Evening star., 1940-10-20

Patricia Borden was after all, beau
tiful and rich, and a glamor girl
John Meade smiled directly into
her eyes at their parting. Look
out for that tall, blord blackguard," ,"
he said
It will" laughing.
And he asked, since she had told
him of her Cuban father, if she
spoke Spanish. Diane nodded, and
he said, ''Hasta la vista, senorita. -
Then was gone.
A Strange Person.
Until we meet again, he had said.
Which was strange. For he had
seemed to mean II, even though 1t
wasn't in the cards that they should
ever meet again Ch. he was a
strange person-that John Meade
she had almost falleI- in love with.
And he hautned he, memory. Per-
haps, Diane thought he keeps me
from falling in love with Ramon.
A knock sounded at the door.
Diane gave a start She had sat lost
in thought and the five minutes had
fed. 1t was a steward and he
handed her a note
The note was brief and read:
Diane: Could you give me half
hour? There's something Id like to
discuss-a matter of business. We
could meet here in Senor de Roca S
office Shane Murdock.'
Diane said to the steward. Tell
Senor Murdock l will meet him.
She went into the hall then. 10
Juan's dressing room. Ramon de
Estero opened to her knock. He
was a young man of moods, but
tonight he was gay. His dark eyes
sparkled, his smile flashed.
Diane! You are lovely! You
danced more charmingly than ever
tonight"
He raised her hand to his lips,
and Diane laughed, little con-
fused.
Ramon said, Juan and I are
taking you to supper and then for
a midnight drive. I would like to
be rid of Juan, but he insists on
coming"
Juan said, Ramon thinks three
is a crowd" and laughed.
I'm terribly sorry" Diane said.
But Shane Murdoch wishes to see
me. He wants to discuss business "
Senses a Trap.
Business, poof!" exclaimed Ra-
mon. But Juan said, Maybe you'd
better see him. Ramon and I will
60 try our luck at roulette"
Diane nodded and said to Ramon,
Don't let him drink or gamble,
Ramon. When he does either he
always gets in trouble
Il shall look out for him, Senor-
ita."
Diane left them and went to the
foyer where there were stairs that
led to the managers Office. She had
no desire to meet Shan Murdock,
but she knew Juan and she were
obligated to him. A number of peo-
pie were in the foyer and, as she
reached the stairs, a voice reached
and halted her.
1t merely said, Hello, there!"
But it was a voice that she could
not fail to recognize or obey. She
turned slowly and looked at John
Meade. She felt her pulse begin to
race, and it took an effort to say in
an easy, offhand fashion, why,
hello. So we meet again"
mot surprised, are you?"
"Yes and no. You did say we'd
meet again"
And I said you were going to
take an ocean voyage" John said.
I'm quite fortune teller, aren't
I? Did you meet up with the black
guard yet?"
Diane laughed and said, mo. You
were wrong about that
mo swami can be right every
time" he said, grinning. Then:
We'll, I'll be seeing you about"
And he nodded and moved away.
Diane turned and went upstairs
to the office where Shane Murdock
was waiting. When she stepped
into the room she was gripped by
a strange feeling-like that person
feels when walking into a trap.
CHAPTER II.
Shane Murdock was big and hearty.
He had an easy, booming laugh. He
talked loudly. He was crude, his
blond good looks were coarse, but he
was likable.
To Diane he seemed all above
board, man easily read with no
depths to probe She liked to tag a
word to each personality, and Shane's
tag was superficial.
Shane was not alone. He rose
and smiled, saying, Hello, Dr." easily.
He pushed chair toward her.
Then he introduced his companion.
"Senor Thane, Senorita Casco-
den."
Diane looked at Senor Thane. He
was not, racially. . South American.
He was not SpAutsh-1 Indian In ap.