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

as the OLD saying mas ~, 1NO -
company, but three Is a crowd,
the ~lieutenant's desire for the soft
and balmy' died virtually in It's
borning.
While there had been no word
spoken on the subject by either man
since the brief talk i'll the taXicao,
the heretofore mentioned gentle
mems agreement" anent Pat and
the love game" second, IN some
way or another, by some sort Of
te~lepathirally mutual understand
ing. to have been elected into the
limbo OF discarded things. The
barriers, obviously, had been rails
ed; II was now each man Tor him
self.
In his character OF 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 ne
called a square shooter" He knew,
too. that in addition TO being a
square shooter" the other was OF
a generous, broadminded and al
together unselfish nature. the kind
Of a man who takes real pleasure III
helping others even when the help
ing entails a sacrifice on his part.
And vet. despite all this and
more. despite the fact that he liked
Gordon above all men and knew
that Gordon liked him, probably,
equally as well, he told himself as
he watched this friend-rival pass
out of the cabin with the zone girl
that he wished. most heartily wish
ed that 1.-The cuss would tall down
and break his neckl"
Rex ballard did not. Of course
wish any such thing. He did wish.
however, honestly and conscientious
ly, that the doctor could transfer
his affections TO some girl other
than Patio Lucy Pine. for u
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 Dal-
lard for Lucy.
But Pat--what did she think OF
them? That was the question Rex
was the most disturbed about. In
Just what light was Gordon held he
wondered. In what light was he,
Rex ballard, held by this girl for
whom he stood ready at any mo-
ment, if the need presented itself, 70
give up his very life? How did she
consider him? Did She like either
one Gordon or himself any better
than the other? She knew Of course
that both Of them were deeply IN
love with her. A woman always
knows whether a man loves her or
not. If she cid like one Of them q
little the best. which was il?
Rex had told himself time with
out number that nothing would ever
induce him to ask Pat for Blair's
hand in marriage. She had too much
money, had been his cry TO himself.
Since Jimmy's restoration, however
his ideas had undergone something
of a revision. He no longer felt SO
determined III regard TO the money
question. And anyhow that was an
| dllGI GOAASAAEA aAAOAA. 4AAC A4AAltgA NAAAN
question now was: Did she give ar
eternal boot for either Of them, Cor
don or he? II SO. which?
That was the vital consideration
right now. Did she care a tlnker's
darn for either Of them and If 50
which?
He cc@ld 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-without any reason what
soever for thinking she cared for
him? If she eve had, or eve would
give him any sign. any excuse TO
hope, then he would be justified.
But until she did offer 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 at this very SEN
sible conclusion, Rex felt much bet
ter. And since feeling better was
equivalent to feeling fit, he felt the
immediate need OF a little exercise
in the open air.
Reaching the main deck he look
ed 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
ment was the incontrovertible fact
that Margery was talking. fast, EAR
nestly and directly to 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 same
time 10 be listening. 1t was too mucl
Rex assured himself. He moved 10
ward the pair.
you don't mean TO tell me, Mar