Evening star., 1934-09-11
CHAPTER xxx.


Niobe, Mazda had gazed in amaze
ment at a mother who was quit'
Il complacent and happy in thu
thought that she had found an
other woman who would spoil Stanley
as she had. Where Stanley was con-
cerned, Mrs. Connell had an aston
ishing capacity for digging up the
best of a situation.
Even now the king can do no
wrong" reflected Mazda after her
mother had gone.
It was almost time for the day
nurses to go off duty when Mazda
heard voices outside her door. They
we're speaking low, but MAZDA, whose
hearing was unusually acute, could
hear every word.
"Who told you she was hurt, I'd like
to know" Bert was saying. The an
swering voice was certainly Gerald
Pryde's. Maida's heart gave a Jump.
She wished fervently that she had a
little powder on her nose. She tried to
pull out few curls, but her wounded
arms had begun to stiffen and she
could not reach her hair.
"Well, you can't see her" said Bert
with finality.
"Is she so badly hurt? I did not
know it was really serious"
mo, she isn't badly hurt, but she
has been through enough disagreeable
things today without having you on
top of them"
IT know I'm not much at entertain
ment. but I'd like awfully to see her
T1yxyln'c JyOinn
studiously polite, even pleading, in the
face of Bert's studied rudeness.
Cant you get it into your head
that you're not wanted?" asked Bert.
"I've a good mind to tell you what l
think of you now, now that have the
chance. OF all the useless, conceited,
selfish puppies, you are the worst
Why can't you leave Connell alone
instead of coming around when you
feel like Summing? Getting her all
upset. Why, her little finger is worth
more than your whole body. She
doesn't give a rap for you. SHE'S got
you sized up all right"
ct don't know what to make OF your
TRADE" said Pryde stiff1y. HAS Miss
Connell asked you to tell me these
things?"
mo. she hasn't. She has mind OF
her own, as guess you've discovered:
But she has told me some things and
I have seen you few times myself,
and the way you have treated her Is
shame"
What do you mean?"
"I'u tell you, since you want to
know. First off, you suspect her OF
being the one who made drunken
scene with Gillespie at the medical
dance, when she's a perfect lady and
wouldn't behave like that Cookie dame
for any man. Then you take pains 10
tell her that you know, from your ex-
perience, that women are no good and
YOU are Just associating with her TO
pass the time away. AS If she would
be sure to fall in love with you unless
she was warned off. Then, for no
reason at all, you accuse her OF trying
to rope you in to marry her Tor your
money, suppose. No one would want
YOU for any other reason. Still, you
can't leave her alone. When you do
propose to her, you tell her your father
thinks she is scum and you are willing
to marry her in spite OF him. Then
YOU expect her to accept and be tickled
to death. Bah! I've got no use for
YOU and neither has she, and you
might as well pack your traps and
CO."
Pryde's voice was curiously fiat and
toneless as he answered: IF that is
what she thinks of me, and, of course,
you get your views from Miss Connell,
it would hardly seem necessary for me
to see her. I would like to say that I
have never meant to be such cad as
you make me out. am really quite
overcome at the picture you draw Of
me-"
MAZDA had been frantically switch
ing her light on and off to attract
Bert's attention. Finally she came in,
looking pleased with herself.
ST sent the boy friend off with flea
In his ear" he gloated.
MAZDA groaned. "I heard you, you
little devil Bert. I'll never forgive you
for that as long as I live"
Forgive me? Why, say, wasn't it
all true? Haven't you said those
things about him yourself?"
What II l old? You ougnC TO nave
known I didn't mean it. I was sore
at him lots of times and he was high
hat at first, but he has been improving
so much lately. What will he think
of me for telling you all that stuff, that
should have been between just us
two?"
well, I'm sorry if I butted In,
Connell, but I guess he's gone now so
what do you care what he thinks of
you?"
Mazda turned her head away, for
she was close to tears. "Oh. do
care; I care terribly" and he will
never come back now. No man with
any self-respect would come back after
what you said to him. And he thinks
1t came from me! You have ruined
my life"
Bert came up to the bed. "Why,
Connell, honey, don't cry. You really
do care about him, don't you? All
that peeve you had was just because
you were afraid he didn't like you
enough. Gee, I'm the worlds worst
dumbbell not to know you were just
kidding yourself. Don't worry, Con-
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