Evening star., 1940-06-13

Whats all the mystery? Why does
she pose as Miss Hammond? What
Is girl like she doing working as
a secretary?"
Pose, Laura?"
YES Her name isn't Hammond
Do you remember my telling you
a girl caused me to break my en-
gagement to Scott? Well, it was
she-this Miss Hammond. But her
name isn't Hammond, it's Charters
Joan Charters"
John North stared, and said
you're sure?" in strained voice
Certainly I'm sure. Do you
think I'd make a mistake about
such thing? She's the girl who
was"
60 on, Laura" John said, look
ing away from her and out across
the ponderous waves of the surf
What else?"
A malicious gleam crept into
Laura's dark eyes, but he didn t
see 1t. She said, Il found out about
her and broke with Scott. Two
months later they announced their
engagement. The wedding was to
have been month ago, but the day
before Joan disappeared. She turns
up now-as your secretary"
John is Silent.
John made no comment. And she
went on, Scott has said he wants
control of a company like North
Aircraft. 1t seems queer that his
his flancee turns up as your secre-
tary under an assumed name"
Queer, yes" muttered John North
Shed be in a position to learn
all about North Aircraft's affairs.
wouldn't she John?"
yes she would. Why didn't you
tell me this when she came to
Miami?"
Because Mark Lanning asked me
to keep it secret"
John stared at her in disbelief
Mark Lanning did? And thought
he was one man I could trust. I
can't believe that he would work
with Scott against me. I can't"
Scott is his son, John"
He said nothing to that, and
Laura was tactfully silent. Then
abruptly he swung about and left
her. He strode toward the house
He found Joan alone in the patio
He faced her grimly, controlling his
anger with difficulty.
Joan, I'm going to ask you a
question. I want an honest answer >
"Why-of course"
rs your name really Joan Ham,
mond?"
She had expected this, but was
nevertheless started by it. Def
antly she met his eyes and said
mo, 1t really isn't
ITS Charters. them"
Yes" she said, her head high
Its Joan Charters"
He frowned. In hurt or troubled
way; she didn't know which. Their
he said. We'll thanks for being
honest"
NO thanks necessary" she said
why shouldn't be honest?'
Why weren't you honest from
the first?" 81
"Because-well, I have a private
reason" She paused, considered
whether she should tell him or not
And decided she should. She sale
Il was hiding form some one From
a man. He had private detectives
searching for me. The only way
could keep from being found wa.
to take an assumed name"
He stared at her. Queerly. she
thought. And she asked, You don'l
believe me?"
I'm sorry, but I don't"
well" She laughed shortly. "It
does sound pretty flimsy. But I've
a past. And it's mine alone. MY
going under an assumed name did
Mt make me any the less an eff
cient secretary.
Says He Doubts Her.
Il wasn't thinking of that" John
said. His voice was unreasonably
harsh, his tone almost accusing
do you mind if I'm honest?"
Not at all
He met her eyes squarely, and
said. II don't believe you"
She had been a little amused
Having had her meeting with Scott
Lanning, and having managed tc
stand up to him, she could look bach
and think how ridiculous. how mel
odramatic, it had all been. But
John North's bluntness blasted hel
amusement, shocked her into sober
alarm
She said, you might explain why
you don't believe me-"
Il shall. think you were sent tc
North Aircraft by Scott Lanning az
well, as spy. He wants to gair
control Of my company. He wanted
someone in a position to find out
just how sound or unsound the com.
pany is financially"
Go on" Joan said, through sud.
denly cold lips.
There's been a conspiracy here
Mark Lanning, whom I trusted, is
involved. He cautioned Helene and
Laura not to give away the secret
They all knew you when I intro.
duced you as Joan Hammond"
Yes" Joan said. Eyes, they did.
She could see that he was angry
and that behind his anger bitterness
burned in him. She knew who had
told him about this alleged con-
spiracy. Laura Ward.
She said, Il told you the truth
You might ask Mark Lanning ii
what I told you isn't true. The
man I was hiding from was Scott
Lanning. That's all the conspiracy
there's been. Mr.. Lanning agreed
not to let Scott know I was here
Laura sent for him. /"
She saw that it was useless. He
had turned hard and unrelenting
II P r OP E r T Y