Evening star., 1936-08-26
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sx JOSEPh McCoRD

al OdAio AASAS s&AAN <Ss~&t - ~ - ~--~~--O~
of scene?"
Change, I fancy. There are some
things here that remind me how use
less I am to anybody. Funny thing
to say, but I've never done anything
that I know of to make another per-
son happy -. really happy"
"Snap out of it, then! There's your
mother and your .. sister. You're
lucky there. Probably others, If you'd
take time to think -"
Deeds found himself thinking sud-
denly of Joan. CASTOR once had fan
cied himself in love with her, accord
ing to Claire's story. He felt an un-
comfortable suspicion that she might
be in Genes mind now. Perhaps Joan
had refused him, too. Perhaps meet
ing her here Unexpectedly, after sew
eral years, had brought it all back.
Joan didn't love him that was
one sure thing. They seemed to be
good friends and nothing more. Deeds
had banished that first discomfort
about the trip the two had made to
Waples. Nothing to it. but -.
For some reason, this unexpected
mood of Gaston's had reused his rest
lessness and apprehension afresh. The
situation was more muddled than ever.
following Joan's refusal to leave home.
He hadn't expected that she could or
would accede to his wish, but it dis
posed of his one solution. Right back
where he started now.
He was relieved when Gene sudden
ly raped the dead ash from his pipe
bowl and looked at him. He displayed
his usual smile.
Sorry, McCune," he apologized.
"You must think me rather an ass q.
I don't now what hit me. Forget it."
That's all right. know what it
is to get in the dumps"
I'm going to chance one more ex-
planation," Gene said slowly. IT
haven't seen so much of you since you
came, but I like you lot. I guess
there's no harm in saying it, after all.
I've been hearing lot about you . . {.
from one of your admirers"
"Who?" Deeds demanded unthink-
ingly.
claire. You seem to have made
quite hit with her. Funny kid t..
she likes people a lot or not at all.
Doesn't usually make any bones about
letting them know, either. Rather
painfully candid"
"Shes mighty attractive" Deeds
admitted. And found himself sud-
denly thinking that it was true.
Il think so. She doesn't often let
any one see the best side of her nature,
but it's there. think we have some
of the same slants. I don't often re-
veal my inner workings to such friends
as I have fortunately for them.
Good of you not to appear bored. Do
you mind my saying that I wish we
might become better acquainted"
Again that impression of near visit
fulness in his voice
II don't see why we shouldn't"
Deeds said easily. We'll try to figure
up some stunts. I'd like to take a
whirl at some surf fishing and haven't
the foggiest notion about the tech
nique. Maybe you can show me-"
Fine" Gene did not sound par
ticularly enthusiastic. Shall we be
starting back?"
Slowly they mounted the steps lead
ing to the pavilion and sauntered past
the dance floor, watching the moving
couples on its shining surface.
Excuse me just second, old man,
will you?" CASTOR said unexpectedly.
"I1l find you here"
Deeds nodded abstractedly and
should have given no further thought
to the matter, had he not chanced
to see a man move from behind
group of chattering young people and
join CASTOR. He saw no greeting ex-
changed, but the two men certainly
were walking away together. And in
a hurried manner that suggested a
desire to escape from sight. Deeds
caught only glimpse of the stranger
"a thin white face and heavy brows.
Just enough to leave an unpleasant
recollection.
CASTOR must have seen the fellow
at distance. Why didn't he want to
be seen with him? He certainly gave
that impression. Deeds fingered
where he was, thinking it over.
Everything that happened around
this place seemed to be tagged with
mystery. 1t might be nothing more
than a fancy, but 1t was beginning
to get on his nerves. He had been
more than ready to revise his earlier
decision about CASTOR. The chap had
shown him an unexpected side to-
night, human and rather hkable.
He'd felt sorry for him and more than
willing to meet his approaches. Then
he had to go and pull this stunt.
Nothing to it, probably -. but queer.
When CASTOR appeared again, after
10 minutes, he was perfectly casual
in his manner. He merely remarked
that they would hunt up the car. If
Deeds were ready. And, after they
had started in the direction of Lay
land Cottage, his few contributions
were commonplace enough.
They found Deeds unresponsive.
He had almost nothing to say until
the car was in the garage. AS they
were about to start along the narrow
walk that skirted the side of the house
he spoke abruptly:
Going to be sticking around for
time, CASTOR? I understood you to
say something, didn't I, about clean
ing up some work."
Gene, giving himself final assur-
ance that the garage door was locked,
turned at the sudden question.
Eyes, said so. Why?"
"Just wondering when you would
have some free time was all"
"Oh, yes. will be busy for little
time yet"
Didn't mean to be personal. I'm
not sure just how long I'll he around
here myself"
"I hope you'll stay on a bit. I'll be
cleaned up for sure in a week 10
days, maybe"
(To Be Continued.)