Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-05-30

20 O.HsNiLIlAN9
crs5o Nv VIA srruer wa
rising 20 her delicate cheeks. There
was 4 grease spot on his white
vest, and the collar or his coat was
lightly powdered with dandruff
Dinner was half over, but he stiEl
ate AZ eagerly as at the beginning.
Linda thought: with all this hor-
ror about him, he still has the pow
er 10 insult me-"
Come, come" ne urged, reading
her open look, II was only joking.
Ill stir Stevens up tomorrow. He
must have been very busy and
overlooked your small account
Don't be offended. my dear"
This was the way he always re-
treated. She knew AZ was false
ground. but she was glad to stand
upon II, so strongly had the habit
Of ignoring facts grown upon her.
Dinner was M but they sat for
n long while over their coffee. Lin
On had chosen a popular restaurant
where they were sure 10 be seen
and recognized. she had never per-
mltted her relations with Converse
% become surreptitious. When the
dancing floor filed, she was con-
Stantly smiling or nOdding AZ ONE
body she knew. The music was
good, and she tapped the floor with
the toe ~ her slipper I'm "a little
secret harmony.
Il wish I could dance with you,
my dear" said the senator in
stantly.
"Oh. no. She said hastily. and
he smiled with wry understanding
that made her almost sorry for
him. 1T IS almost time 10 co. she
added. more gently.
Your trip west has changed
you" he said presently after one
Of those ObseFvant sllences. He
was disappointed. Almost at once
he had sensed something about her
some experience that removed
her farther from him, though here
she was. asking for money i'm that
foolish guarded way that every time
brought her tluttering closer to his
hand.
He frowned. He had not expect
ed this. For a long time he had
watched for the collapse of Lnda's
defenses. He knew that as women
grow older they become less H.
customary and more experimental.
Linda's experience had been ex-
traordinary; her wells had been
shorn from her quickly and until
tonight he had been secure in the
belief that she would soon turn Co
him from her fallen idols. He was
quite ready to accept her ~ she
was-a little bruised, tie freshness
and innocence OF her beauty pol
ished to hard surfaces. HIS phi
losophy or love was that a woman
who has suffered and grown wise I'm
far safer 10 hang Jewels upon rhmn
one who merely suffers ln wearing
them.
Linda denied change. Nothing
has happened" she said
II will telephone Stevens tomcr-
row." promised Converse. He made
a motion to rise. He hated reStau-
rants with their glitter and EaIety
and smart young men and women.
But Linda was watching a young
man who was making his way
through the throng OK dancers Ia
where she sat. Her expression was
very strange. The senator, ana
lying IL, discovered surprise, low.
chagrin and something else new tn
him-shame and embarrassment.
Puzzled he followed her own eyes
and beheld "a familiar face.
"Toung AnsteyT" he exclaimed.
What Do you know himf"
Linda held out her hand aa
Brian reached them. "What M
strange encounter If ANYTHING
could be strange in New York ~
she exclaimed. Her eyelIds fur
tered and fell beneath his gaze but
he held her hand closely and saiR
nothing.
The senator coughed. GT had n@
idea you two were friends
Brian laughed and the tension
was broken. Il can only claim n
day in Mrs. Roth'E life"
Linda saw she must explain. Sha
found it difficult TO control her
voice. Little waves or excitement
raced through her as Brlan's hand
touched hers and coupled with this
was something cold and sodden
like a manacle upon her wrist.
Mr.. Anstey was on INV train
when IL was delayed IN the now y
she said briefly. "He was kind. ana
helped me through On unpleasant
situation"
The young man flushed. please
Mrs. Roth"
Go BE C~ONTTNUEDl