Evening star., 1941-05-16

drew him. Mrs. Crews was settling
her kitchen for the night. He hadn't
realized it was so late. She turned
in surprise as Court spoke from
the door. you gave me a start"
she said, beaming. Mary? She's
round in the front yard somewhere.
That SULLIVAN fellows here again,
and they're looking at my night
blooming cactus that's opening up.
You'll find them out there some
where. You ought to see the cactus.
"It's a rare sight"
Ricky Learns Truth.
Court found them all right. He
halted just in time beyond the
hedge. Mary Crews was in Ricky's
arms, and he was kissing her.
Court backed up, without making
a sound. He found himself a few
seconds later on the path that led
home. He was almost frightened
at the fierce wave Of jealousy that
had swept through him. So it was
Ricky! Ricky worked fast, appar-
emily. He had way with women.
Court felt miserable suddenly, sick
and lonely and lost.
Mary Crews had wanted to kiss
Ricky. She had lifted her face the
way a woman does when she wants
to be kissed, he thought bitterly.
He was right. too. Mary Crews
had wanted Ricky to kiss her to
obliterate, If possible, the memory
of another kiss, Courts lips on hers.
his arms about her roughly, pulling
ner against him, the feel of his
cheek against hers. She wanted
pain to blot out the pain already
in her heart.
Ricky's kiss had been tender, but
his voice when he spoke to her an
instant later was harsh. You don't
love me, do you, Mary?"
She shook her head. There were
tears in her eyes.
Court, eh?"
Yes" she answered, "it's Court.
But he-he doesn't feel that way
about me-"
Ricky drew deeply on the ciga-
rette, stared up at the moon. We'll.
II yoC ever decide that you could
stand me for the rest of your life.
Just let me know. I've got a lob
IN Mexico with an oil company. and
1 was thinking Mexico would be a
swell place for honeymoon >"
He laughed rather moodily.
"MexicoP" Mary whispered. "Oh,
Ricky. I will miss you"
You'll let me know if you change
your mind?'
She nodded. Would 1t ease the
pain III her heart any to run away?
Or was that a child's trick, she
wondered.
Mr.. Carter Is Pleased.
Chlld,s trick or not, that was the
very thing Court decided on during
the long miserable sleepless hours of
that night. Cynthia's father had
mentioned something once about
some business he had in Chicago
that he wished Court would attend
to for him. He decided to 60 see
Mr.. Carter about it the next morn
ing.
Mr.. Carter's manner. however
was slightly reserved. You've hurt
CYNTHIA, Courtney. She's in love
with you, and I think you might be
bit more considerate of her. After
her mother died she was all had
left-and, well, I've tried to do
everything I could to make her
happy"
I'm sorry if I've hurt her. sir"
Court said. Il came toto see if you
still wanted me to try to handle that
Chicago business for you, but of
coure if"
Before Court realized what he was
doing, Mr.. Carter had picked up the
phone and dialed his home number
"Cynthia's been miserable" he con-
f1ded as he waited for an answer.
1--WE been almost crazy, seeing her
crying around, ever since she came
home from seeing you last" He
turned his attention to the phone as
some one answered.
Hello, Cynthia? Honey, I've got
good news for you," he said.
"But, Mr.. Carter" Court be-
gan feebly. He couldn't very well
say, I'm safraid I didn't mean that
I wanted to marry Cynthia. I only
wanted the job you offered He
might have known that the job
went with Cynthia.
Cynthia came down to the Office
at once. She rushed in and flung
her hot possessive arms about
Courts neck. "Oh, darling" she
whispered, II was beginning to think
you'd never come to your senses.
/ even was wondering If maybe you
didn't love me any more"
tCopyright 1941, Chicago Daily News, Ins.)
(Continued Tomorrow
Cynthia takes over the farm.