The Washington times., 1937-11-06

| AL SOAAy' UuC you see nad TO
get down here and see Cecilia. It
was the only way I could get away
from everybody-"
Stoddard stood up and walked
over to the windows which looked
out on the city, down on Fifth Az
enue. He threw up his hands.
Everything he tried to do for this
girl was wrong! 1t would come out,
he supposed, she had driven her
car in defiance Of everybody, and
he'd be in a spot again. But all
that was unimportant when he had
to decide just That to tell her to
do about the INQUEST
Karen, studying his back, hoped
he was not too angry with her. She
did not dare break in to his
thoughts. When he finally turned
around, he said in as matter-of-
fact a voice as he could muster:
What about tomorrow? Do YOU
want to go to the coroner's jury?"
If you think I should" She
lifted her eyes to his face. "The
only thing is I haven't any clothes
fit to wear, or any hat at all. If
I telephone home, there1l be
trouble"
Il should imagine. We can fix
the clothes. Henry will see your
coat is mended, your shoes dried.
You can buy a hat on the way to
court"
And over Karen'S protest, he
continued: I'll give you the
money. You won't have to use
your charge account"
What shall I do when I get
there?"
Just answer the district attor-
ney's questions"
How shall I answer themP"
Honestly, Of course"
But I don't want to get any
body in trouble"
"You won't, except you'll drive
your lawyer wild and your father,
too"
II don't care about that"
MYSTERIOUS CALL
She smiled. and stoddard found
himself smiling back at her.
Just then Henry came into the
room: Telephone, sill"
Stoddard went into the foyer
and closed the door while he
talked.
Karen, restless, got up and went
over to the windows looking out
on the city where Dick had stood
just a few minutes before. Karen
knew the telephone call was from
the girl in the silver picture frame.
+ 1t was odd what a sinking feel
ing that gave her. I'm just all
shot to pieces" She turned around
and hunted for cigarette.
When Stoddard finally came
back, it was clear he had been
having an uncomfortable few min
utes on the telephone.
I'm going to have to go out
for while. Miss Mallory" he said,
and his voice was more formal
now. you go to bed, get some
rest. Henry will see you have
everything"
"And you?"
Don't worry about me. Henry'll
fix me up"
He departed, leaving Karen to
cry herself to sleep.
It was hours later when Stod-
dard finally came back from his
appointment. AS he walked
through the foyer. the light struck
the davenport by the fireplace.
Karen was curled up under a
blanket. There were still traces
of tears on her cheeks. On the
hall table she had left a note:
II wouldn't let Henry put you out
Of your room. Thank you for
everything"
Stoddard tiptoed over and stood
watching the sleeping girl for a
few seconds. Then impulsiVely he
bent and kissed her half-parted
lips.
CHAPTER XIII
After that impetuous kiss
Stoddard stood a long time, bend
ing over Karen as she slept. She
did not awaken, only stirred and
sobbed little in her sleep.
With great intentneSs he
studied her face as she slept. The
long brown lashes, the petulant
red mouth, the tumbled golden
hair.
shes beautiful and selfish and
ignorant" Stoddard fled then
into his bedroom, shut and locked
the door. He leaned against it
for long time.
He had spent the evening with
Marcia West-Marcia whom he
had known for years, whom he
fully intended to marry some day.
1t was Marcia who had called him