Evening star., 1941-04-02

rienced-made her feel suddenly
faint. She swayed, clung to a chair
for support.
VaSlav was at her side in a flash
Strange, broken. passionage words OF
endearment and self-reproach
poured from him as he lifted her
gently. placing her on the wide
lounge. She became aware that he
was kneeli.lg. anxiously implorins
her pardon.
Asks for Explanation.
She had the sense of watching
play; a play she felt now she
could safely see through to the end
please, Vaslav, get up!" He COM
piled instantly. mo, don't stand
>: sit there. Now tell me
just what is this about? I really
think l have the right to know"
He appeared to mediate for a
moment, his eyes fixed beyond her
He nodded.
"Yes, that is true. But-for one
reason only. Because love you!
Waltz give you my word that this
is true-I have loved you from the
first time we danced together-no
woman has meant much to me be-
fore-I shall never love any other
woman again!" His tone was vi
brant with feeling. And you may
know 1 am not lying, because say
this realizing that you, of all women,
do not love me" His eyes pierced
her suddenly. That's true, isn't it?"
I'm sorry I'm afraid it is"
"Ah!" he exclaimed. "Why didn't
you run that knife in me?" He
stared at her with despairing eyes.
ITS curious until tonight. I
somehow fancied I was making
progress" His tone was bitter. Tell
me. my beautiful, what is 1t? Why,
of all women. should you be the
one I cannot possess?"
Asks for Secrets.
What should she say? OF course
1t would be easy to tell him she was
in love with Dick. But that would
not help her learn the things she
had to know.
Perhaps" she said softly, after
moment of thought, 1T is because
you are so mysterious we'll,
frankly, because I don't really know
you'll can't explain, but you seem
to be like this house-full of strange
surprising secrets"
He nodded gravely.
That is Understandable, my dear
But if that is all, it can easily be
remedied"
1T can?"
Certainly" He spread his hands
In a gesture of helplessness. u
shall simply tell you my secrets.
What would you like to know?
When I fell In love with you? 1t
was the first time I saw you. At
Mountwyns."
"Please!" Brinda broke in. "I
mean your real secrets. For ex-
ample, what did you mean when
you said you had saved my life?"
Vaslav blew meditative smoke
ring.
That is somewhat involved, my
love. Oh, have no Doubt shall
tell you But 1t Is a so complicated
matter that perhaps we might bet
ter put it off until another time.
After the ballet, say :"
The ballet?" She wondered at
his assurance. Still, having gone
so lar why should she draw back
now? Especially with the end of
her quest In sight. YES" she said.
After the ballet"
Vaslav's glance swept her pos
sessively.
Il am afraid, my sweet, that I
shall have great difiiculty in keep
ing my mind on the performance.
But I shall do my best. Mean
while E. please give me some hope" {"
She shook her head.
L don't know. Stick to your bar
gain. After the ballet D.. we'll see."
A Change in Plans.
Brinda arose, suddenly weary OF
her surroundings, desperately eager
to be safely home and tucked be-
tween cool, calming sheets. She
had little personal fear OF Vaslav
now; yet she was deeply relieved
when, at last, she found herself
again in the wide lower hall. Never
again would she enter the hidden
elevator, nor trust herself in that
strangely disturbing room.
1t seemed years since the end of
the rehearsal, and she realized with
a start that it was actually very
late. Nearly 3 am, a hurried
glance at her watch told her.
III see you home, of course"
said Vaslav. Unfortunately my
car is out of service. I hope you
tolerate taxis."
She could feel the strong tremor
Of his hand as he touched her, help
ing her with her wraps. There was
no escaping his pervasive yearning
it was like something that could
be felt and touched. Brinda knew
now how violent that compulsion
could be when unleashed, and she
shivered.
No real need to bother" she
protested, as he helped her into