Detroit evening times., 1941-09-28


him much too useful in his present Job in fact
Indispensable and the matter was closed.
No one seemed to connect the fact that
whenever there were any serious disturbances
in any part of the island or when the enemY.s
agents were getting too active i'm the neigh
boring South American republic Of San Tarno
Ashley would take one of his periodic holi-
days which everyone sa!d openly were nothing
short OF "binges
June vas thinking set44e- ef these things
that Spring afternoon She was thinking, too
as she made ready 20 leave. of the contidcn-
tial report which had first come that a Ger
man submarine might be receiving supplies
on the other side of the island. She wasn't
altogether surprised wien Ashley turned TO
her with a slight smile and said:
I'm feeling the need Of a short break
June, my angel Too much work- Of the Ii
quid variety! I think I'll run over to my cabin
for a few days rumInate and 60 native
Cursed nuisance about my car being laid up
I'll have to get old George to take me, dump
me there and pick me up again
You could have my car" she suggested.
And leave you stranded for a whole week
end /? weekend in Princeville without
car would be like being in Monte Carlo in the
old days without the price Of admttance TO
thr Casino How would you get to the golf
club. the tennis club the surf club on Sunday
morning for the customary Dip"
I shouldn't care" her voice was family
on the defensive
But should care for you. my sweet. My
conscience would begin TO prick me, and the
less my conscience and have TO say to each
other the better! AS he spoke he moved
away from the window and came and sat on
one end of her desk But you're little dear
to offer it all the same he added more
gently.
IUNE'S small hands clasped more tightly on
> the desk before her She tilted her nicely
shaped chin and her grey eyes widened show
ing the hl1e flecks- in thern-She- caught her
breath a moment before she said
Let me drive you there then"
There was a slight pause. But my love"
he demonstrated you couldn't possibly get
there and back in day over these vile roads"
Il know. But ." she averted his eyes
sharply "Need I get there and back in a
day Ashley"
There was a moment before he replied She
felt almost as though She were swaying dizzily
on the edge of precipice. She knew that her
face was scarlet and she didn't dare look any
where but straight ahead Of her at the white
wall. But she was desperate. She had loved
Ashley so long for two years anyhow since
she had been working at the Legation. 1t was
so painful she felt at times it must kill her
She had TO make him wake up somehow She
had felt for some time now that if only he
could get to knnU-her in a different environ
ment the miracle might happen He too
used 20 her here She was like piece of fur
niture 10 him. Like the telephone or the
typewriter she worked on OF course he didn't
call them my sweet" my love" and my
angel" But she had heard him call old Susan
who tidiod his room all three of those cndear-
ments
Darling he said lightly. narrowing his
pale eyes and strodng his chin you don't
realize what you're saying I'm afraid"
The scarlet had crept from her checks down
20 her throat. There was something wrong
with her eyes, as though they were fun of sand
suddenly But she managed a certain defiance
She said: ! don't know what YOU mean +"
Hc clicked his tongue against The roof Of
his mouth m0CknElv And she saw an amused
look n h.s eyes
Somehow TO feel that he WAS laughing At
her was too much. She sprauc 10 her feet
knocking over The little table that stood be-
side hcr desk and splhng official looking docu-
monts onto The floor But she didn't stop 10
pick them up. she made for the door She
was almost through il when he caught her
wrist and pulled her back into the room again.
Tie stood looking down at her a half smile
that wasn't quite smile on his rugged face
that was so ful of vitality
'Wcrc friends I'm sure Doc soid still hold
ing her ARM hope more than anything we
can remain friends. But tins suggestion of
yours wouldn't do at am my dear You lust
haven't stopped 90 think Imagine the gos-
sips what tidht for them and then thcie
would go our friendship p-l-l-f--+ -sce No
I couldn't let YOU expose yourself 90 the tender
mercies of wagging tongues
what do ] care for waeeine tongues ?'
She began hHt she knew she did
Darling. DE said even more quietly shak-
ing her little You know you're talking
nonsense. You're talking like someone i'm a
bad film You're q dear girl and sweetheart
when you think over you'H sen I'm right
NoN got ready and drive mo up 20 old Red.
cHGc's cockta party. Ill he waitn seoutsid,
lu -mipHte-
she stood quito stili after hc bad gone sh,