Radio and television mirror (Jan-June 1941)

"It would me!" "Tell me what I ought to do," Page said, trembling, holding tight to his hands. "Whatever is best for you and me. I've got to get out of here, Lynn. I'm frightened." "They wouldn't hurt you. They'll send you over to Belmont today, with the biggest check you ever saw, if you give them that." Page looked at her companion. "We go together or we don't go at all," she said. "Tell me what to do?" "Tell Mrs. Prendergast tonight that you have the diamond hidden," Lynn said promptly, "and will give it to her on Saturday morning. Today's Tuesday. That gives them four days to pack up what they want, and get out." "But suppose they, Flora and Mrs. Prendergast, plan to do something right away? It might be too late!" "They won't do anything to me until they've got it." "I'll think of a place to hide it. I'll tell you where it is," Page decided quickly, excitedly. "But one thing more, Lynn," she added, as they went down the terrace stairs and walked out on the cliff; "shall I tell Rand? He's our one hope if Flora goes queer, or if — but I can't even believe it yet! — if Mrs. Prendergast is only pretending to be lame." "Don't tell him yet! She may tell him. Wait and see what happens." RAND, just after luncheon, told her quietly that the body of Fanny Roy had been taken to Belmont, and met there by Mrs. Roy's daughter. Rand said suddenly, a moment later, "You will go away with me, won't ycu?" The girl looked at him curiously, her color rising. "I mean — " he said confusedly, "I mean that I am going away — almost immediately. I want you — most terribly— to go too. I want you to wait for me — somewhere, anywhere — and we'll — we'll ... He broke off abruptly, and there was another pause. "I don't know what I'm saying," he said. Page was still. The flutter that his shaken tone brought to her own heart, silenced her. Presently Rand spoke again, in his usual quiet tones. "I told you weeks ago that I had no right to say this to you, and I didn't mean to say it," he said. "But is there any chance — I don't mean now — I don't mean in this accursed place ! But after weeks, months, when all this is closed up and forgotten, would you — is there any chance that you would wait for me somewhere?" "Rand . . . no," the girl said quietly, after a moment. "I'm terribly sorry. I've never cared that way for any man." "But you might. Any girl might. You'll love some man some time." "I don't know. Just now it's all mixed up in— in being afraid of this place," Page said. "Since last night — I've wanted — horribly — to get away. I've felt scared quite suddenly, of Flora, and of . . ." She finished the sentence with a motion of her head toward the closed door of Mrs. Prendergast's room. "I think," Rand said quietly, after thought, "that the sooner we all get away torn here the better. But— I must have you, Page," he ended. The phrasing of it startled her. I m not the kind of man you ought to marry. But I'd try to make you happy," Rand said, his tone so strained, so almost fierce,' that the commonplace little words seemed to JANUARY, 1941 carry a sinister meaning. Page saw that dark color was flushing his face, and that great veins were standing on his neck. "Rand, not now," the girl whispered. "I'm really too frightened at everything that's happening. If it weren't for Lynn — " She paused. She hadn't meant to say that. "Why do you say 'if it weren't for Lynn'?" he asked. "I like him so much," Page answered simply. "I feel so sorry for him. I don't want to go until he has given up that diamond, and until he is taken care of." "Don't make me jealous, Page," Rand said, in a low, hard tone, trembling like a man who is putting strong control upon himself. "Tell me that you are only kind to him; that all this laughing and picnicking isn't — isn't anything but that — " "Rand, don't be such a fool!" Rand had slipped from his chair; he was kneeling now beside hers, one arm half about her, his handsome dark face close to her own in the soft lamp and firelight. His voice was hoarse as he said: "Just give me a chance! Just say that much." What should she have answered? She did not know, for at this moment Mrs. Prendergast's voice was heard fretfully calling Flora, and Page went quickly in to her. The old lady had evidently been reading. She looked up with her gentlest smile as Page came in, and somehow the girl found tremendously reassuring this actual nearness to the ogress of whom she had been thinking all day. Page went over to the bed and laid a small browned hand against the puffy old discolored one. "I'm so sorry about your sister." "We talked together last night," Mrs. Prendergast said. "We parted friends." "You did? Oh, I'm so glad! Does Rand know that?" "Flora does. But I told her only tonight, and she may not have told him. Yes; poor Fan!" Mrs. Prendergast said, dreamily. "She was lovely," Page said. SHE was very beautiful once. Sit down here on the bed, Page, I want to talk to you a minute. This last thing has decided me — we're all going away. Do you want to come with me to Connecticut?" Page had considered the possibility of this offer before. She answered without hesitation, "To get you settled — to be sure you were comfortable — of course I'd come. I've never been out of California; I'd love it." "That unfortunate boy will still have the diamond,, of course. We can do nothing about that. You've done your best. The men who came down here from Pinkerton's told me that that's the fate of all diamonds; they are lost sooner or later. Well — " Page was conscious, in the pause, that her heart was beating fast. She laid her hand on Mrs. Prendergast's hand again. "I have the diamond," she said. Mrs. Prendergast looked at her first in silence, then asked in a quiet tone, "What did you say, my dear?" "Lynn gave it to me today. But he made me promise not to give it to you until Saturday." "You have it!" "I have had it. And I will have it on Saturday, and give it to you. That was the only way he would give it *KATHEKINE Ai.DRIDGE and BUDDY ROGEKS in 20th Century-Fox hit, "Golden Hoofs". Your hands, too, can have soft charm, if you use Jergens. Have Love-Worthy advises Kay Aldridqe • f90fti r»ntnrv.rnv Stnrl" (20lh Century-Fox Star)' IT'S SO EASY! And quick! Smooth on Jergens Lotion regularly — especially after handwashing. This famous Lotion furnishes beauty-giving, softening moisture most girls' hand skin needs. (Water, wind and cold are so drying to your hand skin!) Two of Jergens' fine ingredients are relied on by many doctors to help harsh, "crackable" skin to lovely smoothness. No stickiness! The first application helps! 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