Evening star., 1935-08-15

said, Il would say that it was a po-
Htical assassination. Though 1t may
not have been. Raoul was quite a
ladies' man. He has been mixed up in
one or two rather sordid scandals.
There might have been jealous
woman. But that doesn't concern you,
Betsy. You have only one thing to
consider. That your name isn't drag
ged into this. The papers would make
big play of it if they found out that
you were at his penthouse alone with
him. 1t would be as juicy bit as If
you had actually killed Raoul."
Don't remind me, John, please" she
begged. "It hurts. 1t hurts--physi-
cally, like needles sticking in me-"
I'm sorry" he said. gently. II don't
want to hurt you. It's just that you
have that angle to face and nothing
else
"Oh, to think that one impulsive
moment would subject mother and
father q. all of us to this"
Don't think about it any more
Let's take today as we find it :.
minute by minute. And this is a WON
derful day, Betsy, if you will but cast
an eye at that sky"
1t was wonderful day, a brilliant.
singingly beautiful day, if ever one
was created. Yet BetSy's heart would
not sing. She rode for long while in
silence, listening to John as he hum
med the radio tunes, looking out over
Maryland clothed in its Fall robes
the sun making Christmas spangles on
the gold and russet live oaks, the tall
grasses of the pasture fields swaying
with the will of the soft breeZeS, the
gardens with chrysanthemums and
aSters in rowdy rows, the softly rolling
golf courses and the trim boxwoods of
the estates Of the wealthy, the COM
mercial SignboardS, bright splasheS of
color, giving out the virtues of many
products.
More miles, the long, underslung car
eating up the hours and the miles.
And then Harpers Ferry and white
frame tea house perched high on a
cliff looking down upon the sun
oSSSPOA R1LlC S1ONCS Vi tIlS
the shining silver network of the rail-
road tracks, the meeting of the four
rivers beneath a rusty iron toll bridge
that had been built before the Civil
War.
Il think" said John, climbing out of
the roadster, that I shall order
steak smothered in mushrooms, some
waft1es and a half-dozen vegetables.
Then I shall eat my way through
cherry pie. I am, in short, ravenous
If you will remember, left home on
an empty stomach"
Betsy wasn't hungry. She felt as if
she would never be able to eat again.
But she said, smiling: Same for me.
Only make it two steaks and two
cherry pies. And you might toss in
ton or two of waffles-if they come by
the ton here!"
John cooked quizzical eyebrow at
her slender waist Don't think YOU
can manage it, angel But it won't
hurt you to try, suppose I have
always wondered where slim little
things like you pack away your food.
Stay up nights puzzling over itl"
There were only few people in the
dining room, for it was too early for
supper and it was long after the
luncheon hour.
We'll, now for it!" said John, seat
ing himself across the shining table
from Betsy. The pretty little waitress
who stood at their elbows in crisp
organdy to match the curtains and
cheeks rosy to match the glow of the
flre, was lost on John. Betsy remem-
bered how Marshall always had some
thing almost impertinent to say to
any pretty girl who came his way
waitress, shop girl, a soda fountain
clerk. She remembered a remark
Marshall had made one night at an
inn where they had gone for SUNDAY
supper. A lovely girl had waited for
their orders and Marshall had winked
up at her, had smiled and said, 'Why
aren't you in the movies, good looking? |
With those eyes and those lips! You'd
send 'em bowling into the aisles!" She
remembered how embarrassed she had
been for the girl, for herself, for Mar
shall.
Betsy, are you blushing because I'm
actually ordering three steaks and |
three pies?" John asked, grinning.
And then to the waitress, looking up
into her face, not seeing her, "The |
order stands"
When the girl hurried off Betsy said
John, you are darling. Really, YOU
arep'
That" said John, "is the second
time you've told me that today. Once
more and shall believe It'll"
You're darling!" she said quickly,
dimpling. In those few brief moments |
OF reprieve she felt almost happy . i
as II all the fearful things that were
weighing down upon her had been
hfted away by kindly fingers.
They were eating the cherry pies
and arguing over whether milk with
tnem would give them tummy aches
Wnen Washington hotel orchestra on |
the radio signed of and man broad
casting news flashes for local paper
cleared his throat. That cough was.
Betsy remembered, the famous re-
porter's theme song She seized the
edge of her chair and looked I'D quickly
into Johns gray eyes. His face was
serious now. The laughter had gone
from the corners of his mouth. Neither
spoke
To Be Continued Tomorrow,