Evening star., 1934-10-20

IVt to say anything that might
L ' L destroy the possibility of get
ting down to the essentials Of
the tangle.
She also gave him Anne Stanton's
name as the best Intermediary, watch
ing Silver twist and squirm in her
effort to release herself from Ham
Inns arms. Hamlin's face was curl
Gus combination of interest and dis
gust.
Hush, Silver" he repeated over
and over. Hush; it's better this way"
"It'S a lie!" screamed Silver, but
Marian, who had seen her struggle
loose from her friend, placed her
finger on the receiver bar and de-
stroyed the connection.
For a moment it looked as If she
would vent her fury on Marian, and
again Max stepped in, shaking Silver
as if she were toy doll.
"For your own sake. Silver, calm
down"
"B-but she l-lied."
"She certainly did" agreed Max.
THAT lie was masterpiece. You
ought to get down on your knees and
thank her. She kept the world from
knowing just what kind Of a woman
you . are not. If that ex-husband
of yours has a fighting chance for
life, he'll make the grade. If he
hasn't he'll go out happy.
"You told me you wanted to be
an actress. All right, here's your op-
portunity. Play up and I'll see you
have a chance in my next show"
Now let's sit down and discuss the
future. But first I'm going to tele-
phone the lodge and have them send
over some hot coffee and sandwiches.
That friend of yours looks like she's
about to pass out on her heels"
Marian didn't need second invita-
ton to slip into a chair before the
hearth. Now that her story was in,
the scene with Silver over, she felt
physically and emotionally exhausted
She knew there were things she should
do. Help Estes with his pictures
she knew he had taken exteriors
had seen the flash of his light with
its muffled report. And she should
wire Lon Casad that she wouldn't be
able to see him that night.
"Now, Miss Gordon" Max had
seated himself opposite her, the SUBJ
dued Silver between them, "do you
think the other newspapers will send
up their representatives."
"They may" Marian answered
! ''The Hondons represented one of the
oldest, finest families in the State. and
Cliff was the last of the line. Silver's
| father has been an important figure
| in politics, and she's been copy ever
since she was born"
Then we'd better coach Silver to
uphold your version of this tragedy
please" Marian intercepted. "you
asked me If were here as friend
or reporter. wonder If it wouldn't
be fair for me to ask a similar ques-
ton. Are you here as a friend or a
fance? don't even know your name. ,
"Touche," murmured Max, "my
name is Hamlin. am merely friend
I came up here to take the matri-
monial cure. 1t is permanent. My
| wife, or ex-wife, doesn't like cold
weather, so I obliged her by getting q
divorce for desertion, while she went
W clOIlud w VIC WAei2 41SA A1SAV u
| husband.
my interest is more or less i'm
personal. I started my play-writing
career by being stage manager, and
I've never recovered from the desire
to pull strings and watch the puppets
dance"
"Thank you," Marian smiled at his
frankness. "Then would you mind
pulling a couple of those strings to
make Silver pose for picture?"
Hamlin turned to Silver, thought a
moment, then spoke. Miss Gordon
has given you choice of playing the
lead in a clean drama :. or show
ing what poor sport spoiled wo-
man can be.
"You believe Mr.. Hondon did this
to spite you; to make the world be-
| lieve you drove him to do it. The
best way you can check that impress
| sion is by acting the part Of lovable
misunderstood woman. ready to for
give and"
But. Max" protested Silver, 20