Evening star., 1934-10-25
CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XIV.
SACRIFICE.
N m ARIAN stood before the casino
mn mirror, apparently trying to
wv weave q soft strand of hair
L l. into the fold of its wave. The

other girl In the mirror stared
back at her with accusing eyes.
The other girl had no decision tc
make. 1t showed in the firm line OF
her lips, the steady gaze of violet
blue eyes. She had made her decision
in the log cabin the previous night
She had protected Silver from herself
She had protected Cliff Hondon from
Silver.
She turned from the mirror. It was
too late now to revoke that act. Simply
because Silver had recognized Ions
charm was no reason for her to
change. Besides, Cliff Hondon wasn't
yet out Of danger and he had the right
to an unhampered fight. An angry
Silver couldn't be handled.
They drove now to queer little
shack on hill overlooking the lights
of the town, sat on benches before a
rough boarded table and listened to
boys in cowboy garb sing songs of the
range.
Hamlin seemed preoccupied, Ma
rian subdued, only Lon remained
cheerful.
by the way, Casad," Hamlin ven
tured at length, did you see Mrs,
Hondon off on the train?"
Marian looked up quickly. Hamlin
had been protecting her. He hadn't
known but that Lon knew she was
staying In town. He had been trying
to give Marian this evening without
competition. She listened eagerly fol
Ions answer.
Yes and no." ne returned. "She
asked me to leave her at the Noun
tainside Hotel and said she had q
little business to attend to and would
have a friend take her to the train
Poor girl" he added, "I surely felt
sorry for her She curled up in the
car seat and sort Of whimpered. From
what she said that husband of hers
must have been a jealous, weak sort. >
No" countered Hamlin, II don't
think So Silver is attractive. She
demands the admiration of every mar
she meets, and no husband likes tc
share his wife's company too much
AS to his weakness, ! believe he was
more impulsive than weak. A lot oi
us would do such things on the spul
of the moment If the the tools
were handy"
IT don't know about that" Lor
countered. I've got too much curl
osity. myself. She surely was cut uI
about the shooting"
Hamlin smiled his crooked smile
II hope you offered her the proper
comfort" he said.
Ions face flushed. Afraid I waSn't
much Of comforter. I was pretty
tired and I had other things; i'm
portant things on my mind
'I thought you might drive her or
down to Oakland" Hamlin continued
BE easier on her, of course, than the
train"
She did suggest it, Lon admitted
but I told her I was afraid I'd &C
to sleep at the wheel and ditch us
She offered to wait until rested, but
didn't want any one wangling in on
that trip because I was taking Ian
so l told her I probably wouldn't leave
before next morning that's this
morning, isn't it?" he said. looking
at his watch. Besides" he defended
Il figured she had other friends who
would be glad to drive her down"
"I don't blame you for not wanting
to share Miss Gordon" said Hamlin
rising.
At the hotel he parted from them
in the lounge. You'll be leaving be-
fore I'm out in the morning, imag
inc, so I'll tell you good-by here. It's
been nice to meet you both, and some
how" he looked at them both with a
quizzical look, somehow I feel we
will all meet again.
Tell you what, Casad, I'll be leav-
ing for California soon. I'm going
up to my shack on the Russian River
He handed him card with his ad-
dress on it. Drive up some week end
Bring Miss Gordon with you"
When he had left Lon and Marian
sat on a divan speaking of the eve
ming and of Hamlin.
Guess I'd better let you go up fol
some rest" Lon said at length. 81
thought we might start about 8 o'clock
if you think you'n be ready by thai
time I've got lot to talk to you
about. So, good night, dear" Anc
he handed her into the elevator.
Good night, dear" Marian made
song Of 1t as the lift moved swiftly
up. "a lot to talk to you about" she
told the girl In the mirror.
She wasn't sleepy; couldn't be
Shed pack. She did, and when she
came to the coral pink knitted dress
she decided to try it on again. II
was good-looking, she thought, with
its square shoulders and trim neck
line and the beige Alpine hal