Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-01-04
CHAPTER LII

Byrd tossed all night long on her
hard. lumpy bed. She couldn't put
the thought OF Larry out Of her
mind. The same picture repeated
itself ~endlessly all night long-Larry
and Jeck arrested and indicted by a
grand jury on a charge OF embez-
element and misrepresentation Of
funds and tried before a jury and
sent to the ~penitentiary. The news
papers with their glazing headlines.
Toward morning Byrd could stand
il no longer. Her thoughts bit into
her soul like vicious animals. She
got up and dressed. The room look
ed more th~readbare and sordid than
usual.
II was very early. 50 she washed
out several pairs of stockings and
sewed fresh collar and cuffs onto
her blue silk which she wore at the
bank. She manicured her nails until
they looked like headlights.
In spite Of her. a worry appeared
and reappeared like a single fly buzz
zinr about her head.
She simply had II put Larry out
Of her mind. u was ridiculous to
20 on worrying about him. She
knew she didn't give a whooD about
him now, or course she didn't
As Byrd was finishing her break
fast with last nights newspaper
stuck up on the dresser before her,
she glanced out Of the window.
There was Martin, sitting patient
~ in his acr.
II was n funny car. for Martin
had assembled it himself. II looked
like a poor relation with an ircon-
Eruous gift or two from some rich
relative. Battered Tenders, but two
elegant lamps. He called il the
"Ashcan." On the radiator spout
there dangled a card which Rad:
think no wyou'd look without any
paint"
Byrd had to smile. She felt years
older than Martin. although ~actually
she supposed he was older than she.
Without realizing that she was
hurrying or that she really intended
to ride down with him, she put the
newspaper aside and thrust her tray
outside the door and got into her
hat and coat.
She was downstairs in a few min
utes.
She started determinedly down
the street.
"Say, you there called Martins
"T'm going to meet someone" lied
Byrd. Il can't ride with ,ou this
morning. thank you"
Room for three in my limousine"
grinned Martin. starting his motor
and driving slowly along the curb
while he argued with her.
So in the end Byrd climbed into
the car.
II don't want you hanging around
every morning waiting for me- she
stormed. "People1l begin to talk. !
just won't have It'll"
my. you can be %peppervl" he
smiled, admiringly. "But I like you
that wayi"
They quarreled all the way down
town.
You're cross as two sticks this
morning" admitted Martin. Some
things worrying YOU" he added. with
sudden penetration. "People always
feel better If they talk about their
troubles"
you'll just add TO mine il you
keep talking to me- replied Byrd,
GROSSLY.
They were approaching the bank
Martin stopped his car with
out a word. and Byrd got out.
With her head high in the mir, she
trotted up the steps. never glancing
back. But she didn't hear his car
start off.
But in two minutes Martin was out
Of her mind and she was thinking
OF Larry again.
She finished the letters piled high
on her desk before she saw Mr.. Polk.
"An awful mess Larry's in. isn't
it?" she smiled wanly. as she laid
the letters on his desk.
Mr.. Polk looked at her pointedly.
He observed the white face. tired
eyes ard heavy lines that might have
been drawn with an indelihle pencil
around them.
You're worrying more than the
whole kit and cahoodle Of them he
said crisnlv. - Won let Lar
rvs affairs c~a-- ~ upset YOU
znT t. biu fnravalI-