Evening star., 1936-08-17
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H&'de )0AN
1y JOSEPH MeCoRD

felt would always remain. SCrangely
enough, there was no feeling of re-
sentiment unless 1t were the re-
curing fear that, perhaps, Joan was
sorry for him. Sympathy was the
last thing he wanted. Life had
brought them together out of no
where. He loved her. He always
would love her. And that was that.
It did not occur to him to doubt his
love. Nor did he rebel at Joan's at
titude. She couldn't help it. And
there would always be an under
standing after this. Joan might
need him. 1t would be his business
never to fail her.
Deeds felt moments discontinue
as they neared the cottage and he
saw Claire Lindsay sitting in a chair
near the front door where they
would have to pass. She was alone.
Have a good swim?" was her care
less greeting to Joan.
Very nice"
Joan hurried into the house and
Deeds attempted to follow, but was
halted with a drawled:
Here you are, boy friend. know
your nerves are ragged for one"
Claire was holding out her opened
cigarette case.
why thank you" Deeds ac-
cepted the offering and a folder of
matches. Claire watched him quiz
zically as he lighted his cigarette, then
suggested in low voice:
That was pretty swell thing you
did out there"
What do you mean?"
Getting Joan out. I watched you"
THAT wasn't anything. She was
getting little tired and we loafed in
together"
"All right. If it suits you to be
modest, I'll play your game. But
you're not foolirg me a bit. I went
in and got her fathers glass q. . q.
picked Joan up before you got to her
She was just about all in and don't
mean maybe. You were pretty pro-
feSsional, the way you went after her
I liked it so we'll that 1 climbed
up on that sand hill over there and
watched"
There was no danger" Deeds in
sisted. uncomfortahly. "All you have
to do is 10 keep your wits and not
wear yourself out
Sometimes you have 10 clout the
victim over her head" Claire smiled.
Il was glad to see that Joan be-
haved so nicely. How about getting in
touch with the Carnegie bunch q.
or whoever it is that hands out the
.nedalS?"
A dull red 5uffuSed Deeds face. 1t
was not because Claire was poking
fun at him he scarcely heard her
iast WORDS. 1t was the sudden Iealiza-
lion that she had been watching Joan
and him through pair of binoculars
'Ean't worry" she told him. coolly.
I'm always discreet. 1 chucked the
glasses and climbed down when
L saw the little gal was going to be
properly thankful. Id have felt the
same way . l hope. If you've got
any likker, you'd better take shot
good preventative
But Deeds was gone.
His mouth still was set in a grim
line when he came from his shower
and started TO dress once more. 1t was
very near time for the chime to sound
and he dreaded facing the others at
the table. He hoped, for Joan's sake,
that blond would have sense enough to
keep her trap shut She had said
something about being discreet, but
he had learned not to he surprised
at anything she said or did.
He wished he we're not hungry. But
he was. Undeniably.
To his surprised relief, Joan ap-
peared in her usual place and with
out showing any evidence of the ex-
perience she had passed through.
She met Deeds inquiring eyes with a
slight smile and turned to listen to
some remark from Mrs. Beckham.
What grand little sport she was!
And Claire was kind, too. She made
no reference to the episode and ate
her lunch almost in silence. The
talk at the table was general and
of no consequence.
1elllnS nlInSelI reSOlutely that 1t
would not be fair to attempt to seek
Joan's company much as he
wanted to Deeds decided that
his own was preferable to that of
any one else. He wanted to think
things over. He had to. 1t was going
to be a lot different after this. AL
though he did not feel in the mood
for exercise, he would stroll up to
NAPLES Beach and see If there were
any mail for him.
This time he was rewarded, 1t was
a thin envelope, but The postmark
was the desired one.
You're stayin' down at Kendalps.
aren't you?" the clerk asked, after
apparently deciding it was in order
to surrender the letter.
Temporarily" Deeds admitted. He
was tearing the end of the envelope.
Then tell your friends to send your
mail in their care and -
But Deeds was walking avav.
frowning as he glanced hastily
through the few typewriter lines of
his missive.
"Can voy, f;a thai .-.tp l. .