Evening star., 1940-01-05

tween. and at the rear a tiny
kitchen.
IT'S very comfortable Claire ap-
proved.
Perhaps you'd like to move in
here with me-" Maria suggested.
You see. I've just recently lost my
tenant. An American like yourself.
She is a musician and had been
studying here for year. She left
just week ago
Urged by Danny.
IT haven't any too much money"
Maria went on, land l need some
one to share expenses. I'm sure you
could live much more cheaply here
than at a hotel. Besides. I don't
know just what the war will do to
my business. People are not much
interested in fashions, I'm afraid,
when men are killing one another
by the thousands almost within
hearing distance Of Paris"
Sounds like swell chance.
Claire" Danny spoke up, "if you
intend to stay on in Paris for while.
The place is close to everything,
near the subway. within walking
distance of many places. You
couldn't do better. Besides, I'd feel
a lot more satisfied if 1 knew you
were with some one know, instead
of by yourself Paris can be pretty
dangerous place for girl by herself,
you know, especially in times like
these"
The offer seemed attractive to
Claire and she fell in love with the
bedroom that Maria said would be
hers if she should decide to come in
with her. 1t was fitted up like a
luxurious boudoir. with an embroid-
cred silk spread that the girl knew
must be worth thousands of francs.
What beautiful covert" she ex-
claimed.
Decides to Wait.
"One of the few things I was able
to bring with me when I left Russia"
Maria explained. That is one Of
my assets. or was until the war came
along and knocked down the price of
everything. I probably couldn't sell
it for enough to pay months rent
now if had to part with it. How
does my suggestion appeal to you?"
"I-Ill have to think 1t over"
Claire said. hesitantly. She sud-
denly remembered what the man
who called himself ~. Y" had said.
That some of the people she might
meet tonight would be friends, some
enemies. 1t was just as we'll to be
cautious and not rush into a situ-
alton that might prove difficult to
get out of later.
WHO is that playing?" she asked
While she had been talking with
Maria and Danny she was conscious
of music, but for the first time she
realized it was in the apartment.
Julie Roland" Maria answered.
Doesn't she play beautifully?"
Claire walked toward the piano
and stood leaning against it as Mrs.
Roland played softly and hummed
MY husband loves it," Julie
smiled up at her.
Its awfully silly, but just can't
seem to remember the title" Claire
said. "It sounds quite familiar"
A Surprise for Claire.
1T is rather characteristic Of
Schubert" Julie answered, but it
is not very we'll known. It's from one
of his less frequently played So
natas."
Her hands, beautiful and delicate,
rested idly on the piano keys as
she finished playing.
How about something Polish?"
Capt. Martin suggested. "Chopin's
'Polonaise.' for instance?"
Claire thought she saw a quick
glance flash between Julie and her
husband, but a moment later the
American woman plunged into the
composition. Just as she finished
there was a knock at the door and
Maria went to answer it, saying,
Perhaps it's Noel, come at last"
She heard voices, Maria's raised
in greeting and the answering voice
of q man. It had familiar ring, a
peculiar vibrancy and she instantly
recognized it.
It was the voice of the man who
had shared her taxi earlier that eve
ning-the man known to her only
as ~. Y"
(Tomorrov-Noel Yorke. ~, Y,")