Evening star., 1935-11-03
November ), 1885

Darllng! she heard her say before She
shut the cam.
That was on Wednesday, just two weeks to
the day before Alanna was to marry Stan
Marston - not publicly, not even with
home ceremony. They were to slip away by
plane, out of the state, and no one except
herself Alanna S personal maid, Hannah. and
one or two Others knew these secret plans
The double-crosser Marta said to her
self savagely. The beautiful cat! hate her
really! Yes, and take her mOney,' her honest
nature reminded her. But I'm loyal to her
interests" she defended "and who else could
look out for him like l do? Oh. darn"
AT eleven-forty she left the bungalow. su-
ated close to the XIX studios, and went to
the cafeteria on the corner for her lunch. At
the door she met Stan Marston. She couldn't
help wishing that he were meeting her there
by appointment, to sit at a little table and
talk for an hour. Then she took herself
severely to task. She! A secretary! Chiseling
on her boss in spirit But why not, she asked
herself hotly. Hadn't she graduated from
Iowa State! Wasn't she as cultured as Alana
Allen? Hadn't she a lot more brains and
the common virtues, at least, of honesty and
truth?
Good morning Miss Holland" Marston
took of his hat.
His grey eyes narrowed pleasantly when he
smiled, with little Crinkles at the corners. They
had looked on vast distances. those eyes,
beheld the grandeur of past glories
Marta felt her throat ache suddenly with
the desire to cry. Instead, she smiled and
looked deeply at him. Marta had nice eyes
too, and they had something of grandeur in
their own right - human understanding and
the deep beauty of fundamental kindness. The
man saw these things with grateful appre-
ciation.
Now ! know all about the Girl Scout
deeds" he said gently. "Ill bet you carried
jellies to the old ladies of the village in -
where was it = Kansas. Nebraska?"
Iowa" said Marta, grinning; but my
mother sent me-"
And you didn't pick wild flower on the
way, just on your OWN"
Maybe. She was such dear old lady -
paralyzed"
II see hope" he added SOLDERING that
you'll be always with Miss Allen. I'd like
her to have. always. such attributes about her
She needs understanding, Miss Holland"
There was great earnestness in his brown face
"A buffer" said Marta brightly.
Buffers is right, she thought grimly. but
they're yours you adorable IDIOT
How we'll you know what | mean he
said. land hope you'll stay on after "
"If Miss Allen still wants me. | shall be glad
to. But will she not perhaps be going with
you to the Andes?"
Instantly she regretted that. The nice eyes
clouded
"No, he said slowly. Il couldn't ask it. No
man could. Not from woman like Miss Allen,
with her career
But YOU" probed Marta desperately,
you will not give up your work."
81 don't know. he said slowly. "Perhaps.
After one more trip You know I'm leaving
in six weeks for Peru again"
"And leaving Alanna to her ways and
Don IIario," thought Marta
The next day Alanna gaciousy received
Marston. Don Hario was out of town on
location.
Darling Marta heard her say before he
inner door closed softly.
There was thin white line around the
girls mouth as she worked furiously OF her
accounts.
When Marston came out some two hours