New Britain herald., 1928-09-06


mainder of my life l will be. more
or less, the subject of scandalous
gossip. What shall ! do. Claire?"
what about David, Lynda"
Il will tell you honestly that had
David Kenmore believed in me. /
would never have though of Ralph,
but David did not believe. and
have suffered too much because my
father did not believe in me. to
think I would be happy with anoth-
er man who could harbor any sus-
picion of a woman he professed to
love.
AFTER this, Claire. ! am only 60
ing to think of myself. 1t is going to
be what will make me happiest.
what shall l do, Claire?" again
asked Lynda Fenton.
My dear girl, l would not pre-
sumo to advise YOU in this, the most
important decision Of your life, but
on general principles. l would say
that the mere fact that you asked
me for my advice is almost proof
that YOU are not sure that to accept
Ralph Armitage will bring you hap
piness."
"Oh, dear" said Lynda, with
heartfelt sigh. Il wish ] could talk
it over with Davie." She caught
Claires horrified expression, and
burst out laughing. Until then she
had not realized how the speech had
sounded. Neither had she realized
how much she had depended upon
him all her life, and what a void
there would be if David should go
out OF 1t.
CHAPTER LNIII
is THIS A WAY OUT
"You certainly are a queer one,
LYNDA" Claire exclaimed. ito think
of any girl wanting to talk over the
possibility of of her becoming the
sweetheart of another, with the man
to whom she is practically engaged.
would seem impossible. This would
be a most tragic situation If 1t were
not so perfectly ridiculous.
Nothing that l could or would
say, dear. would have any effect up
on you, l am sure, but there is one
thing I want to impress upon you
very hard, and that is-go slow.
Ralph is still in the hospital. A day
or two will not make very much diff
ference. You have evidently gained
the respect, II not regard. of Mr..
Armitage, senior. Let we'll enough
alone for the present"
The door bell pealed. THAT Is
Fred" Claire exclaimed. Il said
would go and drive with him for a
while tonight
Lynda extended her hands. Dear
Claire, / am glad you are going to
be happy"
"And SO am I. Lynda" answered
Claire, as she opened the door and,
flinging back a goodbye with. u
won't be gone long" she went out
leaving Lynda alone.
She sat quite still after Claire had
left, trying to think, but at last .she
found that her brain refused to
function and, jumping up. she slip
ped into her coat, and pulling her
hat down on her head, went out in
to the street.
1t was twilight now. A purplish
graw shadow had settled over every
thing.
There is no more use of waiting,
she said to herself. Il will only be
unsettled and unhappy until have
decided one way or another. ] will
just go over to the hospital and tel
Ralph that whenever he decides
that he wants me enough to &c
against his fathers wishes, I will &c
to him. Poor Ralph. he is not tt
blame because Fate has played him
sorry trick"
Slowly she turned toward the hos
pital. and presently she found her
self In among a more than usua
number of pedestrians who all seem
ed making for central meeting
place. big wooden building. Almos
unconsciously. Lynda followed thu
crowd, which seemed composed o
men and women In the middle wall
of life. with more young people thar
old. She looked about her curiously
Every face had a joyous expression
upon It. They all seemed happy
Because Of the looks OF these people
she decided to go where they wer'
going II there was place wher'
kind of happiness could be found
that was impervious to all the sting
of destiny-that was inpregnable Il
sorrows onslaught. She wanted Il
find it.
When she arrived within the Aud
rtorium, 1t was we'll filled. and maj
was playing the great pipe organ il
a mastery manner. The music a
one time laundering. and then soft
ening down to tender grooming
was balm to Lynda's perturbed spir
IT. Already she felt surrounded by al
atmosphere of comforting peace
. already much of her worldly agita
ton had left her.
Down the broad center aisle cam
| a vested choir of young men an
women. singing Onward Christian
Soldiers" all of them having o,
. their faces that same expression o
mysterious inner happiness.
The vast audience rose to its feet
as behind them a woman came int
view. She was tall, and had the gen
erous shapes and curves of an an
: tinque. statue, rather that tn
straight lines of the women of today
Her high held head was crowne
with hair of Furnished copper. an
Z her eyes, large and luminous. SCENE
! of the same golden hue.
She mounted the rostrum. and a
, the last note of the hymn died o
. the air, she said in voice that hel
: a most peculiar magic. Il want g,
r cry person in this building to tur
| and shake hands with the person o
; the right"
In minute or two she continued
t Now. shake hands with the perso
on the left"
There was another rustic made b
{ the people turning, and then tn