Arkansas State press., 1944-05-19
iA2IEE Nv

In" he asked.
The clerk nodded behind him.
.She's on the terrace. sir"
"Thanks."
Pete lit a cigarette and took a
deep breath. She could get as mad
as a hornet this time, but she was
going home and no monkey BUSH
ness about IL. He'd come from
Colonel Fletcher's office and he
knew enough low to be plenty
hardboiled about it.
He went up the palm'lined in
cline to the terrace. stepped out into
the arcade, and stopped. He stood
there stupidity, his mouth open, a
sharp sick ache tearing his insides
to shreds. She was there, and so
was Miguel Valera. But neither OF
them was aware that he was.
It seemed like hours before he
could wrench himself loose from the
tiled floor and get away. He stag
gered a little as he went, too blind
to see where he was going,
Anne closed the door Of her room
and stood for a moment in the dark.
leaning her head back against the
frame, her eyes closed. She was
happier than she had ever been or
ever known she could be. She
went along the narrow passage into
her room and stopped, looking at the
waste basket. Maybe she had bet
ter read the girls note after all.
Not that 1t mattered, because that
was the past, and pasts didn't count.
1t was just . She went to the
basket, but the note was gone. The
maid had emptied it out. And that
finished that. She was rather glad,
actually.
She went over to the mirror and
locked at herself. MIGUEL said she
was beautiful. Other people had
said II too, but it hadn't ever seemed
important before. Her eyes fell on
the picture of her father and mother
in the leather case on the dressing
table. She glanced at her watch
and at the telephone. and laughed
suddenly. They'd probably raise the
devil, but not very hard. After all.
It was her life, and they'd adore
him. Her father would like Don Al
varo. Nevertheless, there was no
use getting them all upset. She'd
better write.
She went over to the desk and
sat down. Perhaps she'd better
write to Pete too. Poor Pete. She
sat chewing the end Of the pen a
moment.
She stopped abruptly, Out In the
hall was the sound Of hurrying feet.
coming closer. a quick frantic tattoo
on the polished floor. She put down
the pen and turned around. They
were Just outside. In the next in
slant the door burst open, and Sue
Porter flashed it shut behind her
again.
''Annel" she cried.
She was as white as death, her
eyes desperate with fear.
'Annel Give them back, Annel'
Her voice broke into terrible sobs.
'oh, please. Annel'
Anne went TO her quickly. Give
you what, Sue? What is 1t? What
are you talking about?'
'Russell's plans the speci6-
cations"
She tried to control herself.
oh. II I can't get them I'll kill
myself" On, Russell, RUSSELL"
stop it. / tell you" Anne said.
''Where are they? What are you
coming here for?"
Sue looked up at her. her eyes
swollen and so ~hopelessly haggard
that Anne hardly recognized her in
them.
II gave them to Mr.. Taussig.
He said ii he could see them for
half an hour he could decide II Rus
sell was the man for a big Job they
have. Just for half ar hour, he
said. I thought . Oh, Anne. ]
thought . . :"
II know what you thought" Anne
said brutaliy. Go on"
But he didn't bring them back.
I kept calling UP. but I couldn'i
get him. And just now he came
over. He said they were gone-ou'
of his room. He was terriblel He
frightened me so I knew what I'd
done. / said Who'd steal them?
Where are they and he said. Go
ask your friend Miss Anne Hey.
wood. She's the thief. She's spied
on me every turn Of the road He
hates you. Annel"
Anne turned her head quickly, her
heart tnrobbing suddenly in her
throat. Someone was In the hall,
on the other side Of the door. 1t
was a sound Of cloth rubbing softly
against the wood.
There was a knock on the door.
II came again insistent and
yet somehow furtive, as If whoever
It was was looking up and down
the hall 70 make sure no y else
was coming.
Sue raised her body slowly from
I've bed. The room was suddenly
stntic with fear.
Don't, Anne" she whispered
Don't open ihe doorl"