Evening star., 1935-06-10
ENENI:;S :;S(2A'calKIyS :4z:z :4S4;

Il don't think any one. gathered
it was just sort of by chance"
He said. Il SEE" thoushtfully
and after a pause. Go on"
And in the end he declared, IT still
don't understand. What's she got to
do with Warley?"
ITS her house"
He gave a little nod as II he had
expected that: sat staring at the
table. Drumming softly with his
fingers, deep in thought. After a
while he looked up and hts eyes were
somher.
do you think she really mixed
those kilograms by mistaken"
II don't know" Alison admitted,
reluctantly. She had tried through
out her story not to say anything
unkind against Daphne. i suppose
it's possible"
Possible, yes" he admitted.
Il don't quite see what point there
Is in doing it on purpose, do you?"
No" He seemed note quite certain.
What did you say her name was?"
Mrs. Sumers. Daphne Sumers
Why? Do you know her?"
mo. I've never heard the name
before" She fancied that for mo-
ment he hesitated before saying that.
Your father hadn't known her long?"
mo. They only met few weeks
ago. BY the way, it was out in Nice. "
He said nothing but his hand went
suddenly up to his mouth as if to
hide it. When he frowned like that.
he had a deep vertical line between
his eyebrows. 1t wiped the boyish
friendlineSs out of his face, made him
almost frightening Alison had a
feeling that he did not see her sitting
there on the high-backed wooden
settle opposite, as if he was looking
through her at something far away.
He asked abruptly. What did she say
about me?"
Il don't know" Alison confessed.
She didn't say it to me. on,y to
father. I gather she thought that
you were a crook and after my
mon" She stopped dead, the words
cut of her lips, that fatal flush ris-
ing and flooding her face 1t was as
if the unfinished word had been writ
ten there, and he could read it.
Il see" His whole face seemed to
set stif1y
Il wish I did," It meant next to
nothing, that. She had spoken to
hide her own embarrassment. Hur-
ried on with no other end. Can you
make head or tail of 1t? I mean, the
kilograms and everything9'
Il don't know" He said it
slowly, still distracted and upset
Rose suddenly. Il say, let's get out of
this"
He paid the bill; when they we're
in the car, he turned up North, drove
straight toward Regents Park in
silence. Alison, watching his face
wondered why her story had worried
him so, but she did not like to ask
They were half way round the arc of
Hamilton place when he spoke un-
expectedly. "When's your father get
ting married."
Il don't know. In about six weeks,
I think he said"
He considered that soberly, as II
1t made a great deal of difference.
He said slowly, I'm not quite sure
what to make Of all this. I'D like
to think over it. Will you do one
thing for me?"
MN. OF course!" she agreed
readily. "What?"
Il want you to say nothing about
our lunch today 1 mean to your
stepmother. mean, nothing about
me. Will you do that?"
Yes" she promised at once Then,
Can you tell me why?"
He hesitated.
She may be some one know. I
I'd rather not talk about it till I'm
sure"
II see." Then, doubtfully. What
about my father?"
They had reached the gate out into
Baker street before he answered.
Il don't know. What do you
think?''
IF I tell him, he's going to tell
her." said Alison decisively. Il won't
If you don't want me to-
I'm asking rather lot of you,
am I not?"
mol" she smiled back. IT trust
you"
For q moment his expression
startled her; he looked so terribly
upset. Profoundly, painfully moved.
Il wonder II I'm being fair to you'll"
He said that almost to himself.
Looked round at her with a sharp
turn of the head, as if he had not
made up his mind. Then, staring
ahead. frowning. drove the length OF
Baker street out into the Edgeware
road. He said as if there had been
no break in the conversation, Look
here. will you give me q week-no, say
10 days?"
eyes" She met his eyes firmly.
you know, you're rather a won-
derful person!' For an instant his
left hand dropped from the wheel.
no more than touched hers in silent
thanks.
Alison did not answer. She could
not speak.
They were at the turning into
Chester Square when she asked.
what about meeting?"
We mustn't" He said that firmly.
ut wouldn't be right"
Tomorrow, Alison sees something
disturbing.
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Vehicles May Be Taxed.
Ceylon may tax road vehicles burn
ing fuel oil. -