Evening star., 1951-05-16
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWo

Tania watched the other girl
the fingers of her right hand
clasping the gun in her pocket
Her body was taut with fear. She
felt positive that Gloria was the
killer. The motives were plain.
Jealousy. Hatred. Resentment.
Then suddenly. to her astonish-
ment. Gloria collapsed into a mis-
cradle little heap on the sofa, the
tears streaming down her over
painted face.
IL guess you think I'm in
sane, coming here like this.
making q scene" she sobbed. II
know 7 have no right. Bill never
mentioned love to me, but l.
then her sobbing drowned out her
words.
Tania leaned over her, touch
Ing her shoulder. She said with
simple directness, GLORIA, did you
kill Nina Hardwicke, believing it
was me? Did you kill Jeremy?"
The sobs stopped. Gloria stared
up at her with a Mortified. stricken
face. "Oh, no! Never! couldn't
oh, Tania, how can you ever
think such things! I was jealous
of you and furious with Jeremy,
but II loved him. I might have
pulled your hair or scratched you
If I'd had a chance, but I wouldn't
really harm any one. Truly.
Tania!"
Tania's shoulders dropped wear
lily. The girl was frightened, and
obviously telling the truth. No, it
couldn't have been Gloria. Her
mind. as well as her instinct, as
sured her of this.
At least she said gently, I'm sorry
I didn't know you were Jeremy's
wife, Gloria. I wouldn't have
looked at him twice if I had
known" And she told Gloria
that she had broken her engage
ment to Jeremy, that she had not
loved him.
"But he didn't tell me-" Gloria
cried bitterly. "He wasn't any
good, Tania. I know it. He didn't
care whom he hurt"
Tania said, her voice quiet, But
Bill Reynolds is a different matter
entirely, Gloria. Listen to me. ]
met Bill and knew him before you
did. I love him. He is the only
man I've ever loved. Let's be fair
about this. Let's let Bill decide
which one of us he wants. If I
lose-well, I'll try to be good
loser"
A weak smile struggled to
Gloria's mouth. "I understand
now why so many people mourned
when they thought you had been
killed." she said softly. You're a
good person, Tania. Honest and
decent. A lot better person than
I am. Maybe-maybe some day
we can be friends And she
looked up anxiously at Tania.
I'm sure we can. Gloria. And
now you'd better go home so both
of us can get some sleep"
But after Gloria had gone, and
the door was locked again. Tania
felt as if she had been pushed
deeper into the blind alley. For
If Gloria was innocent. who was
the murderer? Behind what
smiling friendly mask was he hid
ing?
After troubled, restless night,
although a night without further
incident, Tania woke up think
ing, "I have to see Bill. I can't
let pride stand in my way. I
have to try to make him love me
as Tania!"
However, when she reached him
at his apartment, his cool, clipped
voice almost changed her mind.
eyes, Miss Lynn" he asked.
could you come to my apart
ment for lunch, Bill? Please.
I'd like to speak to you about
something Important"
He hesitated a long moment.
At last he said, els / o'clock all
right? have to be at the Courier
by 2:30."
There was a sudden uncontrolla-
BILE lift in her voice as she an
swered, Zone o'clock will be fine,
Bill"
Her unhappiness faded and she
sang to her herself as she dressed
In a smart emerald-green frock
which set of the dark fire of her
hair.
She shopped quickly, buying in