Evening star., 1940-06-14

It's in his manner, in his eyes. What
is it?"
DO you think he confides in me9"
! "Yes."
Jim merely laughed But it was
forced laugh. And she said, "It
began after that night on the island.
He kissed me that night. He thought
I wanted him to-and maybe I did.
didn't mean to let him know it,
though. Maybe he thought I was
pretty free and easy"
Maybe he did, joan" was all that
Jim would say.
But it wasn't that There was
something else. Jim Bromley's man.
ner told her. He didn't want to talk
about it.
She learned from Jim that the
new ship was in the assembling
hangar. They were building two
ships; the first would be finished in
a week. The production schedule
called for next Frida, to be the day.
1t would be tested Saturday.
She learned, too, from Jim that
John North had negotiated with
Mark Lanning. The banker had
sent an auditor to the plant to ex-
anime the company's financial con-
dition. Things were working out
well. Saturday would prove if Jim
Charters plane could save North
Aircraft.
Scott Tries Again.
Wednesday evening Jim came to
take her to the movies. He had
to drive out to the plant first for
a moment Joan waited in his car
while he was inside. While she was
there Scott Lanning came from the
administration building He saw her
at once. He came ana jerked open
the car door
Hello, darling" he said. 1t was
quite natural, an easy greeting as
If nothing was wrong between them.
Il just inquired about you of John
North. He told me you weren't with
North Aircraft"
NO. Not since that visit to Crown
Cay"
Tired of being a working girl?"
The job tired of me"
He looked at her as if puzzled.
But he said, "Hows the old resist
ance holding up?"
It's holding up, Scott. But what
are you doing here?"
Il was in town on business.
had to see the auditor Mark sent
here But what are you doing here
waiting for him?"
For John North? No, for some
one else. A date. But only a casual
friend-in case you're curious" She
smiled at him. IT'S nice seeing
you, Scott. AS an old friend"
Yes" bitterly. LAS an old friend.
Look. Joan. don't give me the run
around, You've waiting for John
North
I'm not" she said.
You assigned him Jim's plane.
He means something to you. other
wise you wouldn't have done that.
Or was it to spite me? You knew
1 wanted to build that plane
Think what you want, Scott"
She saw his quick temper fame in
his eyes. He said savagely, We'll,
he got you, and he got the plane
But / told you once he would find
you an expensive bargain. That still
goes. He hasn't yet got a loan.
Maybe he'll get the surprise of his
life when he tests that plane Sat-
urday."
Mike Starts to Tell.
There was a threat in every word,
in every breath he used to utter
them. Joan felt chill alarm She
got from the car and faced him,
her hand on his arm.
Scott, you wouldn't queer things
for him?"
Why shouldn't I? He stands be-
tween me and something I want"
Scott, please"
His temper subsidized and a sudden
smile jerked at his lips. The smile
brought back his charm. He said,
That's more like 1t. Well have to
talk this over. Say, tomorrow
Where can I reach you?"
She gave him her phone number
not because she wanted to see him
again but because she wanted to find
out what he was up to. He looked
pleased, quickly eager, and she knew
that he loved her after a fashion.
And he said, you keep fighting
me, Joan, but that makes me want
you all the more"
Io,r 1o,obed "And TIL keen or