New Britain herald., 1928-09-08

disappoint me, somewhat. had
formed a higher opinion of YOU"
Il am glad to know that, Mr.
Armitage. l certainly thought you
had no opinion of me at all when
you tried to buy ME off with a long
stay In Europe"
1T was because you refused that
trip that my opinion changed. Now,
my son tells NE. you are going to
take it with him."
Lynda Fenton arose from the
chair in front of her typewriter
desk. and came and stood in front
Of the man who visibly seemed to
grow older as she came nearer.
CHAPTER LXII
MRS. sTRATTON ACTS QUEERLY
Lynda Fenton was very lovely
the very symbol Of youth and beau
~. Mr. Arn.itage almost looked at
her with awe. He did not wonder
that his son could not resist her
for added to her beauty was a cour-
age and character that he had never
found before in one of the younger
women in whom Ralph had seemed
interested before this. He stirred in
his chair. as he thought that he
would have liked to have had a
grandson who could have called her
mother. He almost cursed himself
Tor interfering in the life of his son
as he had in his first marriage. If
he had left Ralph alone he would
not now be saddled with an insane
wife.
Lynda Fenton stood directly in
front of Ralph Armitage, senior, and
looked him straight in the face.
"What would you do. Mr.. Arm
itage, If you were in the circum-
stances in which I find ! am now
placed?"
Before he could answer she con-
tinued: THAT is. of course, a futile
question. for not by any circum-
stance could you imagine such a
thing. but for once 1 am going to
tell you something about young girls
who must earn their living
Then Lynda Fenton laid her life
bare to Mr.. Armitage.
1T is true" she said, that my ex-
perience may have been different
from others in your employ. bu.
most all of them have to come up
against more or less the same prob
lem. l am sure. Some never realize
that they are making decisions that
will influence their whole lives.
Others will think. What's the use?"
and let it go at that. ! have had
responsibility since l was ten years
old, and even before that, my father
told me his opinion of women. and
said l could not possibly escape my
destiny.
II believe your son loves me. How
long he will love me ! do not know,
but neither can any bride answer
that question with any degree of
certainty.
Long ago. Mr.. Armitage. / de-
termined that / would only give my
self into the keeping of the man
who offered what | considered the
highest price.
Wait Lynda said, quickly, as
Mr.. Armitage was about to speak.
l don't think you quite understand
what l mean by price 1t might
he marriage-it is preferably mar
riage-but you must concede that
your son offers stupendous bar
gain?"
Surely you do not call marriage
a bargain. Miss Fenton?" Mr.. Arm
itage wondered why he had asked
that question. Isn't love the biggest
thing in marriage, and no one will
bargain for love-"
your son has offered me love.
He has offered me everything he
positively can except a marriage
contract"
you do not love my SON.
II am not sure that l know what
love means. l like him very much.
] like him better than anyone OK
cept-" She suddenly stopped. She
was going to say "Davie." The name
must have come unbidden TO her
lips. she told herself.
What of David Kenmore" asked
Mr.. Armitage, as though he read
her thoughts.
"Of course l love David best" she
answered. eagerly. but David Is like
9. brother, part of myself. and he
loves me in the same way that !
love him."
Il confess, Miss Fenton, that you
are conundrum to me, but / am
also finding out that l have some
questions stored up IN my mind
about my own self that ] need some
thought to answer. l suppose my
son mas won, however" He hest
tated a momen, as though he was
going to say more but seemed TO
think better of it and left the room.
AS soon as the door was shut,
Lynda put her head down on her
desk and cried as she never before
had cried in her life.
The day seemed interminable, but
at last Lynda found herself at the
uOUT Vi MTS. STRATUM 5 SlNuIO. i ne
door was opened by the preacher,
herself. For a moment she looked
surprised. as though something had
happened that had com pletely
sponged Lynda Fenton out of her
mind. She looked as though She had
been crying. Her eyes were swollen
and her face was white.
Child" she said. why did you
come to sec me today?"
You asked me to. Mrs. Stratton.' -
The woman put her hands to her
head as though TO bring back her
mind. which evidently refused to re
member any engagement.
Something has happened" ex-
claimed Lynda. Cant | help you
If not, | win come again"
Mrs. Stratton was silent. while her
face became. if possible, NOR"
drawn and stricken. At last she put
her hands on the shoulders of the