Evening star., 1937-10-05

q luxurious hotel with plenty Of lights,
and dance orchestra playing in a
ball room, and bellboys
in scarlet and gold uniforms-head
walters in full dress-all that sort of
thing. 1t was clammy in the trailer,
and by the weak light of the single
bulb she observed that the Journey
from New York had not been made
without accident A half-dozen Jars
of jam had broken loose in the small
trailer until they had smashed. There
was raspberry jam in the center of
the floor and strawberry jam at the
loot OF the lower bunk. Irene shifted
harder. Charlie was opening her
fitted suitcase. He picked out a chif-
ION nightgown. A very beautiful one.
A creation of which Margi. had been
extremely proud.
He held it up to the light for a
moment and shook his head. He
yanked open a drawer. You'd freeze
to death in that" he said. only got
two blankets apiece. Have to use
coats anyway" He tossed something
to her and she caught it. 1t was a pair
OF flannel pajamas. Irene realized
that If she put them on she would
itch for a month.
Charlie was stretching and yawning.
Boy" he suddenly said exultantly.
Isn't 1t great to be out of the city?"
Irene realized she could bear it no
more. She spoke with some vigor. IF
you think I'm going to stay here freez-
ing to death in all this jam, you're
crazy"
There ensued a 15-minute debate.
Irene won it. Charlie was in a some
what subdued state of mind when he
turned his unit caravan out of the
trailer camp. At the entrance to the
camp he slowed down. Just off the
main road there was a parked coupe
Charlles headlights played upon it and
Irene observed within it heavily
bearded man. who was apparently
asleep. Charlie blew his horn several
tlmes. The man sat up and stared at
them. They drove past, he started his
motor. Irene leaned out and to her
aStonlShment observed that he was
following them down the main high
way.
She said as much. THAT man YOU
pew your horn at is coming right
along behind US"
L know it." Charlie replied.
Why?" she asked pointedly.
Because Margit told him to-"
"Margit!"
Its Keough." Charlie glanced at
her out OF the corners of his eyes.
1t couldn't be! The man behind
us had long gray beard"
1ts keough with big gray beard.
he was poking around the parking lot
IN New York before we left and he
hung right behind us all the wav. I
watched him in my mirror. Tried to
lose him once or twice. He's a pretty
good driver"
You mean Margit had Keough dis
gulse himself and follow us up here o"
Charlie nodded.
For the first time since her de-
parture. Irene relaxed In the dark
ness she was able to shed a few tears
OF relief, apparently without giving
herself away. Faithful old Keoueh
was right behind them! Even in this
terrible extremity Margits long arm
had reached out to save her. She felt
brave again, and sure of herself She
put the emotion into words. I'm glad
keough followed us. I love you. Char
lie, but l shouldn't have run awav
with you like this. 1t was wrong"
charlie pursed his lips and whistled
rer1ectlvely for a moment. Il guess
you're right, Irene" he said finally.
About 20 miles up the line there's a
place called the Prince James Hotel
IL put you up there and camp in nv
prairie ark. Tomorrow YOU can 90
nome on the train and Keough can
certify that your behavior vas exem-
plary."
Now that she felt secure-now that
she realized that Charlie did not in
tend to be menace-or that she did
not have to sleep in flannel pajamas
amid sea of spilled jam and broken
glaSs-her emotions underwent change.
IL. was presumptuous of Margit. she
thought, to send Keough sneaking
along behind them. Margit controlled
everything and interfered in every-
thlng. She could picture herself get
ting home on the following evening
and hearing Margit say with calm
righteousness, you almost made a
little mistake, dear. I'm glad you were
sensible enough to find it out in time"
The more she thought about it the
angrier she became. Here she was in