The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1943-10-07

Jane slid into her coat. Her
eyes met Stella's. I shan't tell
him I know you. If ever feel I
must, I'll tell you first. But af-
ter tonight I don't think I'll see
any more of him."
Stella shrugged her shoulders
'That's up to you. Good-by,
darling. You needn't tell me
how you get on or what you de-
eide to do. I just don't want to
hear about him. But let me see
you again soon and for a little
longer than this evening if you
can possibly manage it."
Jane walked to Kettners'. 1t
wasn't worth a taxi.
AS she entered the brilliantly
lighted foyer and saw him COM
ing toward her she knew that she
wasn't going to cut him out of
her life as she'd thought at first.
Oh, no! She'd do quite the re-
verse. She'd see him just as Of
ten as he wanted her to or rather
as often as she chose he should
see her. If he was in love with
her now it wouldn't be her fault
if he didn't fall twenty times as
much in love with her. Then
she'd give him a little of what
he'd given Stella.
He stood smiling down at her
and she told herself her heart
was quite steady. It didn't mean
a thing that he was so attractive
that all other women around
were cocertly glancing at him or
that there had been no thrill as
his hand had touched her arm
or had there? But no OF
course there hadn't. Her feelings
toward him had changed COM
pletely. She glanced at the clock
and back again at him.
I'm late, I know. I'm sorry"
His face was alight with eager
ness at sight of her. 1t was as if
flames burned in his eyes. He
said urgently, II was so desper-
ately afraid you weren't coming,
that perhaps I'd only dreamed
that l met you this morning. Oh,
Jane, Jane. If you knew what
you've done to mel"
She could have said just that
to him if she had come straight
to Kettner's and not stopped to
see Stella on her way. AS it was,
she was now immune.
Il just couldn't get here any
sooner" she said evenly.
Tips had booked the same ia
BILE. There were champagne
cocktails again. When the waiter
moved away, leaving them alone
he said wonderingly, II just can't
believe I've found you again
Darling, love you so much"
Tips, please, want to tell you
something. l
He smiled. Il want to hear on
ly one thing from YOU"
Il can't say it"
He frowned What do you
mean? This morning
'This morning was long
while ago." she said lightly.
He looked at her in bewilder-
ment. "Are you having little
joke with ne, pretending you
don't care? If so, it's not very
funny"
mo, I'm not joking" Then, re-
membering that she wouldn't cut
him out of her life but instead
she was going indeed to fool him,
she added: cts just that I've
been doing a little straight think
ing"
His brows drew together. II
see. And the result?"
She looked at him. "We know
so little of each other. 1t would
be crazy to rush into marriage.
It is such serious STEP"
Don't l know it!' His face
clouded. 1--WE been married once
already. It was four years ago
and a failure from the word co.
James heart was hard. II see.
Is that meant to encourage me?
How do you know you wouldn't
be making a mistake a second
timer"
Because you're different" he
said without any hesitation and
with note of deep conviction In
his voice. because I don't be-
lieve you'll be stupidity jealous or
suspicious if 1 look at another
woman. Ldon't believe you'd call
me liar if I gave you my SOL
emn word of honor was speak
ing the truth"
The world seemed to stand still
for a moment while Jane allowed
L %Io+ 4hic Iooi0hf