The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1944-02-15
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lltN1A(aa-% LORENA CARLETON q
BY EMIT N4
WRITTEN FOR AND REL EAsEp BY CENTRAL ASSOCIATION

it blocked the narrow highway.
Get back!" she screamed at
the other car. Her fear had her
so paralyzed that her voice was
not the jellified thing she had ex-
pected. Let me get turned
A man leaped from the other
machine. Good lord. Mallory, do
you have to see everything?" 1t
was Richard Blythe, in dinner
clothes. In the limousine back OF
him she could distinguish other
white shirtfronts.
In the windshield of Blythe's car
the saw the lights of the one that
had been behind her. whats that
going on around here, anyway"
Mallory. get your car turned
again and 60 on where you had
started. Just don't look into any
bitches. I told you they did things
in a hurry down here when they
finally are convinced. The car
back of you holds your soda pop
salesman. Guarding you, prin-
cess" He clasped her hand tightly
''Dona Bertha's place is easy to
find in Taxco and one of her spe-
ommends for you"
II might have known I'd find
you here the singer said to Tod
Gals is just, what De- Blythe rec-
Patrick. It was little past 8
o'clock. She had registered, then
strolled beneath the laurel trees
in the plaza over to Dona Bertha's
cantina. She sat down beside him
at the oilcloth covered table and
watched the staid woman mix a
drink, in response to Tod Patrick's
lifted hand.
what better place could l be?"
he asked when the girls drink, al
so a fresh one fo- him, were put
before them. 1--we had a marvel.
Gus rest. You We're right, Mallory.
Mexico truly is the land for a va
cation"
but you've rested long enough.
You should he attending to your
work" She took a swallow of her
drink, then a couple more. And
what about me? You don't even
show interest. You didn't even
come to my last concerts" To
hide her trembling chin she took
more of the Bertha Special.
Il was afraid you might call me
Legree."
ITS not right for you to laze
around while l have to work. And
60 through all sorts of things"
Her chin was trembling again;
she gave it the teouila treatment.
Murder" she said.
He said nonchalantly, Eyes,
Prism told me about that. Don't
get excitde because you were I'M
fortunate enough to witness such
scene. Those things happen &C.
casionally on American highways
and you fail to tear your hair"
"Oh, Tod. stop criticizing me.
I've been criticized enough" Her
eyes were drenched with tears.
She turned away.
I'll bet she has," the man
thought. Someone has talked the
bitter truth to her. just as Manu-
elita talked it to me that day she
came down here to find me. But
can't tell Mallory. Not yet. any,
way. Perhaps never"
He eyed her scrubbed face.
Mallory, do you have a cold or
hay fever?"
Neither. And you know it, you
unmitigated dope! I'm crying"
Her words sounded as if they were
balanced on the tool of steel
riveter. You didn't even give me
a Christmas present."
''It's not Christmas. Not until
the sixth, but if you're going to
pout I'll give it to you now" He
took a box from his pocket and
showed her the ring inside. Ma
tional pawnship. so don't worry
about strings attached" 1t was a
clear but fiery ruby, surrounded
by diamonds. "One for each year,