The Wilmington morning star., 1943-12-28

still slept.
Still, pondered Mallory, he was
MT exactly blond; that is, o
when judged by her own flaxen
blondness But he wasn't dark.
either. 1t was the heavy tan that
made him seem dark. She leaned
closer. At that instant the mans
eyelids flew open and he looked
her full in the face.
Hello" he said, then responded
to her puzzlenent with, 1--WE do
know each other, don't we?"
Mallory drew back. I'm not
sure. l believe not
''You look familiar" He grinned.
"Andl surely look familiar to you
or you wouldn't have stared So"
Mallory stiffened. I'm srry il
1 seemed to be staring"
SEEMED is putting it lightly"
He leaned across the aisle toward
the girl. Immediately she bent
away from him.
II thought you we're asleep"
she said in confusion.
mot really asleep. That's just
my miraculous slunlber that per-
mits me to know everything that
goes on, just like Bowser mapping
on the welcome mat" His grin
was WIDER now. Il wouldn't dare
really to sleep-not with you near
me. You're exactly the picture Of
fascinating, international spy,
who would steal my briefcase."
Mallory Baker gruzted scornfu]-
ly. Beneath the brown mesh veil
her face was prim Spies are not
fascinating these days. That is ex-
actly what they are NOT"
The young man leaned back and
laughed heartily. His teeth were
lustrous in the dull blue-gray. light
seeping INTO the plane. Mallory S
quick perusal Of their travelling
companions amused the man still
more Three Or four OF them had
an idea of the conversation; others
were striving to hear.
whats the matter?" the man
asked Mallory
Il don't like 10 be embarrassed
See here! IN sorry / stared" she
said again. Il found your uncon-
scious face less boring than this
book I have with RE. I've already
read it three times But we don't
know each other. so let's stop this
unsatisfactory, meaningless chit
chat
Just as Mallory finished her
prim-mouthed laceration, the stew
ardess edged up the aisle. Il see
you are taking good care of Mr..
Blythe How nice OF you" S h e
shifted her clear, thoughtful glance
from the girl to the man. Can 1
do anything for you Mr.. Blythe?"
Yes. I'd like cup of your
strongest sassafras tea. My nerves
have just been cruelty attacked. :"
"Sassairas?" The attendant
shook her head with uncertainty
and smiled. AS if he'd been excru-
ciatingiy witty, seeihed Mallory
I'm afraid you'll have to be con-
tent with orange pelSoe How about
you. Miss Baker,"
mo thank you. My nerves are
serene"
Baker" the young man repeat
ed. I'm beginning to catch. You're
Mallory Baker, of course. l saw
you not SO long ago."
"Indeed?" Her reply was curt.
my manager tells me to smile at
every possible tan, whether l want
to or not Right now I think I'll
not bother" Nevertheless, Mallory
Bakers conceit made her a k,
''What did you see? l did La Clio
conda just week ago tonight. :"
Now Mallory was leaning across
the intervening space. And the
week before that l was Lucia-did
you like the Mad Scene, Mr..
Blythe? Surely you saw both?"
Richard Blythe's answer stopped
her spluttering. Il saw neither. I
saw you IN Mexico City"
but I've never been there
"This was a picture.
ooh! But how stupid of tn e
producers-how coulc the audience
possibly understands
Mallory had already decided her
attractive neighbor's eyes were an
even shade of browh. Now they
seemed to be filled with bobbing,