Evening star., 1934-10-18


gang. They're here to help me cele-
brate my free"
"Please!" Marian interrupted be-
cause she could not bear to have
that word freedom completed. Some
thing in her voice checked the other
girl.
TITS bad news, isn't it?" she asked.
Have you had a cable from Honolulu,
is it mother and dad?"
mo, Silver, but can't we go some
place where we will be alone?"
It wasn't necessary. AS though
divining a serious climax to their
gayety, the guests had started to gath
er wraps.
They filed out in twos and threes,
all except one man. Marian looked
at him expectantly. At the first
glance he seemed older than the rest,
then she realized this was due to
prematurely grey hair. His face was
young, dark eyes alert, but there was
something worldly and old in the
cynical expression Of the mouth be-
meath its rt-clipped mustache.
I'll stay he announced and add
ed, you might need me-"
Silver was serious now. Some of
the rich color had faded from her
cheeks and her eyes were dilated with
alarm Tell me, Ian, quick" she
begged.
Marian dreaded the ordeal. 1t
seemed utterly heartless to crush the
laughter in this child-woman. She
seemed like q child playing woman
with those clrls caught in a knot on
top of her head.
Its Cliff" she began.
Silver reached for the support Of
the strange mans arm. curved her
hand about his wrist: You mean he's
dead?"
mo. not yet. At least he was still
living when we left Sacramento"
Quickly then she explained while
Silver, lacquered red finger nails dig
ding into the strangers wrist, listened.
When Marian had stopped she left
him and came close to her. Tell me"
she demanded looking straight into her
eyes, will he die?"
II don't know" he answered truth
fully.
"Marian!" Now the red lacquered
nails were digging into her arm,
Maxi" there was hysteria in her voice,
Cliff dying" her voice arose in
shrill laugh that changed to sob,
and then with a gesture of abandon,
she threw herself into the big chair,
and buried her head in her arm,
shoulders shaking convulSively.
Marian, alarmed. leaned over her.
Silver, don't do that" she begged,
'she has q chance to live I know he
has. Don't cry like that" She sought
to take her into her arms and quiet
her with her own strength. She had
failed miserably in her mission. Surely
she could have broken the news more
tactfully.
Here. drink this" Like a repri-
mand the man called Max. spoke. He
thrust glass into Marian's hand and
lifted Silver's head from the arm of
the chair.
Drink it." he ordered sharply.
Silver drank, and Marian, looking
up found the mans eyes probing hers,
his thin lips twisted In a sardonic grin.
'I suppose you're here as Silver's
friend?" he questioned.
Marian handed the now empty glass
back to him and answered with her
innate honesty. mo. I'm here as
newspaper reporter"
It see," again the crooked smile,
"the old friend uses her school con-
nections to force her way into Mrs.
Hondon's privacy so she may break
the news of the tragedy. then tell the
world how Mrs. Hondon stood the
shock. It should make a fine story,
Beautiful Divorce Celebrates Freedom
From Heart-broken Husband, While
He Lies Dying in Hospital A fine
opportunity to tell how she cried
when you-"i
'I wasn't crying"
Max and Marian started in surprise
Silver was sitting up. cheeks dry. eyes
brilliant with unshed tears.
'T was laughing" she said, '.yes,
know what you thought, but why
should ! cry? He did 1t to spite me.
He said he'd teach me lesson. This
the whole world, trying to make peo-
PIE Ociletc i uIUfS Iltul W ~
Silver" cried Marian.
what do you know about it?" the
other continued in her low, bitter
voice, "you run around with your silly
little pencil and listen to people tell
of their troubles but what do you know
of them? You aren't capable of loving
or hating. I hate Cliff Hondon. The
only thing his death can mean to me
is relief"
"Silver, for heavens sake, get hold
of yourself" Max shook her shoulder
with q rough hand. TRY to remember
you're talking to a newspaper woman"
mo, I'm not" she countered. 'T
know Marian. I've known her since
she came to school, long, scrawny
kid, with green eyes and freckles.
She's the kind of girl who believes
in angels and Santa Claus. The only
time she's even half human 10 when
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