Evening star., 1941-06-27

7 don't want to have an argument
with her friends" He looked
straight at Janielle. 'I mean just
that, if you are anxious to find out
well! I'm glad last night happened
To think that I am engaged to you!
! can see I made mistake, think
ing that shipboard is the same as
everyday life" Janielle stood up
quickly and then hesitated a mo-
ment. looking down at Locke. There
wasn't any evidence in her eyes that
this was planned. To the remainder
of the crowd sitting in tense, sud-
den. expectant silence, she was as
convincing as the sharp edge OF
sword.
Locke thought hastily, change
would be necessary now. He said
placatingly, Maybe was too nasty
I didn't mean
JanieIe interrupted him. you
were thinking those nasty innuendos
last night-about my friends" She
gestured. Il thought at the time
that you didn't like them, but L
wasn't sure. Now I am. Now I know
Iys made a mistake" She turned
10 Anne Rutherford who was sitting
xide-eyed in her chair, realization
of what this break meant firmly I'M
printed on her face. will you
excuse me, pleased" Janielle ]erkeo
out, I'm breaking my engagement!
A Convincing Act.
She gathered her things quickly
and marched past Locke, tugging at
her ring finger with convincing
fierceness, finally yanking the circle
of before every ones eyes. Startled
slances followed her progress; half
concealed grins applauded silently
as she strobe past. They were COM
pletely convinced, Locke thought
with reluctant admiration. He arose
hastily and thrust bill on the table.
He followed Janielle's determined
stride through the main room, and
now with his back turned to the
crowd in the bar, locke managed
slight grin. He ran down the steps
after Janielle.
She flung herself into the roadster
and ground the starter. Locke
clsmbered in, erasing the tight grin
from his face
Listen" he said reproachingly,
syou don't have to keep 1t up"
Someone might still be looking" !"
Janielle said observingly. She kept
her face averted. The roadster
roared out Of the driveway, its tires
spinning madly.
Beyond any last sight of the club
house Janielle slowed. That act
was all right she said. Her voice
blurred; she kept her eyes straight
ahead.
"You don't think any one
suspected?"
How could they7 I was angry
myself at some of the things you
said"
"I almost forgot myself" Locke
said apologetically.
Janiere said suddenly, "You
didn't mean any of that back there,
did your"
Locke experienced desire to tell
her what he thought OF those idle
people she thought were her friends.
He gave in. I'm afraid I did" he
said cuttingly.
Janielle glanced at him. Il knew
that"
But what difference does it
make?"
None" Janielle's voice was in
different. Except that it Is funny
for you in your position to say a
thing like that"
Locke ignored her thrust. He
said, "You are free now. Lance
Whitney will be glad of that"
Janielle was silent. Her face
was a complete mask to Locke. He
looked at her and he couldn't take
his eyes away from the perfect line
of her chin. This was his last
chance. He would never see her
again. He knew that he would al
ways be looking for her wherever
he went. Never again would love-
iv girl pick up a telephone and
dial the wrong number and thereby