Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1937-03-19
CHAPTER 4

Instantly Ian softened. "Look here.
You heard what was said at that cock
tail hour? This Lolita's lovely and
simple appearing, I'll grant but you've
got to get a grip on yourself. Don't
throw away the love of really sweet
and clever girl like Ilya. l tell you
she is one in thousand and she wor-
ships you"
"That's the worst of i'll" sighed the
shorter man. 81 feel like a perfect
swine. I've told myself so hundred
times day for the last two weeks
Ilya's so damnably loyal" He rails
ell stricken gray eyes. "But-I can't
help myself there's something about
Lolita that just disorients me, she an
initiates my sense of values-I know
it's ruinous to play with her, but L
damn it. Ian, am crazy with
love for her!"
you're not" snapped the big man
in evening clothes, the miniature dec
orations sparkling with the vehemence
of his negation. Anything so fierce
and quick as this silly infatuation of
yours is bound to burn out even quick
err. Then you'll wake up to find your
career at an end and the girl you loved
hating the thought of you. Think it
over, Len, is it worth it?"
From the far end of the room sound
ed the laughter and voices of the other
men guests who, in a brilliantly-uni-
formed throng, had gathered to listen
to Captain d'Armonot's latest story.
"Tell me-" said Ian suddenly, "who's
that fellow in the dark green uniform
the little fellow with the long nose
and the black moustache?"
When Leonard's eyes encountered
that family menacing figure, he stiff
fened and bit his lip.
"That," said he, "is Colonel Sobeloff
a Bulgarian bird of some sort who fell
in love with Lolita when she was in
Sofia couple of months ago. She's
told him a dozen times to stop fol-
lowing her, but he won't. He's a crazy
sort, swears he'll kill her and himself
some day if she won't marry him."
"He looks quite capable Of it. Re-
member, Leonard, Bulgarian isn't
troubled half so much about killing
supposed enemy as the next man.
Watch out, and for lords sake get
back to earth before it's too late!"
The younger mans face lit in path
etc admiration. II will-and-you're
mighty good egg, Soldat!" And Leo
nard impulsively squeezed his hand,
then STROBE off, ever followed by the
smoldering regard of the stocky Bull
garian.
"Of all the crazy idiots!" growled
Ian Gray as he unobtrusively ap-
preached the group of listeners to the
French artilleryman's story. His at
tention, however, was not on d'Armon-
OTIS cleverly risque anecdote as he
edged around the circle until he found
himself directly behind the darkbrow-
ed Colonel Sobeloff. AS he had fear
ed, there was indeed certain omi-
nous bulge under the Bulgarian's tunic
back.
can automatic" he decided. "Prob-
ably 80. Well, WE'LL" And forth
with he determined to pay close atten-
ton to the movements of the short but
powerfully built officer in green and
gold.
Presently Ian made an opportunity
TO again address that maddeningly
beautiful enigma who went under the
name of Lolita Won Waldeck. Some
thi4g like a duelist who approaches
the field of honor and studies his op-
ponent, he viewed the white clad girl
with thoroughness and clear headed
ness that surprised him. But the
more he scanned her implanted, unlin-
ed and placid features the more utter
ly at sea he felt. Lolita Won Waldeck
seemed as utterly fresh and unsoiled
as Coleridge's "Sea-gorn Cythera,"
and her eyes, when they met his, were
as clearly blue as the waters of the
Mediterrac can.
Could it be this girl who had led
di Valasto to suicides grave? Could
this laughing and fragile creature real
ly have been responsible for that
young British diplomats disgrace at
Bucharest? 1t seemed utterly i'm
possible, yet here was the morose and