Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-12-21
Continued from Page 81


Church, unexpectedly appearing.
hurried in.
II drove Karen over, Doctor.
] thought ] heard her call out.
Is anything ..? Why. Karenw
His gaze had moved to the
unconscious girl and his dark
face, with his curious quality OF
pent-up vitality, went taut
What is il? What's hap
pened?" he cried.
IT'S only a faint" said
rather awkwardly.
He pushed past me, moving TO
the couch and bending over
Karen. His short-fingered, ner-
vous hands touched her shoulder
pointlessly. He swung back TO
me his dark eyes challenging.
What did you do 10 her ?"
Nothing. She just tainted"
But you must have done
something. His veiee-was al
most fierce. Was il about
Norma? Did you tell her some
thing about Norma? If you did,
I'm entitled TO know it. too.
After all, I was engaged to her"
His air was distinctly bclligcr-
cnt. / returned his stare.
What sort of thing could |
have told her about Norma any
way? ?" / asked.
That seemed 10 flustcr him.
But only for "A moment. He
shrugged and said; How should
l know? I'm asking you"
LIE TURNED back to Karen.
u watching her with a sort Of
restless anxiety l crossed 20 one
Of the medicine closets and
found a perle of aromatics.
moved back TO Karen and
crushed it under her nose. Al
most Immediately she started
gasped and opened her eyes Her
gaze vague at first focused on
nay face p-ith suggestion of
her former fear
Karen What happened 20
Oliver Church completely domi-
mated the picture then bending
over her. gripping her hand.
" nat ri1di ne Go to you .
A swift glance passed between
them II was a rather strange
glance almost I thought. as if
Karen Were trying 10 warn him
Then with forced smile. she
said
oh nothings wrong Oliver.
I'm all right So stupid Of me.
pr Westlake was being gloomy
and ! couldn't take II. All need
is fresh air"
SoIcitously, Oliver Church
boycrcd over her helping her TO
her fcct She looked shaken and
very eager I thought. TO get
away from me.
&C o O d-b Y, Or, Westlakc. I
apologize"
She held out her hand with
drew y quickly from mine affA
started quickly for the door
Oliver Church made move
10 follow her and then changed
his mind lie just stood there.
claring AZ me. He wasn't very
tall bat he vas very 1.-THE and
sprugy
7 don't know what's been go
ing on. he SAID suddenly But
you'd better get this straight.
II anyone tries singing mud a.
mo they won't get very far.
It's all lies. nothing but malicious
lies"
Before I had time 20 answer
he'd swung away from me and
ont Of the door.
But that had me stopped for
a moment Who was he sus-
pecting of singing mud at him
Karen
And then. as I stood there. a
strange thought came which
opened up any amount Of vistas.
Maybe Oliver Church was afraid.
not Of mud 10 be sIung in the
future, but mud all eady slung
~ the past,
Maybe his real fearzwas that
! had learned something detri-
mental about him yesterday
from Norma
l couldn't tell, Of course And
yet. his behavior had been odd,
20 say the least Of il He had
hardly exhibited the Conven-
tional heart-break Of a 5ereaved
fiance.
~ SPITE Of my sen1i-ofncial
] and entirely honorary connec-
tjon with the police, l was still
primarily country doctor trying
20 get along ] was very con-
scious Of that fact for the next
hour while | rushed through a
barrage Of visiting coughs, colds
and sore threats which kent mo