Evening star., 1935-08-14

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came in"
He laughed softly. "This house was
built many years ago-when they
really built them. The walls are
solid and the ceilings high. Even If
you had screamed, I don't believe
your mother or father or. Tommy
Collins would have heard you. Why
didn't you scream, Betsy? I had an
idea that all women yell out like the
very dickens when something horrible
happens"
II as 'eyond screaming. I was
out Of my wits" she said, shuddering
with remembrance. Then she faced
John. looking into his eyes: Don't
ask me why I went to Raoul's pent-
house tonight. It was silly reason.
1t would only embarrass me to explain
anything so stupid. I didn't stay long
enough to do myself or any one any
harm. I went in, took of my coat
and while he was mixing drinks :.
E. left"
Without saying goodbye"
Without saying good-by." she re-
peated. i felt too cheap to face him
because :. well /. he said some
thing resented"
Il understand, Betsy"
After cogent pause, she added,
How can I ever thank you for to-
night, John? You know without my
telling you that you were brave and
splendid. That I am grateful"
He took her hands and held them
as if he would never let them go. DO
I really deserve regard, Betsy?" he
asked. finding it difficult to keep his
voice steady when her eyes were soft
and blue on his face. II mean-I
want to kiss you"
II suspected you might mean that.
You can't John. But shut your eyes,"
She swayed toward him, kissed him
lightly on the lips and stood back
waiting for him to open his eyes.
With little groan John reached for
her and swept her close to his heart
so close that she could feel its wild
beating against her cheek. He said,
Betsy, am living in fools paradise
that's going to cave in on me? What
are you going to do about me?"
/ Once again that night she yielded
to the strength of his arms. felt no
! inclination to move out Of them. She
said so softly that he had to lean his
head downward to heart wish
knew, John. I wish I knew"
| And when she turned and went
swiftly through the hall and up the
stairs, John Storm stood there in the
deep shadows of the parlor dreaming
after her.
When Betsy awakened several hours
later, she lay with her hands under
her golden curls looking off into space.
Mrs. Seymour came through the
door and found her propped up on
her pillows. She didn't stoop to kiss
he1. as was her usual custom. In
stead, she stood at the edge of the
bed, her face pale, her eyes wide and
afraid.
Betsy's heart flew to her throat.
"Mother-what is it? What's
wrong?"
Mother said, Betsy. just heard
news flash on the radio. Raoul De
Prudentio was murdered last night"
Murdered? Raoul- murdered" The
words came family, with a muffled
sob. "Oh, mother-mother! She
turned from her, her arms flung across
the pillow, her head buried in them.
She lay there sobbing, not quite be-
Ieving in death at least, not
death so soon after the ecstasy of
living, loving, planning the future.
For moment Mrs. Seymour stood
looking down at Betsy, the small body
wracked with sobs. Then she said
with something of gentleness in her
voice, Betsy, the police are looking
for bla i'd girl who was seen by an
elevator boy going to his penthouse
with him last night. They found
golden strands of hair on Raoul's
shoulder and and on a table
under lamp vanity case. A gold one
with blue fo-- -get-me-nots of cloisonne
on the lid" The calmness of mothers
voice broke then and she sank YEARLY
to the foot of the bed, wringing her
gnarled work-worn hands. Betsy
that wasn't your vanity case, was it?
-. The one we gave you last Christ
maS?"
CTo be continued tomorrow