Henderson daily dispatch., 1942-12-07
CHAPTER NINE

LOT UNTIL Paige lcapcd to her
feet did EuGcnia dar: hack. SCREEN
ing herself behind the folded glass
doors. For one frozen moment the
dark-haircd girl stood watching
and listening. but the same sounds
of hilarity filtered through to her
private porch. 1t was as If nothing
had happened.
Now that she knew Euocnia
was there. the low foChOrn sound
of her voice became audible and
recognizable. Paige heard her cry
ou:. Lets all be gay! Get ME a
drink, someone"
She must have known the naval
officers previously. pOndcrcd Paige.
If not, she was Il fast worker TO
wanglc an invitation 10 the So-cCn-
Ncnicnt ncXt-duor suite. Paige'g
heart prOvolcd her by beating like
Il trip hammer.
with a blind start she stcpped
over the high door ledge and went
INTO the bedroom. Slanming the
glass and iron door hard after her
There was something unwhc,"-
some about the arSclically tinted
EuScnia. And she was n danger.
Paige knew That. Again she man
aged to move, this time toward tn"
outside door. But jus, rs she
emerged into the narrow hallway
the explanatory LatinS almost col
lidcd with her on their way back
into their quarters. This time they
were accompanied by Sims OIL
Ger, who bcckoncd pcrcmptorilv to
the steward. The door closed behind
the entire party.
Paige had drawn back when she
first noticed the Ovcr-cxcitcd gcs-
ticulating group. Now she shut her
own door with genie caution. Hav-
ing decided not 10 30 ont. she went
TO the desk and began little thank
you notes for the rcmcmhranCcs.
a fantastic hit of business. she con-
siderCd 1t, inasmuch as the gifts
were intended for EuCcnia.
Rusty came in and found her oc-
cupied with that duty. did You
have lunch" lie wanted to know.
Not with you"
Il know that naturally" lie
dumped n tremendous pile of quar-.
ters from a slot machine into a
desk drawer. Il really intended to
come back much earlier, but there's
nhCnltttA &c y,.,. L..
with u.s."
Paige looked up and gave him n
direct gaze. i've had little at
tention, too"
Really? From whom ?"
"Eugenia." .
His hands pounded together in
nproarious satisfaction. "fIooray.
joy! Glad! And all such stun.
Where did it all happen"
Right here" Paige laid down
her pen and began to explain.
But she got no farther than the
fact that Eugcnia was nest door.
Bounding TO the door tina; scparat-
ed their two rooms. Rusty Carncs
all but icapcd through ami soon
was leaning over the rail. calling
back to Paige in voice filed with
honcyed tenderness. Darling. come
out here. I'm lonely when I'm away
from you for a single second"
Because she knew II meant so
much to the man. Paige followed
. him with matching sprightlncss.
prepared to assist him in ro.
mantle tablcau.
Il know. my sweet. I feel the
same way"
Instantly his arm was about her
IN n circle so effective and strong
That no one in widest dreams
would recognize n pseudo love.
Paige did not say mitch after her
rapturOus reply. All the same, her
response was satisfactory. She nut
a look of lazy-cycd ecstasy on her
face and dropped her head to the
mans shoulder.
lie began to sing, with all my
heart. my burning hcart--I love
you. With every breath that / take
--nslecp or awakc--I love you"
Although his voice was astound-
ingly good, Paige thought. "How
am I going to help break into
,honking laughter"
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