Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-16
CHAPTER XIII.


began, "the diplomat who
T. was shot dead in his pent-
house early this morning. is still at
large" He went on briefly with the
details culled from the mornings in
vestigation by the police: Raoul de
Prudentio had booked passage for
South America; his chauffeur, Harder
Demonez, could not be located. Nor
had they found the blond girl who
had been seen with De Prudentio by
the elevator boy. He added that Senior
de Prudentio escorted Miss Betsy Sey-
mour, employe of the C. v. o in the
Government, to reception last night.
The police were looking for her to ar
rest her and hold her for investigation
They had been unable to locate her
at her Georgetown home. When the
reporter switched quickly to a news
item regarding an eccentric Senator
who was tormenting a Western COL
league by dressing exactly like him
-. l0-gallon hat, star-studded boots
with evening jacket John smiled
at Betsy
"Nervous?"
Her cheeks were pale. Oh, yes,
John. Shouldn't I go back now?
Shouldn't face this thing? Let the
police arrest me and tell them every
thing that I know"
mo. I don't want you to go back
to Washington just yet" John said.
firmly. Il rushed you off this morn
ing to avoid the police questioning
as long as possible. 1 have an idea.
A bunch, maybe" His voice broke
off abruptly and he caught Betsy's
hand in his own over the table
Betsy, this would be pretty spot
in which to get married. How about
It? Today?"
She looked at him, startled.
John, you don't you don't
really mean it,"
Il was never more serious in my
life"
What made you decide you wanted
to marry me . all in a minute?"
1T hasn't been all in a minute. I
think knew it the first time I saw
you on the Kingstons' yacht .
and when you asked me to kiss you
that evening after Jennies dinner
party. was sure :. last night"
Betsy drew her hand gently from
his and sank back in the chair. When
she didn't speak John leaned close
to her, faint lines of anxiety etching
the corners of his eyes. rs there
some one else, Betsy"
She didn't look up at him. NO"
she said. There is no one else. Not
now"
That's all want to know" he
said, taking long breath of relief.
I'll make you love me. I'll wear
down your resistance. I'll feed you
love potionS or something"
Il love you already, john" Betsy
said, lifting her face and looking
steadily into his gray eyes. Il love
to tell you. things, to be with you.
I'd never get tired of being with you.
I've never known any one like you.
But marriage =. marriage is sacra-
ment. One ought to be very sure :"
II understand, Betsy" he said. And
then, You'll make a beautiful bride
when we are married one of these days.
And think shall take you to France
on our honeymoon. There's a place
called Mont Saint Michel . an old
walled village on small rock island
nearly mile from the Breton shore.
The houses are piled up one on top of
the other like a kids alphabet blocks
around the foot of towering abbey
And nights on the ramparts, when the
shining, Silvery tides roll in faster
than a horse can gallop, there's al
ways giant Of moon >! Yes,
there's where we'll do our honeymoon
ing, angel"
And what" Betsy laughed, will
we use for money, John? Walking to
France would be jolly =. with you I
mean! but it's dampish"
And omelets." John went on, as if
she hadn't spoken. Mont ST. Michel
Is famous for its omelets."
They we're just leaving the tea house
when the radio. cackling like an aged
mans cough, swelled in volume and
the announcer said, Flash on De
Prudentio Murder" A pause, the tea
room hostess adjusted the dial. Min
lister Planiol late this afternoon sum-
moned Maj. Caldwell, Washington
chief of police, to the legation and
disclosed that Jose Ravero, military
attache of the legation. early this
morning shot and killed Raoul de
Prudentio at his penthouse. The Min
lister explained that De Prudentio had
been identified by Ravero as the per-
son who last night plundered dis
patch box in the chancery safe. When
Ravero confronted De Prudentio with
the crime, De Prudentio shot and
wounded Ravero and the latter, in
self-defense, killed De Prudentio. The
Minister stated that he would claim
diplomatic immunity for his attache
and that Ravero would be sent home
to convalesce and to stand trial be-
fore the courts of his country"
John wheeled and caught BetSy's
trembling shoulders in his hands. His
eyes were bright.
That" he said, was my bunch!
II you'd been home for the police to
nab you,. you'd have talked and all of
Washington at breakfast would have
had something beside grapefruit juice