New Britain herald., 1928-09-10
CHAPTER LXIV PLANS AND DETAILS

CHAPTER LXIV
 PLANS AND DETAILS
 4 week had passed since Lynda told Ralph that she would so with him. She had been to the office only lonx enough to tell Ralph's father that she would work for him no more. and to hint to him the de- cision she had made.
 Now Ralph was back home-in the big house, where the white vio- lets grew in teeming beds about the lawn, and where weeks before she had kissed him in sympathy for his bruises. It was there he had first told her that he loved her.
 She phoned to him to say that she was coming. She knew that Ralph would send Wilson with the car. And while she waited. her whole past fife came charging back to her. Now, as never before, she wished that her mother had not de- serted her.
 In tho midst of all these thoughts she heard the car stop at the curb. She hurried off to Ralph.
 Lynda was surprised to find Ralph very quiet and solemn when she arrived.
 He kissed her grsvely, and whis- pered: II will never let you re- gret this. my darling" Then he seat cd himself on the big divan. and pulled her down beside him.
 "rell me all your plans. dear heart" he said.
 "I really have none, Ralph" she answered. "The only thing that l have in mind is that l must have some clothes for long sea voyage" 9he blushed . lite. You see, l have very few dresses"
 Let mo buy them for you. Lyn- da."
 No, Ralph, I'll buy my own clothes until" She stopped. and her eyes grew misty. She could not gay "untii we are married" and she did not know what to call these ar arrangements they were making.
 Ralph had never been so quiet. Although his eyes were very tender when they rested on Lynda. he did not offer to take her into his arms. ehe observed, however. that his hands were clutching the end of the divan until the nails were white.
 Lynda wondered why she. herself. seemed 70 calm. She told Ralph that she was going to put her little home into the hands of the attorney who had been advising her. After l leave it. never want to see it again." she found herself saying. bitterly. "Claire is going abroad with Fred, and David Kenmore has gone out of my life."
 "I hope after we are gone. Lynda. that young Kenmore will go back to my father. I wish he had had a son like him instead of q ne'er-do- well like me-"
 David is . good man. Ralph. I do not know what l will do without his friendship"
 "You don't have to give him up, Lynda"
 He has given me up, Ralph"
 The tears were coursing down her cheeks now. Unashamed. she let them drop, one by one, into her lap.
 You will have to be awfully good to mo make up for David. Ralph"
 II hope fate will treat me as l treat you, my darling. When will you be ready to start for New York. Lynda!"
 T think I can go tomorrow night"
 Have you ever been there?"
 ''No, Ralph, but I will make out" l"
 "rll give you the name of dress maker, Lynda, who has made all the gowns for . friend of mine for years. She is not expensive" he told her. smiling.
 He told her that to calm her fears. For himself he planned to call up Madame Millfleur. and tell her that when Lynda came. to cut any thing she might desire a third, and bill the difference to him.
 T will come to New York the last of next week. and we will sail on the first steamship on which reser- vations can be had. You had better stop at the Waldorf. It is old. staid, and deadly respectable. will tele- Rraph and get rooms; also I'll wire Madame Millfleur that you will be there directly after lunch on Thurs day. Ask the room clerk at the Waldorf for your reservation. and I'll have . car at your disposal whenever you want to go shopping
 Thank you, Ralph. That will make 1t very easy for me-"
 "I want to make your life easy and joyous from now on."
 Ralph Armitage hesitated a mo- ment, and his face fell into graver lines.
 Lynda" he said, II feel very sor- " for my father. He has been aw- fully good to me, always. Although he rather got me into hole with my marriage. yet he thought he was doing the very best thing for me, and at that time he settled a half million dollars on me. This he doub- led when my wife developed insan- ity. and he has made will in my favor, although. heaven knows. l hope father will live until after ] am gone. I'll turn over to you, half of what he has given me"
 It stung her soul. those words. Like a wounded bird, fluttering to q haven, she battled poignant recol- lections. Her price! She had told Ralph's father 50. And now that Ralph had mentioned it, 1t scared her youthful pride, and caused her to consider, and to wonder.
 Stop, Ralph!" she said. peremp- torily, "Don't make me more ashamed than I am. would rather como to you without all this talk of money"
 But, my dear. want to safe
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