Evening star., 1940-08-02
CHAPTER VIII.

Mrs. Shefard, who had looked
equally frigid and unbending. visibly
braced her shoulders as if Mrs. Con-
sidine's theft of her thunder had
been a shock. That's very disap-
pointing, Alice. Perhaps we can
arrange another occasion for you
to become acquainted with these
young people"
I'm afraid not, thank you very
much. Now Charles, if you will
kindly take me-"
"Ill be hanged if I'll take you.
What's the matter with calling
taxi?"
Charles" admonished his mother
severely, must you be voilent?"
Certainly must. Don't you real
ize these are our gueStS?"
Kits grip on Mary's arm was so
tight that she could feel his taut
fingers bruising her flesh. Il think
we'll be getting along ourselves, If
you don't mind?" he said quietly.
Mrs. Sherard turned her attention
to him. her firm jaw working and a
fierce look about her eyes, you'll
do nothing of the sort" she said. Il
have been looking forward to meet
ing your wife Kit, and insist that
you both join us for dinner. Come
along my dear" she said, turning to
Mary and indicating the boat wait
ing at the steps with regal ges-
ture of her hand.
Plans Party.
u-J,n vi,
that Mrs. Sherard showed the
blade of the weapon she had been
forging as they ate and formally
conversed-the weapon which was
going to finish Mrs. Considine.
There are many of my friends
here. Mrs. Kit I would like to giveI
party for you on the yacht and
present you to them"
Mary heard Kits quick indrawn
breath. Thank you very. very
much" she said holding tight to
her composure. Kit added quickly,
That is too kind of you, Mrs.
Sherard. I assure you we appre-
ciate it."
Mrs. Sherard's smile showed that
once within her bristling defenses
you would find her renowned
charm TT will be a great pleasure
to do it. Kit I don't understand
your mothers attitude. For myself
find your choice of wife readily
understandable"
Kit did not speak to Mary till
they were in the car again and had
left the lights of Canes behind. He
said bitterly, What jungle society
can be. Mary. That's all because
Alice Considine had the effrontery
to snub you first. Mrs. Sherard was
going to do it, I saw it coming"
so did I, Kit. Wouldn't it be
better if we called off the party
didn't go?"
mo. I'm damned if I will. Let
her 60 through with it."
If Charlotte Sherard did indeed
intend to use her social influence
on Mary's behalf as punitive mea-
sure against Alice Considine for
past injuries. fancied or intended.
she did it with a royal grace and a
lavish hand.
Sham Bothers Mary.
Kit coached Mary beforehand in
her part of honor guest. He found
her hand cold and trembling.
"Nervous?" he incurred smiling.
"Of course. I feel worse than II
it were all real. In fact I feel ter
| rible-."
Don't worry Mary. I'll be with
you"
She said impulsively, instantly
regretting it. Don't you feel ter
rible yourself sometimes. Kit? Put
ting over this deception on them,
mean"
He thought little before answer
ing. No Mary, frankly I don't.
Some Of the people are real enough,
but others-well, they don't rate the
truth about ones inner life. They
don't deserve it. Old Sherard is a
fine fellow, as sincere as they make
them. But his wife! She's friendly
to you, know, but don't forget you
turned out to be weapon in her
hand and that's how she's using you.
Remember that tonight, and keep
smiling"
Mary remembered it, and found
the thought of it as efficacious as
some magic to bolster her courage
and preserve her poise. She stood
by the regal Mrs Sherard to receive
the guests, looking equally aristo-
cratic and youthfully lovely. After
the long and elaborately served din
ner, Charles Sherard insisted on the
first dance with her They moved
rhymically together under the Ian
terms swung above the deck. His
face was flushed, and it seemed as
if he had had little too much to
drink in spite of his autocratic
mothers instructions. Father was
right" he said to Mary, tightening
his hold on her, II should find a
girl like you-but tell me, where
shall find one?"
Charles Is Complimentary.
There are thousands like me
round and about" replied Mary,
amused and not entirely Indifferent
to the f1attery, but you have to
have the eyes to see them when
they're not glorified in sable and
diamonds
Charles Sherard held her still
tighter. moving sensuousiy to the
rhumba music. Il have eyes all
right, but I don't believe you, Mary.
There isn't anything like you. Why
didn't see you first?"
Mary laughed and said lightly. IF
you had, you wouldn't have looked
twice, so why worry about it?'
Charles led her to the yachts rail
when the music stopped and they
leaned over it looking at the lit
ships riding at anchor. THAT
sounded as if it had a catch in it
somewhere. Tell it to me again.
slowly this time, Mary"
Kit came and took her away as