White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1930-11-21
CHAPTER x-continued
wNU Service
copyright by Evelyn Campbell.)

CHAPTER X-Continued
IL
She picked up her fan, her little
satin party bag, giving last look at
her face In the mirror. What was
behind those eyes-fear, unrest, ap-
peal? But with her first question 1t
was gone. She saw herself as she
was, touchingly beautiful with the per-
lection of maturity in the body of
youth. With sweep Of passion she
threw out her arms to her own image.
Happiness was her right. She would
take it now in whatever form 1t came.
Nothing could hold 1t back from her.
Then she made little prayer, 20,
let me be happy!"
She was standing there when the
knock came upon her door.
How strange to see her own face
whiten and whiten; to see her own
eyes widen and grow dark with fear.
Fear that had been at her elbow
through this hour, lurking beyond her
in the corners of the room. Unnamed
fear that her inner self had known Of
and tried to warn her Of, but which
she would not heed. 1t was strange
to watch her own face like this, mark
ing the change of it's emotions as one
would watch strangers face.
"Come in," she said.
The door was not locked. Through
the mirror that she still faced she
saw it slowly open and saw man
standing on the threshold of her room.
He was a short stocky man without
age and without memorable features.
You pass twenty like him any after
noon without seeing one Of them. Yet
there was look Of strength, of re-
sistance about him that made itself
felt through his unremarkable per
sonality. AS he advanced, closing the
door behind him, she retreated Her
arm touched the mass of gardenias
and the contact released burden of
heavy perfume. She heard her name
spoken and murmured:
Eyes, / am Linda Roth"
Brian was waiting for her at the
he would be. He looked at her anx-
iously as if aware of some vague al
iteration in her features. This was not
external for her cheeks were deli
cately colored and her eyes softer and
more brilliant than ever. She smiled
but there was a GOODNESS in her smile
that repealed the warm eagerness of
his greeting
He had waited long time and
neither men nor lovers like to wait.
"You are late Linda"
Her white shoulder moved with an
imperceptible shrug. II found that I
was tired of dancing. / was in half
mind not to come down."
The puzzlement of his eyes deep
ened. That afternoon she had prom
Used to meet him here; it was ar
ranged as if they had passed hours
in the planning, and now-this. With
that faint, incomprehensble smile she
walked with him through the length
of the room to the group where the
presumable hostess was to be found
1t was one of those odd gatherings
where anyone who asks properly for
an invitation may find welcome.
The lady whose name appeared on
the card was shy, bewildered person
In frock that had seemed very fine
at home but was quite lost and effaced
among the frocks of guests whose
names and faces were equally strange
to her. People kept coming and 60
ing while she smiled mechanically.
She did not know who Mrs. Roth was,
or how she came to be there, but she
welcomed her with the rest
Linda saw dozen faces that she
knew and smiled at each of them In
turn-a smile as icy and impersonal
as the hospitality they shared. Then
from the blur Of moving figures she
saw Converse, his face distinct in its
purple outline over the enormous
white expanse of linen spread upon
his breast like shield. AS their
eyes met his own sent shaft OF
malice to meet her impenetrable calm.
She smiled disdainfully. He should not
know even now that she was afraid.
Then the music caught them and
she was moving away in Brian's arms.
for the last time, she thought dream.
lily, threading through the crowd of
unhappy, bored, unexcited couples who
made their way joyously about the
perfect floor to the rhythm of per.
feet orchestra.
Brian's arm held her like steel. She
had remembered IT so well longed for
it againl
"What have l done?" he asked.
But she withdrew herself ever SO
slightly.
He stopped abruptly. They were
near palm-lined ante room and he
drew her inside with an unexpected
determination that controlled her
studied defiance.
This was new Brian. She waited
In silence wondering how she would
do what she had to do. rs 1t neces-