Evening star., 1934-04-05
/, CHAPTER XIV.
NoRMAN,s DEMAND.

ance on those TWO women Ike Iegai
gigolo--i
you've gone far enough. Judith.
I hadn't meant to make this Bevins
fortune an issue between US, but
you're forcing me to it., They warned
me you would. I'm beginning to be-
lieve they know you better than
] do.
I'm leaving for Galveston again.
I'll have to fly back to make court,
had hoped to take you with me,
but under the circumstances I think
you'd better stay and think things
over. Talking only brings on trouble.
This BevinS affair will blow over
and then you and can settle back
into our normal way of living"
Norman" Judith sat up in bed,
alert, what do you mean, the Bevins
affair will blow over?"
you'll see."
Judith senSed that he knew some
thing more than he was admitting.
But suppose it doesn't?" she
countered.
1T will"
Judith jumped out of bed, showered
and dressed while Delphy prepared
a tray for them. Under the stinging
fay of water, Judith promised she
would take elias advice and wait
until. Norman had had his coffee,
before, as ella would say, starting
anything"
She did wait. With breakfast over
and Norman glancing at his watch,
she spoke.
Norman, want you to tell me
now, what you meant by saying the
Bevins affair would blow over"
II can't"
alright, then, tell me this. If
It doesn't blow over, what will be
your attitude?"
Norman glanced at her, dark eyes
unrelenting, lips in thin, stern line
II shall have to ask you either to
give up the Bevins money, or me-"
Prepared as she was, Judith
couldn't represS a start as he said
this. There was no comfort in the
knowledge that the man who spoke
was some grim-yisaged stranger
whom she'd never before seen. Nor
did it comfort Judith any to know
she had behaved like a fish wife, US
ing Mathile as an issue while she
was only barb in the flesh"
ssNorman," her eyes begged for
understanding, though her voice was
cool. Il want to apologize for what
I said about you and Mathile. !
was jealous and hurt. Slim Sanford
feE.sme down SO I could be there in
time for dinner with you, then
found you were already through
and she was with you.
VI truly believe it happened as
you say it did, only, that's it
just as I said that night on board
the trawler -. we don't think alike.
You thought more of acting the
gentlemen than you did of how your
public meeting with Mathile would
hurt me. The realization that she
probably planned the whole thing
doesn't make me any the less bitter"
You mean she connived with my
mother?" he began heatedly.
mo, indeed" said Judith, your
mother is, above all, sporting. She
wouldn't play that way. She was
probably so intent upon her tourna-
ment she wasn't aware that you and
Teel were two of the three princi-
pals in the Bevins case"
A rare smile crossed Norman's
face. I'm glad you see that" he
said: "she really likes you a lot,
Jude"
He looked at his watch. ct wish
I Didn't have to 60, but then," his
faed had frightened, "by the time
I Eet back we can start fresh and
Mathile won't have any further call
on, me"
sNorm," Judith stepped close, I'm
LEAVING, too, I'm making a trip to the
dar1 leaving this evening"
fMdy -. Judy, you can't do that,
tell you. Not now, not at this
time"
But it's a good time to go, Nor
NAM you'll be away"
His arms were holding her tight,
. desperate tensity in them. judith
remember the night I said that all
one needed to make perfect mar
riage was enough love? Haven't you
enough love to give this up for me?"
"And, Normy, I asked you how
much was enough? Have you enough
to go against your principles for me?"
."Judith," he pointed out of the
window to where an ink-black cloud
was sweeping down from the north,
Il have to 60, there's storm COM
ing in and can't be late for court.
Now, dear, try to be sensible. You're
all wrought up over things, go on
back to bed, have good rest, then
wake up and read or go to a
show"
Norman. you don't understand,
I'm leaving for the dam tonight. !
must CO."
Il see," his arms dropped away
from her. He put on a light over
coat, picked up his briefcase and
his hat. Its up to you Judy. Take
your choice. If you think more of
your childish belief that no one else
can build dam, than you do of me
-. all right. Good-by." He kissed
her lightly and left.
Judith raced to the window. She
couldn't bear to have him go like this
.. suppose the storm overlook him.
his car skidded on the wet pave
ment and he'd never know how much
she loved him she wouldn't &c
to the dam. Big Tom had asked more
than was humanity possible for any
woman to give -. she would stay and
help him carry on.
Lightning flashed across the sky
thunder rumbled and darkness closed
down. Judith tried to follow in her
imagination the race Of the little
coupe against the storm, and then
before her minds eye came picture
of the storm at the dam; the horror
of 1t, the heart-breaking devastation
which lay in its wake the little
crumpling houses swept away from
the banks and the heart-broken resig.