The Skyland post., 1944-05-18


ment. It was Simonl He started
at her with obvious amazement
Her heart stopped. She wanted to
leap from the cab, to rush over
to him to try and explain. But
at that moment Jerry sat down
beside her and they began to drive
away. She looked out of the lit
tie window at the back of the
taxi to see Simon still standing
looking fixedly after her.
Jerry had seen Simon, too. He
glanced sidelong at Cherry.
"Well," he said, "if that isn't just
too bad!"
Cherry stared straight before
her. Tears stung her eyes. Her
throat felt dry and parched. She
felt an arm glide round her waist.
She flung away from it, turning
on Jerry furiously. ''I wish I
hadn't met you today. I was a
fool. I really didn't want to"
A dull red flush rose in his
cheeks. "Well, I'me dashed! What
a way to turn on a fellow!" Then
his tone changed, a concilliatory
note coming into it. "Have a
heart, Cherry. It wasn't my fault
we came out of that confounded
restaurant at the wrong moment.
It's just one of those unfortunate
things that sometimes happen.
But the world won't come to an
end"
Cherry felt at the moment that
it already had. She'd destroyed
Simon's trust in her and that was
more important than anything
else. Without it no marriage could
be happy. II wish I hadn't met
you," she repeated distractedly.
Jerry laughed shortly, "Flatter-
ing, aren't you? What have I done
to you? I've behaved darned de-
Gently. Here, let me dry those
tears. Gosh, what a silly girl it
Iis!' Again he would have put his
arms around her. Again she flung
away from his. She leaned for
ward and tapped the window, mo-
tioning to the driver to stop.
Here, what's all this?" Jerry
asked shortly.
'I'm sorry, Jerry. I don't want
to 60 to the pictures with YOU"
The taxi was drawing into the
curb. Jerry's face was ugly with
it's resentment and anger. "You
mean you're walking out on me?"
eyes, if you choose to put it
like that. I want to see if I can
catch Simon before he goes into
his office. I must have a word
with him."
Jerry laughed sardonically.
"You know, I'm beginning to
wonder why even wasted one
lunch time with you. I wouldn't
have had I known you were only
meeting me for what you could
get out of me-"
I'm sorry, Jerry"
''The devil you are! It's written
all over you. All right, out you
get! If Toddy Schenck tells me
Denise is still alive I'll send you
postcard. It'll look we'll coming
that way, won't it? People always
read postcards. Maybe that pre-
cious husband of yours will see it
before he hands it to you"
Cherry was tumbling out of
the taxi as he spoke.
The taxi driver looked at Cher
ry uncertainty, wondering what
had happened. It was rather
strange to pick up a man and
girl at a restaurant, be told to
drive to a theater, and have the
girl get out halfway down Shat
tesbury Avenue.
Another taxi was slowly pass
ing. She stopped the man and
jumped in. ''Cbarles Street,
please"
every good, Miss"
She had never been to Simon's
office and wouldn't dream of ac-
tually presenting herself there.
So she loitered in the shadow
of a doorway, watching for him.
Then her heart gave a leap. He
was crossing the street now Only
he looked so different - not the
kindly, friendly Simon whom she
knew and loved so we'll. This
mans face was white and set. He
walked along, looking neither to
right nor left.
A sob rose in her throat. She
moved forward. But even as she
did so, man walking close be-
hind Simon, overlook him. A man
in uniform with terrifying
amount of gold braid. She heard
him saw. "HellO. Lindon. YOU look