Evening star., 1935-08-03
INSTALLMENT xxx.


his questioner then fell to the
4 floor. He seemed embarrassed.
unable to reply, the color rising in his
brown cheek. There was long 81
lence. Finally, he shifted his posi-
ton, spread his fingers on the arm
chair, impotently.
NO" he said family.
Puny's features relaxed. Want to
go?" he asked eagerly. "It won't be
much money, but it'll be change, an
boy-what a chance for adventure
tropic moons an senoritas. He wants
a singer and know he'd take you in a
minute. Whaddayou say, kid?"
He beamed and spanked Paul's knee
loudly.
Think it over" he urged. "a year
on the sun kissed shores Of the Carib-
bean-takin' our romance under tn
palms in the plaza while tn band plays
La Golandrina.' Boy, it'll make q
new man outa you an an old one outa
me. Say the word, companero, and
we'll spend Christmas on the 18TH
mus"
Paul sat up slowly How about
Ray?" he asked tonelessly.
Puny spread his hands. Take him
along!" he exclaimed.
Sure. Take him along. It'll be
good for him. too. More sunshine
more vitamin D-get the idea?"
Paurs gaze returned to the floor.
He sat quietly, betrayed no outward
emotion, save the locked deadness Of
his eyes. His hands, on the chair,
looked helpless.
I'm ready" he said.
They left the party at midnight, un-
accompanied. Miss Sakronkowiez was
discovered in an alcove, peacefully
sleeping off one highban too many,
and Puny's inamorata had long de-
serted him for masculine charms more
god-like.
They ratified swiftly downward,
Paul at the wheel of the decrepit
roadster, Puny hunched in the seat
beside him, arms waving as he elab-
Grated further upon life IN the tropics.
BY the time they turned into Thirty
seventh street the stout boys disserta-
ton would have wrung blushes from
a hardened soldier of fortune.
Its early yet" he proclaimed. "I'll
run over to tn room and get Tod's
letter and I've got lot Of literature
from a steamship line that Ill dig up.
Wen make a night Of it an 60 into
this Panama thing thoroughly"
Paul climbed out of the car and
stood silently by while it was wrenched
from the curb and hurtled away, tires
screaming as it rounded the corner
into Prospect. Then he turned and
slowly made his way down the mar
row walk to the tiny portico in the side
court. His footsteps Jagged, he seemed
tired, detected.
At the stair door glimmer Of
light from above indicated the
presence of Bud and Sue He mounted
the steps slowly, pulling at the hand
rail.
He opened the hall door and the
glow from within struck his face.
Some one stood just inside the OPEN
ing-some one who cried out his
name-a voice that made him reel.
Ina!
Inal She was clearly outlined
against the a,lreole of light behind
her, q bright frame, etching the en-
chanting lines of her figure under the
thin dress, touching her golden hair
with fingers of fire. Waiting for him
just as he had remembered her.
Hardly able to credit his senses, he
drew nearer. and he saw that there
were faint shadows under her eyes,
that her pretty mouth trembled as she
essayed to speak.
Paul" she cried. 1T c-couldn't
stand it any longer! After you-
telephoned-I-had to comeI Oh
Paul."
The impulse within him broke its
moorings. In his arms. her own tight
about his neck, she made little. mar
ticulate sounds against his breast. He
held her gently, aware that he MUIR
INJURED her name over and over again.
foolishly, helplessly, unable to believe
in the miracle that had come to him.
II didn't think-that you-that
you'd come back" he breathed shak-
enly, hardly daring to trust his voice.