The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-09
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

had spoken, the quartet was 81
ent. Manuelita and Carlos stared
1t the two Americans as if theJ
should have known all along tina
they were Manuelita and Carlos
Estrada. Which they should have
Mallory put the apologies into
words. eff I'd paid any attention
to names that day of the inter.
view"
''If there had been introductions
in your apartment, cut in Richard
Blythe, 'instead of Broadway-style
instantaneous friendship - first
names
Manuelita interrupted him. Put
we like that sort of Americanisna
That is, Carlos and l do. My moia.
er thinks it is TERRIBLE
Her brother stopped her. But
mother is not home yet-quite yet,
anyway"
But soon. Very soon," said Man
uelita sadly.
Mallory took sip of tea, fla
vored with lime Il understand all
the chaperone talk now, Manuell
Ia. just as l was preparing to ask
you how you could dash every
where with Carlos and still adhere
to custom. You do remember fuss
ing because Carlos and l were in
the kitchenette together last night,
don't you?" Her violet blue eyes
held a haunting gleam.
Il remember ah. don't tease
me, Mallory, my friend. If you
think am strict, wait. Just wait!"
She raised he-' gold-braceleed
hand in an imperious gesture.
with father and mother in Rio
I have been able to live half way
as does an American girl. My gcod
Senorita Dolores permits me to 60
out with Carlos, knowing that ]
have a bit more amusement. Fir
tation, she says, is right for a girl.
1t makes her settle down and be
better wife,
Carlos spoke for the first time,
my sister -Ianuelita should make
all excellent wife, because she is
the excellent fli-t'
Everyone laughed. Mallory more
than the others. She leaned back
arc relaxed The relationship ex-
planned SO many things that had
seemed fantastic she felt happier
than she had in days.
Richard Blythe, however was
upset. What about the future"
Shall | see you, Manuelita. or shall
l have to leap ten-foot waltz
You'll see me. We are not quite
thai medieval For an instant she
sazed at his disgruntled face. "Ycu
know, Richard, when we are in
the. States we try to comply with
your code, to respect it. Tell me,
why are SO many Americans deter
mined not to do that much for the
Latin-Americans?'
Her dulcet voice made the stern
engineer squirm like a tschoo'boy
He gave a shame-faced grin 81
cringe"
We'll all see each other. Decro-
ously, naturally" The Mexican girl
ate some strawberries and slipped
strong black coffee. But that, in
view of other worries, should take
second place. This danger of Johr
and William Smith should come
inst" Bowling slightly, she gave
Spanish greeting to two elderly
men in black suits. Carlos also
bowed and spoke, dropping Nal
lo'y's hand to rise Instantly he re.
seated himself and clasped hec Fin
gers with his own warm ones. Man
uelita was saying, Don't be an
gr.', Richard, with Mallory because
she. confided in US. We also hate
the men,
Il told you they were allies" re-
minded the blond girl.
ITO be trusted Carlos tone
was sincere. please believe that
Richard Blythe nodded in curt
acknowledgment, then asked the
blond girl. do they know every
thing?"
mo. Just about my trip down.
What do you mean by every
thing? I want to know everything
the Mexican girl insisted.
Wasting no words, Blythe told
about Prism's having been drug