Evening star., 1940-07-11
CHAPTER XII.

we are going nome toHloIIoW
Jane" Bill said. That is, If the
ankle permits you to travel"
The Joy that rose in her breast
after the brief surprise of his an
nouncement almost brimmed over,
only to be pushed back quickly by
the knowledge of what she would
have to face at home. Susan! But
even that could not dampen her
spirit very long. To go back home
meant to see Jimmy Just the
thought of him stirred her heart
and her eyes glowed a bit brighter
"Jane!"
He spoke sharply, calling her back
to the present. She looked at him
and saw that his eyes were like
points of flashing, hot steel. He had
read her mind like. an open book
He leaned forward and pulled her
roughly from the pillows she had
been resting against At first. his
lips seemed only to brush hers;
then they closed down fiercely and
possessively and his hands brought
her tight against him and she felt
every beat of his heart, which was
pounding as rapidly as her own.
Her mouth felt bruised beneath
his as something inside her fought
to return the warmth in his kiss
yet her mind refused to let it have
the upper hand. The burning glow
that stole madly over her was
crushed by mental victory.
Jane Holds Back.
Bill let her go so abruptly that
she fell back to the bed, bit dazed.
He stood up.
IF you are all right, I'll go out
for bite to eat"
She nodded, too full of conflicting
emotions to speak. And then, too.
she feared to trust her voice, afraid
of the words she might utter. AS he
walked out of the cabin tight feel
ing caught at her throat and she
turned her head into the pillow.
Jane could not control the rapid
beating Of her heart as she dressed
for the club dance. Tonight she
would see Jimmy and in her heart
was a song of love. The prospect
held all the joy in the world for
her. 1t was like being dead and
suddenly coming to life again.
She was suddenly conscious of
some one looking at her. She turned
to see Bill standing in the door,
way, admiring eyes on her. She
smiled to cover the confusion she
felt at being caught thinking the
thoughts that had carried her so
far from the present moment. But
Bill did not return the smile and
the soberness she encountered in his
gray eyes stilled the joy in her heart
for the moment. She put down the
perfume bottle she had been hold
ing.
Bill" she faltered and half rose,
but he lifted a hand to stop her.
and she sank back onto the bench
before the mirror. He came in and
closed the door, leaning against it.
Then he spoke quietly.
You are very beautiful. Jane.
That dress does something to you
Your eyes they glow. A man
could drown there trying to solve
the mystery back of them"
Bill Understands.
Are you trying to make me
vain, Bill?" she asked lightly, try
ing to pass his words of jokingiy.
Color stained her cheeks, making
her even more lovely.
He shook his head.
Come here"
She went slowly toward him,
wondering all the while what he
wanted. She tried searching his
eyes quickly, but found no answer
10 his command there-only love-
When she paused before him, he
placed hands on her shoulders and
Grew her closer, but not quite in
side his arms. His look seemed
warm with understanding and feel
ing, and love that she could never
mistake was in his eyes, even his
touch on her shoulders was ca
reSs.
Il know what you are thinking,
Jane. I know that you are looking
forward to seeing Martin tonight"
She caught her breath at his state
ment, but he seemed not to notice.
He has been in your mind ever
since we started back. had hoped
up until the day you hurt your an
kle that he was not so strong in
your thoughts. But I see he is still
there" She looked startled. your
eyes give you away, my sweet. 1
want you to see him, Jane-but
remember" and his hands gripped
harder into her soft, bare shoulders,
Il love you"
He kissed her quickly and went
out of the room, leaving her to
stand and stare at the closing door
feeling bewildered and uncertain of
her next move. But not for long.
The thought of seeing Jimmy at the
dance wiped everything else from
her mind and made her impatient
to finish with her dressing so they
could go early.
AS if divining her wishes, Bill
was ready and waiting with the
car on the drive and in the best of
humor. So gay that the conversa-
ton of little while ago might
never have taken place.
She was in the cocktail room
when she looked up and saw
Jimmy bearing down on her with
long strides. In that brief moment
as she watched him approach she
saw lines of worry that had never
been on his face before and he was
very much thinner. The change in
him pulled at her heartstrings. But
his eyes were the same, and the
fire of love for her still burned
brightly in them.
She trembled as he reached
hand to her arm, his fingers clos
ing down, his touch burning her