Arkansas State press., 1944-06-02

Hi, Annie,' he said. Il hope
you don't mind my coming back this
way. I thought you'd like to have
the latest dope"
"Oh, don't, Pete" she said. you
! know l always love to see you"
He grinned. Thanks, Anne.
wanted to tell you about Sue. She
was wonderful. poor little devil. She
barged into Fletcher's office. flags
flying, this morning at nine o'clock
and demanded to be taken to the
General and have Old Iron Lungs
brought in. Fletcher listened to her
a little and did 1t. and she shot the
works"
"Oh, Petel"
FLETCHER said she was swell. She
didn't try to find an out OF any sort"
whats going to ~happen?"
They're pretty human even II
they are tough" Pete said. II
guess they figured she'd learned her
lesson. Anyway. they wouldn't have
so much Of the goods on Taussig II
she hadn't shelled out the we'll
known plans"
Then that's that" Anne said.
He grinned at her again.
That's that" he said not very
steadily.
He stood looking at the ashen tip
Of his cigarette 4 moment. his face
sober and intent.
"And there's one other thing I'd
like to say. Annie. I was all wet
about Valera. "a heard they might
send somebody down like that. but
I didn't get hep to II until he turned
all the papers over to me up at the
coffee nnca.-I'd Just like to say
I'm sorry. Hes q swell guy"
He tossed his cigarette over the
balustr ade into the surf.
so I take II all back. Annie. l
hope you'll be awtully happy. Be-
cause you're 4 swell guy too"
"Oh. don't. Pete" she said.
You'll break my heart"
II wish I could" he said. 80
long. I suppose"
He stopped. Miguel Valera was
coming through the arcade. He
came on over. Am /"
II was Just going" Pete said.
"You did 4 swell job, Valera"
He held out his hand. Miguel
grasped 1t. Neither Of them spoke
for an instant.
Good luck" Pete said. II hope
you'll keep her out OF trouble. So
long. So long, Annie"
Don Alvaro Valera's party for his
sons homecoming had been sched-
uled for Sunday.
''He sees no reason for postpon-
ing It," Miguel told Anne. They
were lunching at the Mallorquina.
"It's a brave face to the world, l
suppose. I'm reporting for duty next
week, by the way"
He looked at her ~anxiously. My
father wants to talk to you, Anne"
Have you told him."
He nodded. HE thinks you're
splendid"
She hesitated for a moment. Mig
uel." she said. There's one thing
/ must ask you. Who Is the girl |
asked you about before?"
He looked at her for a long time
before he spoke. "She is . no.
body, Anne"
That's . not true" Anne said.
"She's somebody. She followed me
around, and she wrote me a note"
He looked down at his glass. Then
he pushed his chair back and leaned
forward.
Look, my dear" he said. "She
Is largely responsible for both you
and Wilcox not getting killed yester-
day. She Is . . . a friend OF my
uncle Diego Gongaro. She has been
listening to their talk ..."
Anne hesitated on the doorstep Of
the Valera home. Miguel took her
arm reassuringly. They went
through = tiled passage. In the
broad lovely patio Don Aware came
forward. bowling as he took her hand.
ut is a great pleasure. Senorita,"
he said.
He led her around 10 the right
where a woman In a heavily bead
ed blue crepe dress was talking ex-
citedly 10 another woman.
This Is Miss Haywood. Rosa. My
niece, Mrs. Arias."
They shook hands. Anne glanced
along the terrace. There was moth.
ing but women, all sitting in a long
row, chattering and laughing. She
looked across to the other side. Over
there there was nothing but men.
: She listened with bewildered atten-
ton to the voluhle stream that Mrs.
Arias was pouring out into her ear
about poor Graciela having to miss
the party TO be at her fathers side
In the hospital. Don Aware was
gone. Miguel was the center of the
group on the other side OF the patio.
Anne took her place in the row OF
chairs and slipped the cool cham
payne punch a servant brought her.
So far as she could see she was
the only Continental American there.
After a few moments Mrs. Arias
brought up an attractive woman In
- Liz lI.au .ao.Ia l-..- - ILL.,