Evening star., 1938-06-05

1t doesn't happen TO De a matter
of manners, said Curtis. "Barging in
on spies is accepted routine"
That is highly actionable word"
Sue whenever you like" replied
Curtis. You're quite decent fellow.
Baron. In your heart you probably
despise yourself as much as do"
"Ohr' gasped Audrey. Hes worth
two of you. He's twice the man you
are. AS for you, Curtis. you won't find
marrying your French flirt quite as
easy as you think - not If she has
any sense Of decency. I've seen to
that! Oh, go away. both Of you"
Throughout the scene Mrs. Ran
dolph was speechless and she re-
manned so during the journey back
to the hotel. Upon parting Curtis
looked at her troubled face at first
speculatively and then with sudden
affection. Would you like to go with
me tomorrow to London Sunday
breakfast, Mother?"
"Yes - with you"
"I'll call for you at IL AS"
Mrs. Randolph was still in daze
when her son conducted her, the next
day, to Marchamps House. A iackey
led them to a small lift and thence
into a domain whose privacy seemed
to deny the very existence OF the vast
reception rooms she had been enter
tanned in a short while before.
The Marques came forward.
Mrs. Randolph" he rumbled,
I'm sorry my wife happens to be out
oftown" He drew Joan forward. This
is my niece, Mademoiselle Jocelyn
Anne Montvert de Naucandieu."
Curtis introduced MIR. Drake.
young man from the Embassy. whom
he had asked to be present as wit
ness. "Ah. MIR. Drake" said the Mar
guess. Wont you sit down. both Of
you? Here. Mrs Randolph. I'm sure
you will find this a comfortable chair"
Mrs. Randolph could scarcely take
her eyes off Joan. The first thing she
noticed was her frock, pale gray, high
throated, long sleeved and proclaim
ing in its very simplicity the cachet of
exquisite taste and mastery execu-
ton Then she saw Joan herself, the
sweet anxiety of her lovely face and
the pleading expression in her eyes.
She was lovable child, lovabIe in
sense Mrs. Randolph could not re-
call having applied to any other girl.
Yet dignity and self-possession de-
clared her no child the moment she
moved to 60 to Curtis. Curtis. why
did you telephone me and make me
promise not to open any letter? How
did you know letter would come -
on Sunday morning."
IF hadn't guessed it might" said
Curtis, Il wouldn't have telephoned."
He buried his eyes in hers. loan, do
you remember what you said when |
asked if you trusted me? Keep on
trusting, my dear. Give me the letter"
She handed him crumpled en-
velope. May read it - afterward?"
Immediately afterward," said Cur
tbs and turned to stand aghast before
the vision which at that moment was
ushered into the room. Eric" he
gasped, and then recovered himself
from the shock of MIR. Felderman's
newly bought sartorial splendor.
Mother. l want one of the best
friends have in the world, MIR. Eric
Felderman, to meet you"
Eric acknowledged the introduction.
then pulled him aside. What do
| do, Curt?" he asked agonizedly.
Curtis slipped tiny object into his
vast hand. Just stand beside me
ready to hand this over when stamp
on your foot"
The Marques tapped bell. A
clerk of the court entered accompan-
led by a curate in canonicals. Curtis
dragged Felderman into position.
The ceremony began. transporting
each and everv individual DreSent