Evening star., 1941-09-13

do it my way. I'd rather. He's got
to know before" Then clearly,
Miss Nash?"
Yes" Julie clutched the instru-
ment with both hands.
please get in touch with Mike
I mean, Mr.. Gray-tell him I've
gone away-tell him I'm sorry"
There was click, and Julie mur-
INJURED, Gracious - oh, my gra-
ciOuS-"
Aghast in that first moment, she
could think of nothing to do
Where had Rita gone? And with
whom? Not Dick Van Vleet-surely.
Forcing her mind into efficient chan
nels, she made three telephone calls
Miss Deming was not in. No, she
had not said where she was going.
Mr.. Van Vleet was out. He had
checked out of his hotel at 6:30
Frowning, weak with CONSERVATION,
Julie called Mikes apartment.
When his man said he was dress
ing she drew a relieved breath.
Then he hadn't started for the din
ner. She said she must talk to him.
1t was urgent.
Then Mikes voice, hurried, edged
with excitement. Mike Gray
speaking"
This is Julie Nash" She couldn't
tell him over the telephone, it was
too inhuman. Stay there, Mr.
Gray-I'll take a cab"
Julie Spills the Story.
"Sorry-business can wait. I'm
in hurry, Julie" One small por-
ton of her haraSSed mind noticed
that he called her Julie.
Mr.. Gray-you've got to wait
something has happened--'
Not Rita" in swift alarm.
wait there-please." Throwing
the telephone into the rack, Julie
grabbed her hat and ran to the
elevator. She told the cab driver
to hurry; she sat on the edge of the
seat. Whatll I say? Why should
be the one to smash his life? How
ever shall. I tell him? So ran her
shocked thoughts. She was quite
out of breath when Mike let her
into his apartment.
"Julie-for Gods sake" he
exclaimed.
She literally spilled the news. If
there was an easy approach she had
been unable to find it. Miss DEM
ing called-she said to tell YOU that
she had gone away-she said to tell
you she was sorry" Her voice slid
downward to a frightened gasp.
YOU'RE crazy, Julie" He seemed
inclined to laugh.
"I hope So" family. Mike was
dialing Rita's number. After talk
ing a moment he swung back. She
isn't there" he muttered, frowning
That's queer. She said something
about a headache-said she was 60
ing straight to bed"
Mike was again at the telephone
I'll call the police. There's crooked
work somewhere"
Julie ran to his side, pushing him
away from the telephone. Don't
call the police" she said sharply.
Miss Deming went because-be-
cause she wanted to-"
What do you mean?" The idea
was beginning to get through to
him. Are you trying to tell
me-?"
A MirthIesS Laugh.
She nodded, stricken eyes on his
face.
Start all over" he commanded
harshly. Tell me everything you
know"
"Everything?" she asked dubi-
ously.
He nodded, grimly emphatic. His
eyes were bleak, the laughing spark
lost in cold, hard glare.
we'll" twisting her hands
"this afternoon I ran into the but
ler's pantry and Miss Deming was
Herewith Mr.. Van Vleet."
Mixes voice rasped. What has
that to do with it? Stop stalling
Tor heavens sake" When jules
miserable gaze dropped to his tor
vest button, he thundered, "Well?'
Julie squirmed, faltering. She
was in his arms-her arms were
around his neck. They were kissing
each other-hard."
Go on" She received a f1eetine
impression that this was not exact.
ly news to Mr.. Gray. There wa;
controlled Savagery in his Go on
That's all" Julie spread he,
hands helplessly as if to say, .Isnr
that enough?"
What happened tonight?"
She repeated the conversation
with Rita, word for word, putting
In the mufhed aside. Mike sal
down suddenly. He lighted a cigar.
ette, looking long at the CLOWNS
end, blowing out the match onlI
When 1t burned his fingers. JuIi,
Shlfted uneaSily from one foot to tn,
other. '-'
He asked at last, his tone frozen
DO you think she went awav witt
Dick?" ' "4'i
Julie nodded unhappily.
what makes you think SOP"
because of this afternoon an,
because I called his hotel, n
checked out at $50"
Mike groaned, "Oh. Lord
Then he laughed. 1t was a shock
lngly m1rthless sound.
'Copyright, 1871, Chicag go Daily News 1nr
Continued Monday