European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 29, 1948, Darmstadt, Hesse                                By Jean Sullivan illustration by Martin Freyer Alana s Buind. Before it was snatched l y us wrist had struck Lii Glass sharply. Svnops1s on a month s leave from his Job As a policeman in Cleveland Bill Keith Check sin at an exclusive summer resort in Nevada As a san Francisco Playboy. In the. Bar he overhears a Brunet hurling threats at a Lovely blonde for dancing with col Routier manager of the resort. Bill cuts in on the dancing pair to give the blonde a word of warning and learns she is Alana Stevens col s Secretary. While Alana and Bill dance col sends his Henchman gig Benson to fetch her Back this party. The two men get into a fight but Alana refuses Bill s help and rejoins real. Bill leaves for Reno to meet sheriff Mccann who investigated the death of Rick Martin Bill s Best Friend. Supposedly Rick drowned accidentally while under the influence of drink. But Bill knowing his Friend was a Teet Taler suspects murder. Deciding to investigate on his Oum he contacts Mary Gerard the girl Rick was to have married on the Day of his death. In the car Mary tells Bill she lost her Faith in Rick when she heard How he died. Part ii Keith s voice came out harsh. Suppose you think what you read in the newspaper about Rick was right did t you question what you read As Well As you knew Rick i Mary. Gerard s laugh was a startling j sound. Of course i did. And do you know what the sheriff said when i told him we were to have been married that Day he said you know How men Are miss Gerard Keith s fingers closed tightly around the slim smoothness of the steering wheel. Men Aren t All alike. There Are men like Rick. He was decent Loyal " that s what i thought top when i met him Mary interrupted in a tens voice. A know you blamed me Bill for letting Rick fall in love with  was married then but. Not really married. My husband did t love me. Iwas just one of his possessions. Before i met Rick i was bitter but afterwards i saw the whole world  i know that Keith said gruffly. Rick had met her at a servicemen s party in new York and then just be fore the transport had sailed for Europe she had mentioned that she had a Hus band. It had hit Rick hard but it had t changed him. Rick was always thesame.,. Steady sensible understand ing. That was Why it did you so much Good to know him. When my husband died mar went on Rick wrote to me. He still loved me after All that  i know that too Keith said. Then why.?" Mary cried. Keith turned his face toward Herand his words came from deep in a tight Throat. Why did he drown do  he wanted to die Are you blam ing him for it maybe i am the girl was rigid and she spoke shrilly. I m blaming him for the wild party that went on in the Cabin where we were to spend our honeymoon and i m blaming him for getting drunk for four years i Lavedas though it were True that there Are people As honest As Rick seemed to be. Well now i m going to make up for those four years when my friends called me holy mar shut up Keith hissed suddenly shut up Mary Gerard recoiled physically from the Impact of his command. In the Light from the dashboard she saw the threatening twist of the Man s shoulders the fury in his White face. And for Long moments they stared at one  the girl covered her face with her hands and  watched her and the trembling anger went out of him. Her sobs had a wild uncontrolled hopelessness , with awkward hesitancy put an Arm around her shoulders. I m sorry Mary he whispered and although his embrace held nothing but sympathy it seemed to steady her. She found her handkerchief. The she pushed rumpled Auburn hair away from her forehead sat up straighter  took his Arm away. Why dont we admit it Keith said finally. We both lost More than Rick Martin. We lost Faith in men you in your Way i in mine. At least i did for a Short time after i read your letter.". The girl turned her head slowly to Ward him and he saw the Haggard misery of her face. In t that it Mary?".1 " yes she whispered shakily Only did t expect that much understand ing from a  Keith relaxed at last his hands on the steering wheel. I be taken a month s leave from being a policeman to Bea detective he said i d swear Rick s death was t accidental there was a breathless silence in Theca. Mary Gerard was a White statue with Auburn hair and Green dress. Murder she whispered. Rick had t any enemies what have you to prove what proof that was the question that had become a tightening pressure in his Chest now that he knew How Mary Felt. He owed it to Rick to put Back the Faith she had lost. He owed itto Rick who had loved her Bill if i Only knew " she did t finish the sentence. Look ing at her Keith exhaled the deep breath he had been holding. Ill  i believe he promised evenly. When Bill Keith drove Back to Lakein the sky Lodge that night his prom ise weighed heavily on his heart. Staring gloomily at the Gray pave ment and the White line that curved out ahead of him Keith sent the club Coupe Forward with a surge of Speed. Whether it was sentiment or reason ing that had prompted him he had committed himself now to go  fought off another wave of self doubt. What had he to work with he remembered Mccann s face As head named it just Faith in a Friend absorbed in his thoughts Keith had lost track of time. Now he slowed Theca and looked up in Surprise at the sign beside the Highway announcing Lake in the sky Lodge dancing gaming cocktails Keith Felt a sudden distaste for the place As he drove past the main in trance and turned into the oiled Road leading toward the Beach and Lake. His housekeeping. Cabin apart from the a 0 = Al i i 16 weekend mat 23, ims