The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-08-09

he moved uncUl1lAOAI1DAJ OAAA
enc foot to the other. Yes, miss
--I am. You see, it's this way.
He stopped abruptly and glanced
1t Mrs. Morris. II we could
ooh, I'll goF' snapped that dis
appointed beIdame, and vanished
il q furry OF gingham through
the dining room door. Linda
heard a chorus Of questions raised
TO greet her.
She opened the parlor door and
led the man into its damp green
Gloom. He came in and leaned
uncomfortably against the golden
oak upright piano. She stood be-
fore him, q brave, slim figure
with golden head thrown back
ana hands hanging IN front Of
her, with fingers lightly inter-
laced.
Now, what is it?'
He began to dig into his vest
pocket. But his clumsy hands
came out empty. you see, miss,
County Attorney Johnson sent me
TO ask you to come down to his
office. Said not to frighten you,
but just say he wanted to talk to
you.
Linda's face remained Inn
passive. Very well. III come this
afternoon. VIII that be all right 3"
He flushed and stammered. If
you please, miss, you was to
!. come along with me. I was to
| wait till you got ready.
She made no sign that she
caught the menace OF his words.
{ e All right. You wait here and I'll
! change my dress" She was con-
scious that his eyes had wandered
time and again to her bare arms
/, and curiousIy shOd feet.
The man nodded and sat down
on the piano stool. She left him
swinging around and around on
the stool and looking miserable.
Dian Gopal appeared in the up
per hall with q pass key that
would open her bedroom door, and
Linda went inside.
When she entered the parlor
again she was wearing q plain
wooden sport frock, q small felt
hat and tan tweed coat. Ready"
she said crisply to the man.
They went out OF the house to-
geEher. 1--WE got one of the
county cars down here he said.
It's sedan-With curtains She
nodded, her lips visiting bitterly.
In the car, she would not let him
draw down the curtains.
They went into the court house
Just as the bells In the campani1e
struck nine. Their sweet, tar
away notes seemed to Linda to be
q farewell call from the leisurely.
collegiate world she used to live
In. They brought back golden
September afternoons in the holly
hook garden, and campus walks
through paths ankle deep in dry
red leaves. They brought back
that pig chase of Toms and the
bright, streaming crowds on foot
ball Saturdays and
She stepped into the county at
torney's office. The man in blue
stepped after her. Here she is"
he said. with touch Of pride,
addressing the gray-haired man
ut the worm-eaten desk. He
might have been exhibiting a
brace of wild Mallards or ten
pound bass.
Linda blushed in spite of her.
self. But she raised fearless
brown eyes to- the county attor-
ney's face and stood silent, forcing
him to make the first move.
He did it, reluctantly. He
pushed forward a chair, and,
though he did not rise to greet
her, his manner was not unfriend-
ly. The man in blue seemed in
clined to .linger. "You may go,
Deputy Jones'" said the county
attorney.
So the blueclad man had not
been merely a messenger pressed
into service. but an officer OF the
law. empowered to arrest as. well
nas to request. Linda's head went
higher. But her lips were pitiful.
When the deputy was gone
isJohnson turned to her. Il asked
you to come down to see me be-
cause there are some questions
which we feel you may be able
TO clear up for US. I hope you
do not interpret the move as
inimica1."
Perhaps he did really hope it,
but his voice indicated superb in.
difference to her Interpretation.
Linda did not answer. Don't
talk" Tom had said: don't talk