Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-02-19

as the old saying has IL, " Is
company, but three is a crowd"
the ~lieutenant's desire for the soft
and balmy' died virtually III It's
pornirg.
While there had been no word
spoken on the subject by either man
since the brief talk III the taXicao,
the heretofore mentioned gentle
mems agreement anent Pat and
the love game second, in some
vay or another. by some sort Of
scientifically mutual understand
ing. to have been elected into the
limbo of discarded things The
barriers, obviously, had been rails
ed: It was now each nan Tor NM
self.
In his character o. a friend, Dr.
Frank Gordon was closer TO Rex
ballard than any other living man
During their few months OF IN
innate association he had come 10
know and like the young doctor
for his many lovable qualities. He
knew that Gordon was what he
called a square shooter" He knew,
too. that IN addition 70 being a
square shooter the other was OF
a generous. broadminded and al
together unselfish nature. III !
az a man who takes real pleasure III
helping others even when the help
Ing entails a sacrifice on his part.
And yet. despite all this and
more DESPITE the fact that ne liked
Gordon above all men and knew
that Gordon liked him, probably.
equally Is well. he told himself as
he watched this triend-rival pass
out Of the cabin with the one GIT
that he wished, most heartily WISH
ed that "the cuss would tall down
and break his neckl'
Rex ballard did not. 0! curse
wish any such thing. He did wish
however. honestly and conscientious
". that the doctor could transfer
/ his affections to some girl other
than Patio Lucy Pine. for in
stance Lucy, Rex was sure. would
make Gordon a wonderful wife
Oddly enough DR.. Frank Gordon,
lust the day before. had told HIM
self almost identically the same
thing only he had named Rex Dali
lard for Lucy.
But Pat-what did she think Of
them? That was the question Rex
was the most disturbed about. In
lust what light was Gordon held he
wondered. In what light was he,
Rex ballard. held by this girl for
whom he stood ready az any mo-
ment, if the need presented itself, 70
give I'D his very life? How aid she
4 consider him? Did She like either
one. Gordon or himself any better
I than the other? She knew OF course
that both Of them were deeply IN
i-,e with her. a woman always
knows whether q man loves her or
me-. IF size cid like one OF them a
Little the best. which was it?
rex had tod himself time with
out number that nothing would ever
induce him 10 ask Pat for Blairs
hand in marriage. she had too much
money. had been MS CRY To himself.
/ Since JlMmy's restoration, however
his ideas had undergone something
OF q revision. Re no longer felt So
determined in regard 70 the money
question. And anyhow that was an
after consideration. The important
question now was: Did she give an
eternal hOot for either OF them, Cor
don or he? If SO. which?
That was the vital consideration
right now. Did she Gaze a t.nkers
darn for either Of them and If 50
which?
He cd Of course ask her. But
would that get him anything-or
anywhere? Wouldn't it be a fool
thing to do-to percipitate matters
by putting such question to her
bluntly-wlthOut any reason what
soever for thinking she cared for
him? II she ever had. OF ever would
give him any sign. any excuse 70
hope, then he would be justified.
But until she did ol.er him some
thing on which to feed a decent
hope. his best plan Of attack. TO use
a soldiers phrase was "watchful
waiting
Having arrived al this very SEN
sible conclusion. Rex felt much bet
ter. And since feeling better vas
equivalent to feeling fit, he felt the
immediate need OF a little exercise
in the open air.
Reaching the main deck he look
cd forward and saw that which both
puzzled and astOnished him. Stand
ing close TO the port rail just oppo-
site the pilot house were Margery
and Jimmy Blair. The latter was
leaning in a careless. perfectly ma
tural mans pose against the rail
and gazing. apparently, straight in
10 the eyes OF the girl, who stood
directly IN front Of him. That which
had struck Rex with such wonder
menJ was the incOntrOVertible fact
that Margery was talking. fast. ear
nestly and directly 10 Jimmy; talk
ing in Just the same manner sht
might have been talking had he
Rex, or DR.. Gordon been standin
IN front OF her instead of Jimmy.
And the latter seemed at the sam
time TO be listening. II was too niue.
Rex assured himself. He moved tc
ward the pair.
You don't mean 10 tell me. Mar
SAIRO'S PHI OcOpuv