Evening star., 1940-06-12

been deeply hurt. Somehow it drew
him little closer.
She said, How long do you think
this storm will last?"
Maybe all night. It's 8 o'clock
now"
80 we're marooned here for the
night"
Joan Rebukes John.
Sorry, Joan," he said. I'm a
mug for getting you into this. You
must be pretty uncomfortable"
I'm not at all. I'm rather en-
joying it, I always had a yen to
go native fer little while. I'm
awfully romantic at heart"
"Really?" he said. Then suddenly
ne leaned forward and, kissed her,
his pipe dropping from his hand to
the floor and his hands closing on
her shoulders.
1t was so abrupt, so unexpected,
that Joan felt q shock. Not a shock
OF annoyance but of surprise. His
hands were still on her shoulders,
the feel of his lips on hers, when
she realized that this was dangerous
In more ways than one. 1t might
make John North think that she
had contrived it, led him into kiss
ing her, and make him realize that
he had better rid himself of her
as he had her predecessor. She had
to stop it from going further, then,
and she had to keep firm grip on
her job.
She said, forcing her tone chill.
II didn't know my salary included
that"
His hands jerked away. He
frowned and got to his feet
and walked across to the window.
He stared out into the darkness for
a long moment. Then, turning: I'm
sorry. 1t doesn't include that.
Thanks for reminding me. I haven't
any excuse. You merely looked as
though you should be kissed"
And" coolly, you're the only
man here to do the kissing. How
nicely it work ID out. Wouldn't it be
embarrassing to you if I took that
as a token Of sudden affection for
me2"
Disclaims Any Love.
He looked embarrassed, almost
miserable. 1T wasn't that. I like
you, Joan. But-well, I'm In love
with Laura"
Then I'm merely a bad influ-
ence?"
MY kissing you didn't mean that
either" He came and stood directly
In front Of her, his face rather grim.
He was so tall he lowered. And he
said slowly, "Or did it mean either
one? l don't know"
IF you're in love with Laura"
Joan said, then you can't be in
love with me. 1t must be that I'm
NOT good for you-John.'
You're not angry?" he said slowly,
as If puzzled.
Because man like you kissed
me? That would be ridiculous"
He said nothing to that, but
stopped for his pipe. He moved
about, relighting it. Finally he said,
You're right. You aren't good for
me. Not that it's because of any,
thing you've said or done. It's my
fault"
Il seem" Joan said, her tone
turned acid, ito bring out the worst
in a man.
Maybe because the man happens
to be an unprincipled fool" He
walked to the window and stared
out into the storm. II think" he
said, "Ill walk down the shore and
take look at the plane"
When he had gone out Joan rose
and went behind the curtain and
lay down on the bunk. Her heart
was pounding. John North sud-
denly seemed within her reach. She
turned her face to the wall and tried
hard to fall asleep before he re-
turned.
Rescuers Arrive.
The morning sun was very
bright, the sky almost cloudless.
The sea was calm, broken only by
whitecaps. The only signs of yes
terdays storm were in the wrecked
plane on the beach and the wind
scattered palm fronds that lay
about.
John was busy down at the plane
during the morning, Joan busy
scanning the horizon and the sky
for searching ships or planes
which she guiltily hoped wouldn't
come too soon. She liked this being
alone with John on a tiny island.
They hadn't spoken of last nights
kiss again. They didn't need to,
for 1t was there between them
and would be always.
The sun was high overhead when
Joan sighted the plane. 1t was
heading toward the island. She
called to John. He squinted against
the sunglare, and said, Its an
amphlblan 9" And a moment
later: ITS the Ward ship"
The big amphibian scared over
the island, circled, came back. John
stood on the open beach and waved
his arms, Shortly the plane came
down offshore. 1t TAXED in to shall
low water. The cabin door opened,
and q tall ligure got out onto the
wing. Joan had moment of panic.
The man was Scott Lanning.
John North grinned,, and said,
RESCUE for the marooned. III carry
you out, JOAN"
mo thanks. I'll wade"
He didn't argue. He merely
slipped his arms about her, lifted
her easily, and walked into the
water. Joan slipped her arms about
his neck.
They reached the amphibian.
Scott reached down and lifted Joan
onto the wing She faced him def
antly, quite sure of herself. She
could stand up to him now, with
the memory of Johns kiss still
lingering.
80 I've finally found you, JOAN"
Scott said anger in his voice.
eyes, but much too late" she said.
And she was more aware of John