Evening star., 1939-10-08

brown coat over 1t, carrying an Old
brown felt hat that was vaguely ia
miliar His heart almost stopped, tor
at first he thought it was Pamela.
Then he saw that it was Dollie. His
heart thudded painfully in his throat
and he stood quite still, certain that
whoever it was she would not want to
have anything to do with him.
She came on, swinging her hat, and
then she saw him. She gave little cry,
but it wasn't horror. He couldn't be-
leve it, not even when she was in his
arms. her soft lips against his She was
crying: "Oh, Miles, my darling one.
You're back, - back at last!'
1t swept him off his feet. He had
been so hungry for little love. little
kindness. Her hands were about his
face, gentle. kind. Her voice murmured
dear, silly. broken things to him.
''Dollie," he said. "Oh, Dollie."
And he might have drowned!
Your feet are wet" she whispered.
You'll get cold Oh. my sweet"
He mumbled. his face against hers:
They might have been wetter. You
don't know how much wetter." They
went into deserted stable and sat on
bale of hay.
You believe in me? You believe
didn't do it,"
Il knew you didn't do it. You
aren't the sort. The talk made me
furious. I've gone to church every day
since you went away, to pray for you.
I've just counted the days"
Your father won't like it,, he whis-
pered, remembering Mr. Pagham with
start
"I'm twenty-six. I've saved my al
lowance since you went away. l
haven't bought even hat - this one
was PANS. I've got little money
now. No one can stop me-" Her voice
was firm. Old Dollie. they used to call
her. Old Dollie And she was lovely.
There had never been any one like her
in the world. Why hadn't he known?
We'll go right away. darling. Wen
begin life again together somewhere
else
You'll do that for me?"
'I'll do anything"
Funny" he said huskily. And I'd
be dead now, if it wasn't for a queer
little bloke with a beard, who came
stalking me- l meant to 60 over the
sluice, Dollie. But he hung around"
1T sounds like the Ledburys' refu-
gee Everyone is taking in refugees. =.
believe this one is a bit mad. No one
can understand thing he says"
The sun climbed high. melting the
frost in the hollows about the fields.
They whispered together, forgetting
the world.
The past is dead. Well wipe out
the past and forget it." said Dollie.
We've no links from now on. you
and L.
Maybe it was this that reminded
Miles that he still had link with the
past. an unpleasantly real past. The
parcel Gervase had given him was still
hidden in the loft. containing heaven
knew what damning evidence or hor-
rid secret, and he had forgotten all
about it, He must destroy it without
delay, before anyone found it.
On his way back to the Vicarage for
his things he went by the barn. No one
was around. He crept quietly up the
ladder and pulled the spiggot of wood
out of the hole. The parcel was still
there. With shaking fingers Miles tore
it open. Supposing he was found with
it, before ne had time to burn it! He
saw now what a fool he had been -
what guileless unsuspecting fool!
There was note in Gervase's hand
writing.
Dear Miles:
hate to have to make mug
of you like this. You are too trust
ing. You live in a world that
doesn't exist any longer "a world