The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-02-12
CHAPTER NINE

CHAPlEh NINE
NOT UNTIL Paige leaped to her
feet did Eugenia dart back, screen
ing herself behind the folded glass
doors. For one frozen moment the
dark-haired girl stood watching
and listening. but the same sounds
Of hilarity filtered through to her
private porch. 1t was as II nothing
had happened.
Now that she knew Eugenia
was there, the low foghorn sound
OF her voice became audible and
recognizable. Paige heard her cry
out, Lets all be gay! Get me a
drink, someone"
She must have known the naval
officers previously, pondered Paige.
II not, she was fast worker to
wangle an invitation to the so-con-
venient next-door suite. Pages
heart provoked her by beating like
a trip hammer.
With a blind start she stepped
over the high door ledge and went
into the bedroom. slamnfing the
glass and iron door hard after her.
There was something unwhole-
some about the angelically tinted
Eugenia. And she was a danger.
Paige knew that. Again she man
aged to move, this time toward the
outside door. But just as she
emerged into the narrow hallway
the explanatory Latins almost col
lded with her on their way back
into their quarters. This time they
were accompanied by a ships Off
Ger. who beckoned peremptorily to
the steward. The door closed behind
the entire party.
Paige had drawn back when she
first noticed the over-eXcited ges-
ticulating group. Now she shut her
own door with gentle caution. Hav-
ing decided not to 60 out, she went
to the desk and began little thank
you notes for the membranes.
A fantastic bit Of business, she con-
sidered it, inasmuch as the gifts
were intended for Eugenia.
Rusty came in and found her &C.
cupied with that duty. did you
have lunch" he wanted to know.
mot with you"
II know that naturally" He
dumped a tremendous pile Of quar-
tiers from a slot machine into a
desk drawer. Il really intended to
come back much earlier, but there's
an absolute mob Of friends sailing
with u.s.
Paige looked up and gave him a
direct gaze. 1--we had a little at
tention, too"
Really? From whom ?"
"Eugenia."
lis hands pounded together IN
uproarious satisfaction. "Hooray!
joy! Glad! And all such stuff.
Where did 1t all happen?"
Right here" Paige laid down
her pen and began to explain.
But she got no farther than the
fact that Eugenia was next door.
Bounding to the door that separat-
cd their two rooms. Rusty Carnes
all but leaped through and soon
was leaning over the rail, calling
back to Paige in voice filed with
honeyed tenderness, Darling, come
out here. I'm lonely when I'm away
from you for a single second"
Because she knew 1t meant so
much to the man, Paige followed
him with matching sprightliness,
prepared to assist him in a ro-
mantle tableau.
Il know. my sweet. I feel the
same way"
Instantly his arm was about her
In a circle so effective and strong
that no one in widest dreams
would recognize a pseudo love.
Paige did not say much after her
rapturous reply. All the same. her
response was satisfactory. She put
a look OF lazy-eyed ecstasy on her
face and dropped her head to the
mans shoulder.
lie began to sing, with all my
heart, my burning heart-I love
you. With every breath that l take |
asleep or awake--I love you"
Although his voice was astound-
ingly good, Paige thought, "How |
am I going to help break into
bonking laughter?" !