Evening star., 1940-08-07
CHAPTER XII.

When Mary opened her eyes she
was packed in warm blankets, lying
at peace in her own room. A nurse
in a white uniform, a strange dapper
little man with a pointed black
beard, and Kit were standing over
her. The doctor was holding her
wrist between fingers and thumb.
She said family and incredulously,
Tim still alive"
He smiled and nodded. "She will
be all right now. l go-I come back
later, I have more to say to you.
Come, mademoiselle-"
The nurse went softly out of the
room with him. 1T was dark out
side. and quiet with the deathly
stiffness of the small hours. Only
the carved ivory reading lamp
burned beside Mary's bed. Kit sat
on chair beside her and drew one
of her hands from the blanket pack
and pressed it to his mouth. His
back was to the light and his eyes
were pits of shadow, but Mary heard
his love and anxiety in his tender
voice. Dear God, thought I'd lost
you. I was in hell. 1t was like my
heart being torn out of my living
body. Now that I know what you
mean to me, how can let you go?"
There was a loud singing in
Mary's ears and a swimming sensa-
ton in her brain as If she were still
rocked in the black water. She
fought against a warm enveloping
drowsiness. Dear Kit" she said,
moving her fingers weakly against
his cheek.
Kit groaned. Its hell for all of
us, whatever we do. She helped
me to save you-"
"She?" said Mary sleepily, "who?"
Ruby. When I missed you and
swan about trying to find you, she
was there first. She went under
and brought you up. She had
missed you too"
Mary Blames Ruby.
1t was as if bell rang loudly in
Mary's brain. She was at once pain
fully, alertly conscious, living again
the last few moments before her
oblivion. But Ruby didn't try to
save me Kit" she said, "she tried
to drown me-"
AS his hands frightened on her
fingers she felt the shock run
through his body. mo, Mary-it's
Just not possible"
But it is-it is" insisted Mary.
II wasn't in difficulties at all. I'm q
strong swimmer. I went under the
rocks to be away by myself. I was
lying on my back looking at the
stars and drifting when I heard
some one coming. In another min
ute my arm was twisted under me
and was dragged down. She pulled
me up to tell me she was doing it
and then I saw it was Ruby
Neville"
"She told you she was drowning
your" Kits voice was hoarse with
incredulity and horror.
Eyes. She said she wanted me to
know she had got even with me.
couldn't help myself. 1t was awful.
She said the way she was holding
me down was jujitsu she had learned
while in japan"
my God" he said, "it's not pos
sible. Even with her jealous RACES
I can't believe it-I just can't be-
lieve it"
Mary felt drowsiness overwhelm-
ing her again. Her heavy eyelids
fell over her eyes and she spoke
very family. I'm sorry, Kit-it's
true"
The door opened softly and the
nurse returned to the room. "She's
quite out of danger now. M. Bards-
ley, will take care of her. You
will 60 away now-yes?-and get
some Sleep"
Mary Wakes Later.
When Mary awoke again she
knew it was afternoon by the long
slope of the beams through the
chinks of the sun shutters. Kit was
sitting beside her. Mary looked at
him without speaking. He was abb
solutely motionless, a look of grief
about his mouth and his eyes closed
as If he were very weary. He felt
her gaze on him and opened them.
How are you feeling now, dearest?"
She coughed a little. There were
still some troublesome drops of
water in her lungs, but the singing
in her ears had considerably dimin-
ished. Better, thanks, kit. Well
enough to get up, in fact"
Not today, Mary. Not until the
doctor gives the word. But / have
been thinking. When you're really
stron1-" j