Evening star., 1935-09-05

vously in her scarlet-tipped fingers,
nor old Cabot Storm, who was watch
ing his son and his sons wife from
beneath his shaggy gray brows.
How about a break?"-a confident
voice close to them, an importunate
hand on Betsys elbow.
John said, without any infection,
why certainly. Marshall" And then
letting Betsy slip out Of his arms,
smiling down at her. not seeing her
really-"Ill drop you line in week
or so, Betsy. When I get back to Bos-
ton. About that matter we were dis
cussing."
Then he was bowing and leaving
her and crossing the floor to his table.
She saw him put Angelica's light
Spring wrap around her shoulders, saw
him hand old Cabot Storm his silver
capped cane, saw him take some green
bills out of folder and pay the
waiter.
Betsy had tainted only once in her
life-that night when John had fought
the man who broke into the little
house in Georgetown. AS she danced
with Marshall now, matching her step
with his, watching John leave without
even a backward glance for her, she
experienced a sensation before un-
known to her. 1t wasn't like faintlng,
but 1t was what she thought must be
like dying. A swift pain shot through
her, quivering in her knees, her arms
her throat, making her feel as If she
was inhaling threads of wool. Then
numbness. A strange numbness that
made her hear nothing that Marshall
was saying. She was dead girl dane
ing. Dead dead forever
dead and dancing.
When Marshall caught her hand
and led her from the floor down into
the deep lush sweetness of the flower
garden, she followed him, dazed and
unreal to herself; oblivious of the
heart and mind and body that had
been Betsy Seymour. Marshall caught
her swiftly in his arms and kissed her
lips, violently, crushing words out
against their crimson Betsy
I've left Libby. I told her so tonight
I'm going to Reno tomorrow and YOU'RE
going with me! have money now.
And Betsy - you're a celebrity!
Well have beautiful life ''' every
thing" everything! Oh, Betsy
I've wanted to see you to tell you
this to hold you In my arms
Why have you avoided me? Betsy
=. Betsy love you
love you"
Suddenly Betsy seemed to come saw
agely awake within herself She
wrenched out of his arms, her temples
moist and throbbing with the quick
surge of her blood Her eyes were
wide, the pupils dilated and burning
She laughed wildly, Historically, the
heat of her anger flinging upward
| toward him in a fierce gust.
Betsy -" His voice shook.
| He caught her wrists, tried to circle
her waist with his arm. But Betsy
flung herself away from him with
reckless violence.
| After a moment Of painting silence
! she turned upon him, icily. Don
! touch me! Dont dare touch me-" she
said evenly, the scorn edging hel
voice shocking him. 81 hate you!
knew If you ever touched me again
would hate you!'
Marshall was nonplussed. When he
led her from the dance floor he hac
been so certain so sure OF hel
-" so sure of himself. 1t had beer
struggle to give up Libby and al
Libby stood for. But he had to have
Betsy and her price was high. Well
he was willing to pay it now. He hao
known long time that If he could moi
get her on his terms he would have te
/ submit to hers.
He said now, incredulously. you're
putting on an act, angel. Why dt
that?"
"Act?" she cried in anguish. IT hat.
you! mean it,"
He laughed a little huskily. Come
now, darling, you don't. you know.
Then his voice changed. The laughte
died and he was serious. You low
me, Betsy. You'll always love me. I'v
been fool in the past. I've beer
everything that you want to call mi
- and then some. But I love you
I've loved you through it all! Nothing
matters but you. Nothing. Iwant you
I've got to have you at '"-h,
started to say at any price, but brok,
off abruptly He caught her hand!
and pressed his lips against her palms
moist, quick. passionate.
Betsy's fingers tensed against hi
mouth. Her nails bit hard. merci
lessiy. into his dark cheeks and dug
in swift streaks along his face. H,
jerked upright with pain, his owr
hands lifting to the bleeding, throb.
bing scratches. His dark eyes blazee
with fury and wounded vanity. Betsy
81"