I know Of to die, in
case you should ask me. The only
drawback is that If they do find
you before you pass out, you go
through hell while they bring you to-"
Don't mention It," begged MAZDA.
I'D just as soon not think Of corpses
tonight. You remember Wantupp, in
1919? He died while I was there
this afternoon"
He did? Wonder If there will be
an autopsy. Id like to dissect that
bird. Not much fatty tissue there"
Johnnie munched his sandwich with
relish, while MAZDA went into the ward
to make sure all was quiet.
Speaking of love-" he began, when
she returned.
It thought you were speaking of
autopsies."
Haven't you any tact? I'm bash-
full, so I'm trying to sneak up on
the subject"
"oh, pardon me, DR.. Casey. Speak.
! ing of love-"
Its all foolishness. I'm through.
I'm of it for life."
"No, really?"
'I mean it. hope have too much
sense to upset my life. Oh, I'll marry.
After get a practice, I'll pick out
some good, sensible woman who will
be help TO me. But no girl Is going
to make raving maniac out of me-"
Meaning Norine?"
Certainly. have some strength of
character, hope. I decided to cult,
and quit. Now haven't a particle
Of feeling for her.
I'm sorry, Johnnie, I think she is
quite nice"
Nice? She's pretty, I grant you
that, but she is nothing but q cold
blooded little f1irt, and If she thinks
I am going to take her high-handed
treatment she is much mistaken"
| Mazda was silent. Johnnie went on
heatedly.
'She pretended to like me. I
thought she was the grandest thing in
the world. Why, I was q fool over
that girl. went incoming around
until it's wonder didn't give some
one strychnia instead of cascara.
What a sap WASP Do you know
what she did to me?"
'It must have been something ter
rible."
"All right, laugh, II you want to.
I can laugh. too, because am glad
it happened. 1t Just showed her up
for the kind Of shallow, cold -blooded
woman she is"
Poor JohnnieI You really have 1t
bad"
81 did have, and 80 did she, or pre-
tended to. But do you know what
she did? All Of q sudden, without any
reason at all, she is all on me.
called her up and she wouldn't come
to the phone. went out there end
she refused to see me. Now what do
you think Of that? Is that fair? Is
that right?"
mo, it isn't, Johnnie. II she is
treating you as you say, without any
cause, I think you are well rid Of the
capricious little fool. She isn't worth
thinking about"
Johnnie did not seem heartened by
this encouragement. That's the way
it looks to you, is it7" he asked. Gee,
she's always been so sweet, and square,
and I am positive she cares for me.
I think there is something mysterious
about it. sent her registered letter
today. If I don't get results from
that, I'm going out there and force
my way in, If necessary. They can't
keep my girl from me. Why, I'd die
without her"
well, I'll be darned," said MAZDA
to herself, after he left. "I suppose
that girl will have to hit him with
sledge hammer before he takes the
hint that she is through"
(To Be Continued.)