Evening star., 1935-09-16

OTQ III washington.
Now, however. there was no op-
portunity for reflection, for Carl had
come out on the porch and he and
Bill stood a little way off and con-
versed in low tones.
Lee Monday put hand on AIMS
arm and said solicitously, You're
shaking, Ann. Hadn't you better go
1nside?"
Ann nodded. "Ill run up and get
my coat" she told him. You won't
run away?"
And what, she asked herself as she
hurried up the steps, could she have
been thinking about to ask such q
ridiculous question? -. She re-
jected the answer that instantly sug-
gested itself, but she knew it was true
The pressure of Lees hand on her
arm had somehow quieted her nerves.
1t had been assurance that in all
this excitement she was not for
gotten. She needed some one to be
aware Of her now, for this ghastly
thing had come as a seeming con-
firmation of that sense OF impending
tragedy which had been q gnawing
fear all afternoon, and her courage
had been shaken.
AS she passed through the door and
turned toward the stairs, Ann had q
glimpse of Selma and Deane Run
brecker standing just inside the draw
ing room door. Selma had a hand
on Deane's arm and was leaning a
little forward as If whispering Deane's
face was strangely grave and-Ann
thought-a little pale.
Ann Don't come up. I have
your things" Rita had appeared at
the head Of the stairs, hat and cape
on, and AIMS hat and light coat on
one arm. She came down quickly, q
vision Of loveliness peculiarly in har-
mony with her luxurious setting
Your hunch wasn't so foolish after
all, was it? -. Did you hear why Lee
was late?"
Ann hooded. "He told me about
the message" She slipped into the
coat and followed Rita to the porch.
Lee was talking to Bill Bill said, Il
think you'd better stay here. Ann"
Stay here?" Ann repeated and
suddenly understood that they were
not going back to Mollie's apartment.
They were going with Senator Run
brecker to identify Fuhrman Wells
body!
Once more Lees hand closed on her
arm. What do you want to do,
ANN"
Il want to CO." she said instantly,
"back to the apartment"
You what?" Bills face screwed up
In an expression Of complete disgust.
Don't be a big baby, Ann"
Lee gave Ann no opportunity to
reply to this. 20. k" he said. "Ill
get my hat"
Bill said firmly. "Carls going with
the Senator and Deane. That means
youT have to take Rita, Lee"
"Of course" Lee said; but he could
only stare q moment later when he
saw Bill slip an arm through AIMS
and almost drag her of to his car.
Shut up" Bill snapped when Ann
tried to protest. You may be O little
coward. but you're not going to ad-
vertise the fact II can help it." He
did not wait for her to get in when
they came to the car but picked her
up bodily and set her in the seat.
Ann told herself that she was furi-
os, that Bill Hudson was an over
bearing brute and that she hated him
with all the hatred of which she was
capable. All Of which was untrue, for,
unreasonably, she was pleased no end.
Bill would not look at her, but as
they followed the Senator's car out
onto the highway, he told her, I'll
never understand how your mother
could let you come away from home" +"
He must have taken 1t for granted
that she was sulking, for when her
tinkling laughter quivered above the
roar OF the motor, his head came
around with jerk. "And now what's
% funny" he demanded.
"Ch, Bill" Laughter was still
In her voice as she twisted around in
the seat and pulled her legs up Under
hsr and leaned against him. You
don't know how funny you are. You
diSapprove of everything I do-you
scowf and growl and quarrel like
somebody's grandfather. And yet when
you have chance to be rid of me,
you grab me up like q pet pup or
something and lug me Off"
He took a few moments to think
that over, then: You don't think I've
brought you along because I like to
have you around?"
She nestled her cheek against his
arm. Eyes, darling. that is precisely
what I think what can't under