Evening star., 1934-10-22
CHAPTER Nj.
CHARMING LON.

ASN'
r ON looked at Marian expect
antly, but she remained silent.
Ian" prompted Silver.
IL why not let her tell you
what she learned when she
called the hospital" suggested Ham,
lin with gentle sarcasm.
Tan" Silver leaned forward, eyes
dilated. one exquisitely formed hand
over her heart-"he isn't, don't tell
me hes"
NO" replied Marian shortly. "he
isn't. He has more than fighting
chance. He decided to fight after
he'd received a telephone mes
sage"
"Ian-" the color was back in
Eilver's cheeks.
And Silver" came the sharp re-
minder from Hamlin.
She leaned back again, was silent
q full minute, then whispered, THE
relief of it almost too much to
bear" Then she turned to Lon. II
guess I'll have to tell you, it doesn't
seem fair to you that you should be
here with us and not understand"
And she closed her eyes to veil the
gleam of triumph which came as Lon
cast an indignant look at Marian.
II was married when l was just
youngster." Silver explained. MY
parents insisted, and I well, I
thought it would be lark to be able
to have some freedom. I learned Bit
terly that freedom was the last thing
had won.
MY husband, considerably older
than 7, was insanely jealous. stood
1t four years and then I broke. I
didn't want to go on living that way.
1t was easy enough to win q divorce
under the :. . the circumstances.
IT was given my decree today e.
yesterday now, and then he did as
he threatened. He said he couldn't
live without me and he shot himself"
She made an effective pause, then
continued. "Of course, feel terrible.
I feel as if had murdered the man.
I don't love him. It's all over be-
tween us, but had to do some
thing about it, so I sent word to him
that did.
II lied to save him, but know I'll
be forgiven that told him to
fight for his life and I'd rush down
to be with him. I couldn't do less,
could I, Mr.. Casad?"
Il think you've been wonderful" !"
blurted Lon, sincerely. "Just one
grand sport"
Il knew you'd understand" muir
INJURED Silver gratefully, "and now I
have to find some way of hurrying
- Nal, inn
train Mr.. Casad, would you, could
you drive me imp"
II should say I could" declared
Lon heartily, and turned to Marian.
There's room for the three of us.
I'll rig UP a place for Hero in the
luggage carrier"
"Oh, but Mr.. Casad," protested
Silver, IT don't feel that I could be
crowded at time like this . my
nerves are simply shattered. I feel
ready to break down. Ian can stay
here and rest. She's worn out; she'll
look after the dog, won't you, Ian?''
Lon and Silver turned to look at
Marian, who seemed concerned
chiefly with blaze in the heart of
the hearth fire.
ing embers as though stricken with
sudden grief. Not by any rule OF
craftsmanship could she turn to Sill
yer, or to Lon, and demand the other
woman's true character be revealed.
Marian, you won't mind, will
you?" queried Lon in voice that
took her acceptance as matter OF
fact. "Ill carry Mrs. Hondon to
Reno and then come back for you"
But you don't need to, Mr.. Casad, u
interposed Hamlin. I've already
arranged to take care Of Miss Cor
don during the remainder of her stay
in Nevada. I'm leaving for Reno
this morning and we'd planned that
I should take her in, then after shed
had a good rest, take her out to see
the sights
"Oh, you had?" demanded Lon
belligerently. well, I'd made diff
ferent arrangements"
TOO bad" said Hamlin. "How-
ever, if you care to Join us this eve
ming We'll be glad to have you. Oh
and we can take care of Hero in my
car. He seems to accept Miss Cor.
don as mistress"
He nodded at the dog. who haC
remained with Marian, nearly para
living the foot across which he hac
stretched his bulk, but even ths
paralysis seemed comforting to Ma.
rien. She was silently blessing Ham.
lin for his magnificent lie," Q III