Evening star., 1936-08-11

j brown eyes that accompanied
It changed the entire world for
Deeds McCune.
Joan had excused herself at once
and disappeared. a matter that met
with Deeds approval He wasn't
quite sure what had happened, but
it was something that needed care
full thinking over. And in the soli-
tude of his own quarters. You'd
better get this straight, kid" he re-
minded himself grimly, once his door
was shut. He shed his coat, dropped
into the armchair rocker and lit a
cigarette mechanically.
He was conscious Of vast con-
tentment above everything else, but
it made him uneasy. He wasn't quite
ready to admit that he had fallen in
love with Joan, but she was
sweet. 1t didn't make sense, but may
be he did love her. In that case, he'd
better 60 slow. She had accepted
him as a friend . no getting away
from that But that might be all.
Her little confidence in regard to ner
father still fingered pleasantly. And
yet that might have been inspired by
worry fear, even.
Deeds jaw frightened little at
that. He almost wished that fat guy
would prove unpleasant in some way
If he ever made himself objectionable
to Joan but that was childish
And there was Gene CASTOR. Deeds
almost had forgotten him. Where
did he fit in? If at all. Joan had
said nothing about her drive with
him to NAPLES. Had she avoided any
mention of it purposely or did
she consider it too trivial? And yet l.. .
Something strange about it all.
Deeds was at some pains to re-
mind himself that he had come to
the shore to rest his eyes. He had
other things to do than indulge in
a romance with the first pretty girl
he met one he never had seen
before and, probably. never would
see again after this vacation was end
ed. Yet Joan was different from any
other girl -.
Sweet
He still was lingering under the
spell of his new-found happiness
when the soft note Of the chimes put
an end to his dreaming. Hastily he
arrayed himself in a clean shirt and
spent several minutes in adjusting his
tie before it satisfied.
You're a FOOL" he told his refiec-
ton dutifully.
Deeds would not have been sur.
prised to discover his old place al
the table awaiting him. It would
have been in order to have Joan dt-
rectly opposite. SO that they might
exchange an occasional and amicable
glance assure each other that
the new understanding still was in
effect.
However, the colorless Miss Ander-
son was in the coveted place. And
Joan. She merely raised her eyes from
her plate and gave him a brief nod
as he entered the room. He stalked
gloomily to his chair and seated him
self, to receive a drawled greeting
from Claire.
"Oh. hello!"
Hello"
Deeds glanced across the table as
he said it and encountered Genes
eyes. CASTOR nodded and smiled,
but there was something inscrutible
mocking almost in his ex-
preston. 1t stirred Deeds former re-
sentiment to its former intensity, but
Claire demanded his attention.
Did you know that you had mar.
row escape this afternoon, Mr.. Nc
Cune?"
From what?"
Going swimming with me. I tried
to find you. I understand that you're
clever .. in the water. I'm not
too much afraid, guess"
That was no escape" he lied gal
lantly. THAT was real misfortune ~
Very pretty. If you really mean
that it's date. I'll be looking for
you in the morning. About 10. Will
that suit?"
On, yes sure"
Deeds poniard a crisp piece oi
bluefish with a savage thrust of his
fork, as Jere Kendall proffered the
platter. There was nothing appetiz-
ing about food tonight it sug-
gested bait. And he was experience
ing all the unpleasant sensations Of
having them hooked. He hadn't
realized until just now that he. had
been counting on swim with Joan
after breakfast. He'd feel like q foo
sure If she were to suggest it and
he had to explain he'd promised tc
go in with this blond. He hoped Joar
had heard her then she'd under.
stand that he couldn't have done any.
thing but accept.
Deeds glanced warily down the
length of the table. But Joan wal
listening raptly to some vacuous &C.
,z.I3|| ~