Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-16

OAA0As
lis voice as he spoke-'you needn't
nee you were q boy and know you
ried about what Matt said, are your"
She shook her head family, but
there was concern In her long, pale
face. Believe me, Aunt Charity, I
wasn't In that house until you saw
me go in tonight. I didn't kill Whip
pie"
Charles Is Stubborn.
Her fragile hands gripped his
strong ones, and her eyes looked DE-
rectly into his. II know you didn't,
Charles" Her voice was again
strong and clear. "You mustn't
mind me. Old folks get a bit upset
when tragedy comes so close. Mil
dred'; she turned to the girl who had
come up to the wheel chair. you
cheer this boy of mine up on the
ride. home. Run along now; Just
call Della for me-"
In the roadster, Charles and Mil
dred rode in silence through the
quiet town an dout toward the War.
ner place near the old river bed.
Lets stop at the bluf1, Charles,
and watch the night q while"
He nosed the car of the road
onto a parking space at the top Of
the hill and shut OF the motor. The
road curved higher above them and
was hidden in the woods. Over to
the left the broad water of the
river lay in murky darkness. Neither
Of them spoke for a long time. but
Charles hand sought Mildred's.
Your business tonight had some
thing to do with Uncle Randolph,
didn't it?" Mildreds voice was soft
please, Mildred. don't ask me
about that. I can't tell you. 1t
was business. that's ALL" Charles
voice, at first pleading, gained q
stubborn edge at the end.
"All right, only"
Mildred" Charles put his arm
around her slender shoulders. This
is no time for it, but I've got to
tell you, Mildred, I love you" His
rich voice broke and he laid his face
against hers
Il love you, too, Charles" the
girl said softly. Their lips met in
long kiss.
Charles $50 Slow"
"Ive wanted you so long" Charles
arms held her close: his lips brushed
her soft cheek. Mildred said nothing
but her hands cupped against his
face.
Z" her voice was unsteady
II feel the same way, Charles. And
you've been so slow to say It,"
II wanted to have a little security
to offer you, Mildred. I'm getting
along better now and"
But we needn't leave your aunt,
Charlie" she interrupted him.
Don't you think she'd have me
there with you?"
Darling!" His arms were around
her tighter, his lips again against
hers.
At last, Lets 60, Charlie"
Right" and he slid the car back
onto the road.
In spite Of Charles bravado, he
did worry, and spent q fretful night
IN the steaming heat after the
storm.
Della was moving softly about the
kitchen when he went down for
breakfast. She was a large woman
OF so, with black hair and still
roguiSh blue eyes. Her face this
morning was somber and she omit
ted her customary greeting to
Charles. She was putting melon and
butter on the table when he came
into the kitchen.
Light Burns Late.
She looked up to say, your aunt's
asleep and I'm trying not to waken
her. thought you could eat In
the kitchen to save noise" The
old sitting room OF the dining room
had been fitted up as q bedroom
for Charity after her accident.
Sure. Did she tell your" Charles
asked as he spooned his melon.
Della nodded her shapely head
Yes. when I put her to bed while
you took Miss Mildred home"
Delia's devotion to Charity was
tradition in the town. She had gone
to work for Judge Holmes and his
bride when she was an immigrant
Irish girl. She had served Charity
during Charity's brief, but happy
married. life; she had waited or
Charles and had punished him when
he needed It; and now she waited
on Charity hand and foot. Charity
had said Della was her oldest and
best friend, and it was true.
"She didn't go to sleep very read.
ily," Della volunteered as she hand
ed Charles q plate Of hot biscuit.
from the oven nearby. Her light
burned late" Delia's room OF thu
kitchen was connected with Charity.
by a bathroom.
Charles said nothing. He ate hi.
breakfast quickly at the table In the
east bay of the kitchen and left BY
the kitchen door.
"A Serious Appointment.
The real estate firm of Petres &
Warner was housed in one half of q
large double store. The other hal,
was occupied by the First National
Bank Of Fitch County, of which
Warner was president. In the base.
ment were the safe deposit vaults
reached by two stairways, one from
the bank, the other from the rea1
estate ONCE.
A high broad counter ran the
width of the office with, at the right
end, section that served as a gate
to the desks behind. In the space
back Of the counter were four desks
his to one side; Warmers, seldom
used. at the other side, and in the
middle and to the rear under 9
broad skylight, the two desks usec
by Mildred and Selma Clark. Bach
of this space was Peters private
ONCE, partitioned OF from the rest