Evening star., 1940-08-03
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I'D Ill{ # (H=by Olga {. Ro>maaith :

what she saw in his intense blue
eyes. Eyes, you know now. And
anyone else would have seen 1t
long ago"
Mary felt a passionate pity for
him. you mustn't talk like that,
Charles. I can't take it seriously" !"
"You will take it seriously. I'll
make you. love you, Mary-I
love you-."
She tried to draw her hand away,
but he held 1t tightly. "You can
see what's happening, Mary. Ruby
Neville's getting him back again.
or else"
"Or else what?" She felt her
heart stammer with apprehension.
"Or else the whole things fake.
People talk, you know. Every one
was wondering how they would
jump that hurdle and hang on to
the money
Mary did not speak. She felt
like the criminal who feels
a hand on his shoulder and dares
not turn around. Her head went
very cold and black wells swan
over the sunlit green of the gar
den. She was staring at Charles
but she was not seeing him. Dear
God" she said pasionately, I'm a
brute "a beast I've hurt you
Mary"
Charles Seeks Truth.
She heard his voice from a long
way off and clutched desperately
at her presence of mind. Her free
hand went up to the pulse that beat
wildly in her throat. Charles voice
sounded right beside her now. I'm
blundering fool I can see I was
wrong. Forgive me, Mary"
She smiled with stiff lips. II un-
derstand you, Charles. You 60 lit
tie crazy when you're in love-but
it was terrible thing to say"
"A little crazy! Don't deceive
yourself, Mary. I'm nearly out of
my mind. That's why I thought
these things-listened to what peo-
pie say. stay awake nights think
ing"
80 chats what people say. said
Mary, fastening on the one thing
that interested her.
Dear, you know what people
are. If you don't you should
they've done plenty to you. That
isn't the only thing I've heard. But
never mind about that. Tell me,
Mary, once and for all is it all
right between Kit and you? Is the
Neville affair really dead? Is there
no hope at all for me?"
She looked at him then and saw
the wistful, patient expression on
his face. There was no doubt at all
of the reality of his devotion. And
suddenly beside him she seemed to
see Kit, dark, violent and impulsive,
his beloved profile for one magic
second clearly limned upon the air.
The illusion was like a touch of his
fingers on her heart. She shut her
eyes and turned away. mo Charles
dear. I'm sorry. There's no hope
at ALL"
Mary Doesn't Respond.
Charles lifted his hand from hers
on the table, took out a slim plati-
mum cigarette case monogrammed
with diamonds. offered it to Mary
and on her refusal helped himself
to cigarette. He lit it with
lighter that matched the case and
drew on it like a drowning man
gulps the air. Then he said, "Very
curious, Mary. You know you were
a long time making up your mind"
Mary managed convincing laugh
and rose from the table. Lets CO."
she said. 'the smell of the vines is
going to your head. You're lucky
I have sense of humor. I should
really be very angry with you"
He rose too and caught her as
she was about to pass him into the
sunlight of the garden. You're not
angry with me, because you love me
a little, Mary"
"Oh, dear no, I don't. You must
not think it. But don't look like
that, Charles. I really do like you
a lot"
He sighed deeply and let her 60,
saying softly, my dear-thank
you"
Kit was sitting on the balcony
outside the drawing room when
Charles drove up through the pine
trees with Mary in the twilight
hour before dinner. He did not hail
them. He sat there watching Charles
assisting Mary to get out and
speaking to her for a few moments
before he turned and drove away
again.
He appeared in the hall. however,
and followed Mary up the stairs
when she entered the house. She
turned and saw who it was as she
reached the door of her bedroom.
Kit said very sternly, Il want to
speak to you, Mary. May come in?
Mary nodded-Kit followed her