Evening star., 1940-07-31
CHAPTER VI.

mo, said Mary courageously,
you want to know what your hus-
band was saying to me last night"
Mrs. Neville tapped a cigarette on
the back of her hand and fitted it
into jeweled holder. Not at all.
I'm not in the least interested. I
know what he talks about. No-I
want to tell you that I'm very dis
pleased with your behavior. You're
not the girl thought you we're"
Mary swallowed and felt actually
guilty under the accusing gaze of
the stormy black eyes across the
table. But Mrs. Neville, I've tried
so hard-and I've been in some
extremely difficult situations. What
is it I've done wrong?"
Mrs. Neville's eyebrows rose
slightly and expressed her displeas-
ure. Il see very clearly that the
bargain we made was merely so
many worthless words to you. You
are using the opportunity to dig
yourself in"
Mary controlled her indignant
anger and kept her voice low and
even. That isn't true, Mrs. Neville.
And supposing it was, what could
it matter to you if-if I did use the
opportunity to keep the friends l
have made in society?"
Ruby Neville leaned over the
table and said with incredible fe-
rocity. Don't try to deceive me.
You can't. I see what you're up to.
You're trying to take Kit Bardsley
away from me. I was a fool-a fool
to trust girl of no breeding"
That's enough" said Mary hot
ly, sliding along the leather cushion
bench to rise from the table. What
you say is a lie, and I'm going right
back to the Bardsley house this min
ute to pack my things and get out
of it,"
Ruby Demands Promise.
Wait-you fool" Ruby Nevilles
tone was sharp, but her eyes were
frightened. Mary sat down again
on the end Of the bench and looked
at her You can't do that. Kit
would lose the money. A contract
Is contract"
Il know" said Mary, land abuse
and suspicion isn't in it, so why
should I keep my part of it?"
Ruby Neville looked into Mary's
clear gray eyes and saw there a will
as indomitable as her own, and a
personal pride she had not counted
on. Very WELL" she said, "go back
and quit. I'll give you till tomorrow
to return every cent Of the $4,000
advance money"
Mary moved back into her seat
and a long silence fell between the
two into which rushed the roar of
the busy restaurant. 1t was Mary
who spoke at last. You're very
cruel, Mrs. Neville. You know why
1 went into this. I've spent a lot
OF the money. Already my mother
is getting better, but I'll give you
back all I have left, and as soon as
can-the rest of the money"
Mrs. Neville looked exasperated.
Don't be silly. I'm all nerves,
that's all. Can't you understand
that? But, of course, not. You've
never lived with a devil of a hus-
band who gloats over his power to
hurt you and spoil your life" She
sighed hopelessly. "Oh, God, I love
Kit. Don't you see how the situa-
ton makes me suffer-"
eyes, I do" said Mary, at once
sympathetic and impressed.
Then promise me you won't take
him away from me-promise by all
you hold holy"
Ruby Is Relieved.
Mary kept her temper. "Such a
thing could never happen. bue, of
course, I promise if it makes any
difference to you"
Mary parted with Mrs. Neville at
o'clock, the situation unaltered
/ except for the fact that the latter
had relieved herself by letting off
steam and warned Mary that she
was keeping close watch on fu-
ture developments. When they
emerged from the chop house there
was light snow just beginning to
powder the pavements. Mrs. New
lille had an appointment somewhere
In Wall street. Mary got into a taxi
and went straight home.
Kit was out when she arrived,
and she went into the music room
where the usual aromatic pine logs
burned slowly on the hearth and
surrendered herself to its sheltered
peace. She turned on the radio and
tried to keep her attention on the
music. But she could not. Her
thoughts were caught by her glimpse
into Ruby Neville's self seeking and
stormy soul. Words formed in her
mind and raced through 1t in end
less repetition. Exit is too good for
her-1 don't want her to have him."
The clock chimed five and maid
came in wheeling a tea wagon.
Mary lifted the silver cover off
dish and saw hot buttered mullins.
Elsie said you would like them"
said the maid, "it's such a cold
day"
Kit had gone out of town for the
day to visit a sick friend in the
country. Mary prepared for one of
her secret meetings with Martin.
She gave her jewels to Elsie to put
away and went out of the house
in a new tweed suit covered by
her old winter coat. I'm going to
see an old friend" she explained
TO dress smartly on this occasion
wouldn't be very good TASTE"
Mary Meets Martin.
Mary. however. had not thought
OF Martins feelings in this case.
She did not want to draw attention
to herself and risk recognition in
unaccustomed surroundings. She
took a taxi to a corner in Park
avenue, got out, walked down a
block, crossed the street and met
Martin waiting in his car in a dark
street off Lexington. She got in.
said Hello Martin, DEAR" and wait
ed for him to kiss her. He didn't,
he merely said Hello, Mary" in a
not very friendly tone, slipped into
| gear and at once started the car