Evening star., 1937-08-21

= \ 4
biggest bet Of his life, so he could
have money enough to marry you.
didn't know it was a secret-from
you, of all people"
Carols eyes looked like two stars as
she leaned over and kissed him
"Kiff1e, 1 love you'll" she cried, as
she ran away in the direction Duke
had taker
Duke turned toward her as she ran
into the bar and called his name.
Yes. Carol" he said without an
ger, without any emotion whatever
Her voice was low when she spoke
to HIM, and it was shot through with
feeling.
Duke" she said, will you forgive
me? You must, Duke. You will-if
you love me-"
He looked at her steadily as he said
II there was anything which called
for forgiveness 1t was forgiven. But
she would not let him off with that.
Too long they had misunderstood each
other. day-noW-everythin in
their hearts must be brought out into
the open. Pride-reServe--Wh did
they matter, If they loved each
other?
why didn't you tell me-instead d
OF Fritzie-that you wanted to marry
me?"
1T was dumb, I suppose. But I
didn't know it myself-worse luck.
Fritzle knew it before 1 did. Now, I
see that I've loved you for a long
tlme-even that day on the train.
l went ga-ga then, l guess, when I
thought I'd lose Madison"
But, Duke, what difference did
the money make? 1t is good thing
TO have around the house, of course.
but there are other things-love, for
| instance"
Your father made me promise lust
before he died-you remember I was
alone with him-that I'd take care
OF you. l knew he wanted you to
have another life than that of the
tracks. I wanted it, too So figured
1t out that l had to make nv pile
before / could ask you to marry me "
Her voice was throbbing with ten
derness as she asked: And now
now, Duke, how do you eel?"
Before he could answer voice
broke in on them an angry voice, call
ing to Carol. They swung around
and faced Hartley Madison. Carol
TOOK step toward him.
There is an explanation due Won
Hartley" she said. I'm sorry if ba 6
10 come like this-I love Duke"
He drew back from her. In his face
was the look one sees on an animal
"hlch has been wounded. Carol saw
IT, saw 1t was real She felt she could
not bear to look at his face but she
knew she must This was the dav
"hen all that was in their hearts-the
three OF them-must be brought out
| into the open at last.
Hartley" she said, and there vas
| dignity IN the simple way she said if
you VIII Just have to take nv word
lor II that I am sorry if I have to
make you unhappy. even for a mo-
ment. And you must believe me
"hen l say l tried to think I was
mistaken when first knew I was in
love with Duke. I denied it to NV
| sell. That was why I was so nervous
so irritable. I couldn't 90 on denving
the truth any longer l meant to tell
Sou-eVen before l knew Duke loved
me. 1 knew l couldn't marry YOU"
There was silence for a long mo-
ment. 1t was broken by Madison He
held out his hand to Duke.
L guess the best man wins" he said
Then to Carol: 1T was lovely Carol
perhaps too lovely to be true"
Carol held out both her hands to
him.
Thank you, Hartley" she said
And forgive me"
She watched him leave and then
turned to Duke. She spoke gavlv. AL
most hlppantly. She couldn't 60 on at
such an emotional pitch.
Ihs time you don't turn me
oo"n, she declared. I've broken nv
engagement to one man. Do YOU think
l intend to be left stranded?"
III Lightning doesn't prove to be
the winner. I'll be left stranded"
Well there's always the tin cun
we I'VE talked SO much about. I'll stand
on the corner with you. That doesn't
matter The one thing which does
matter is-Im going to be Mrs. Duke
Bradley"
| An ear-splitting roar crashed
through the room from the outside
Shouts OF Joy and shrieks of grief we're
mingled in that mighty noise. IT
could mean but one thing-the de-
cislon had been posted. Hand in
hand, they rushed to the door, They
stood on tiptoe to see what was on
the board-it was impossible to tell
from the cries of those around them
which horse had won. They strained
their eyes. Then they saw tit was =
number seven. They had never seen
anything so big, SO bright, so beauti-
ful in their lives.
No. was Lightning!
(The endO