Evening star., 1941-04-28

Then it was more than that"
Nan said. TT was to involve mel"
That's ridiculous" Hildreth said.
Then why was a gun hidden
among my clothes?"
Hildreth gave a start. "a gum"
she said quickly. Among your
clothes?"
Among Lydas clothes that am
using" Nan said, and waited for
Hildreth to reply. But the woman
stood there as if striken, gripping
her hands together as If to keep
them from trembling. and then
there was knock at the door.
Nan went and threw the door
wide and looked at Mark Derringer
with angry eyes. She saw his
crooked smile, his chill dangerous
eyes, and she hated him.
Il won't talk 10 you" Nan said
fatty.
He said. Yes you will, my dear"
and put his hand against the door
when she tried to shut it. He
stepped in and closed it himself
Nan turned to the phone, lifted it,
and said, Let me speak to the man
ager."
Mark Derringer came and
wrenched the phone away. He
held his hand over the mouthpiece.
You'll only make trouble for your
self, LYDIA" he said. You talk to
the manager, and I'll tell him this
is merely domestic quarrel. He'll
understand how difficult it is being
married to temperamental actress.
I'm sure he will
The threat was plain enough. II
was crystal clear. He'd claim they
were married. Quite possible he
could prove he was married to
LYDIA Mora. Nan thought of David
Larsen, of what David had come
to mean to her during these last
few hectic days. and she didn't
want David to know about Mark
Derringer.
Nan Denies Plan.
She said in a frozen voice, "All
right. Give me the phone" And
when she had it in her hand she
said, Never mind. please - She
put the instrument down.
That's right" Mark said. BE
smart, LYDIA" Then his glance
went to Hildreth. He jerked his
blond head in the direction of the
door. And ordered, Get out, Hill
dreth!7
And Hildreth, willing under the
lash of his tone, obeyed.
Nan watched him 60 TO the sofa.
sit down, light a cigarette. Then
he held out his hand and said,
Come here, LYDIA"
Nan folded her arms and didn't
move. He laughed, throwing back
his head and letting the sound
come from deep in his throat.
The loving wifel" he said.
you're so very obedient, LYDIA. +"
you know I'm not your wife"
Nan said. "If you have anything
to say-say it. Then 60"
Don't rush me, darling. Let me
sit here and look at you a while"
She said, What do you want?"
half with fear, half with fury.
Maybe" he said, Il want my
wife to be a little more sociable.
Or maybe want my wife to tell me
where she's to meet her husband
to-be."
Il don't expect to meet Eric Fa-
bier"
He said. "No?" while his eyes
glittered behind their glasses.
Il never expect to meet him
again. And I don't want to see you
again"
You're going to see me, LYDIA.
You're going to see me lot. We're
going to spend our vacation to-
gether. We're going to do every
thing you want to do-together.
Get 1t, Lyda?"
"Yes, get it," Nan said. You
want to be sure I don't meet this
Eric Fabier."
Nan Is Stubborn.
He shook his head. mo, darling.
I want to be sure you do meet him
while I'm with you"
And if I refuse to be seen with
you?"
Then I'll broadcast the existing
news that LYDIA Mora, San Juan's
most glamorous visitor, is my
wife. You wouldn't like that,
LYDIA. Or" A smile played across
his lips, then was gone. "Or would
you'"
Nan though Of David Larsen.