Evening star., 1941-08-10

She was not pretty woman, but she had
that quality which some plain women have
of being excitingly attractive to men. My
first impression of her was that she had long,
good-ooking legs and unusual green eyes,
deep and cool as the sea.
She told her story very briefly, very clearly.
Her voice was calm - but | had the impress
sion it was the calm of a pool below dam
which backs up mighty flood.
There are certain personal facts you must
know to understand what happened tonight"
she said, weighing every word. Perhaps you
already know them - some of them.
Il recently divorced Mr. Hampton because
| was very much in love with Mr.. Christie.
Today discovered that he - Mr. Christie -
had been having cheap affair with a certain
young woman who -"
Rosemary Thorpe" said Niels. The
occasion doesn't call for decacy, Mrs.
Hampton
She flashed him an oblique, 'unreadable
glance from her green eyes. True. Naturally,
| wished to make my position quite clear to
Mr.. Christie. learned he was here at the
club, so came out. He was sailing. followed
in the Cherub.
1T was some time before located him.
think we recognized each other about the
same time. for he tried to get away behind
Big Sandy. That's an island. Mr.. Jorgensen.
But had jenny "a genoa jb - and he
was using his working jib, so it was only
few minutes before rounded Big Sandy also,
and caught up with him. He was sailing deep
in the shadow of the island, but when he saw
me he headed for the open water, and pre-
tended - I'm sure he was pretending - to
recognize my boat for the first time.
when | came alongside, found there
wasn't much to say, after all. I've just found
out about your girl friend Miss Thorpe
told him. I'm not flattered He begged me
to be quiet, but there wasn't boat in sight,
and wanted to say what little had to say
then and there. I've been terrible fool, but
thank God found out before married you.
hope | never see your face again! 1t sounds
pretty melodramatic, now | never knew that
people actually talked like that, but they.
do. He tried to argue the matter, but l
just filled my sail and went away from there
as fast as the wind would take me- That's
all, | think
Nor quite" Niels said in that deceptively
gentle voice of his You met the Commodore
on the dock when you came in, and had quite
little chat with him about Christie. Isn't
that correct. Mrs. Hampton"
The green eyes fickered but she did not
lower her gaze. That's quite correct" she
said. "Mr. Hampton then took the boat and
went for little sail"
ITO look for Christie?"
She hesitated Yes. To look for Christie"
Niels nodded, slowly and thoughtfully.
Thank you, Mrs. Hampton he said. Il
believe that's all just for the present
Virginia, will you ask MIR. Hampton to come
in?"
hurried out of the little room which was
the business office of the club. was anxious
to hear his story.
He was not where we had left him, on a
settee near the door, nor was he anywhere
in sight. | was just about to report the fact
to Niels when young Spiker and his friend
Andy came hurrying in through the big double
doors which opened onto the porch. Both
were obviously excited.
You lookin for the Commodore" asked
Spiker
"Yes!'
We'll, he's gone! Andy and l were kind
of watching him, from the porch. He stood
real close to the door; listening, think, to