Evening star., 1936-08-14
INSTALLMENT VIII.

- Deeds looked up Win
4 a pleased smile as Joan
dropped into the porch chair next
to his.
"Oh, that :? All right"
st love that air of composure you
have. I've been watching you for five
minutes you've been lost to the
world. And, when I speak to you.-
you're perfectly blase It's evident
that you're accustomed to heart con-
quests"
To Joan's surprise. Deeds accepted
her quiet raillery without a smile.
II was thinking about you," he re-
turned soberly. Hoping you didn't
60 in for afternoon maps and would
come out here"
you're only trying to be nice to me
-. after devoting the whole morning
to Claire. She surprised you, didn't
she?" -
Rather"
"By her swimming. mean. She's
the champion around here. And she
likes to fool strangers D.. some
times. I imagined :"
She didn't try to fool me much.
Jumped in the water and started her
stuff. She is good made me look
like 80 cents, guess"
so that's it. Your vanity's hurt?"
Deeds shook his head.
He wished that Joan would drop
her teasing mood. There was SO
much he would have liked to tell her
and couldn't. That matter Of Sloan
Elledge 1t might mean a good deal
to Joan. But he had eXacted prom
ise from Claire to keep it secret and
he had to hold to his part of the bar
gain, much as he disliked the idea OF
sharing condolences with her instead
of Joan. He was little piqued that
Joan was trying to give him the i'm
preston that the swimming excursion
of the forenoon was of little or no
consequence to her.
It probably wasn't. Which made
It all the worse.
"I really intended to come out and
watch you--from O discreet distance,
Joan persisted. Then saw you start
in search of solitude Almost every
body else went in the water. But
DR.. John was kind enough to enter
tain me here on the porch for a
while"
Did he?"
"Just before lunch, was all. He
had been up to Waples Beach and sat
down to cool off. thought he seemed
a little worried about his brother
said he came home and found him
sleeping. Very unusual. Mac!'
"Well?"
"You looked so funny just then.
What is it?"
Joan leaned forward. She asked the
question a little breathlessly.
Nothing"
please tell me-" Her bantering
air was gone completely. Deeds
glanced around cautiously before he
answered.
I'm not sure that I can," he said
slowly. "I usually make it a practice
of minding my own business. But
everywhere I turn here those two
medicos bob up. guess they're get
ting in my hair"
II know" Joan nodded uncom-
3ortably.
You'll think I'm turning goofy."
Deeds admitted, but they've got the
atmosphere all messed up for me.
know it's none of my never-mind.
don't have to stick around if don't
want to of course"
NO." Joan agreed in a low voice.
"You don't"
Deeds fancied he detected an en-
phasis on the pronoun. He knew he
was not mistaken about Joan's hands.
Her small fingers clenched suddenly.
You mean you do?" he ventured.
Il thought I told you So" Joan's
brown eyes were fixed on the water.
It was almost as though she we're
thinking aloud. IF I had known
about things here about every
thing, I would have found some way
to manage. can't do anything
how"
Yes you can. There's always a
way to do things" Deeds leaned over
the arm of his chair and spoke with
,S-iet decision. I'VE can figure things
out, Joan, if you like -. between us. I"
There's nothing to do" she re-
peated, almost flercely. Il don't know
why I'm bothering you with my small
troubles anyway"
Because we're friends" he said
simply. why not? I'd like to think
that there was something could ever
u f1,. flyA hnft hov ~
anything I can think Of I'm going
to pretend that you feel the same way.
Do you mind?"
No" Joan returned hesitating-
ly. Il don't mind"
Good. I'm glad I'm here. You've
given me reason to believe that you're
worried about things. I don't
know what it's all about. but don't
worry . too much. You're white,
free and 81 . even if you don't look
1t. There's always a way out of every
thing"
Are you so sure?"
"Of course" Deeds assumed a con-
fident air. IF you think there isn't,
just give me a chance. I'll show
you"
Joan smiled a trife wistfully. She
did not meet his eager glance, but
continued to watch the distant hori-
ron
Mac" she said, guardedly, Il want
you to tell me something. What has
happened since we talked yester-
day about those two men, I
mean? You've seen or heard some
thing What was it?"
Nothing &. of any Importance" !"
he returned, evasively. Joan's level
gaze made the answer difficult II
can't get them out of my mind. that's
all. Just have feeling there is some
thing queer there. I'd like to ask
you something. Did understand you
to say they never had been here be-
fore?"
I'm quite sure they never were"