White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1930-09-26
CHAPTER Iv-Continued

B.
His allusion to age was mockery.
He was exactly as he had been for
fifteen years-not old, not young. His
ponderous body would not reveal the
time 1t had lived Linda disliked the
smirk with which he always accom-
panied these hypocritical references
to himself.
ut is the penalty you pay for being
my friend" she said in a light, arti-
fetal voice.
The senator received the next course
with pleased air. He was prepared
to enjoy anything that Henri brought,
knowing that soon Linda would be at
his mercy. He could watch her writhe
while she told her trouble and asked
for his aid.
you've seen sable coat you must
have?" he bantered, cor this time It.
is a town car"
She did not trouble to reply. She
knew he was playing with her. They
had talked of sable coats and town
cars long ago, but Linda had not
wanted them badly enough. She
owned very good furs and she could
always buy car.
Their interviews always began with
light fencing; with playful sarcasm
behind which lurked the deadly barb
of reality. If he but once pierced her
shield
II have not heard from Stevens
about the traction stock" she said at
lenr,h i wrote to him in October
but he did not reply" Stevens was
the broker who mysteriously turned
jim Haverhill's Enthusiastically colored
paper into occasional drafts.
Money? Oh, it's merely a matter
of money!" the senator exclaimed.
with an air of relief. "My dear child,
you looked so gloomy really feared it
was something serious this time
Money! How much this timer
She looked at him levelly, color ris-
ing TO her delicate cheeks. There was
a grease spot on his white vest, and
the collar of his coat was lightly pow
derea with dandruff. Dinner was half
over, but he still ate as eagerly as at
the beginning. Linda thought: with
all this horror about him, he still has
the power to insult me-"
"Come. come" he urged, reading her
open look, 81 was only Joking. I'll
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 1t was false
ground, but she was glad to stand
upon it, so strongly had the habit of
ignoring facts grown upon her.
Dinner was over but they sat for
a long while over their coffee. Linda
had chosen a popular restaurant
where they were sure to be seen and
recognized She had never permitted
her relations with Converse to become
surreptitious. When the dancing floor
filed. she was constantly smiling or
nodding at somebody she knew. The
music was good, and she tapped the
floor with the toe of her slipper in q
little secret harmony.
81 wish could dance with you, my
DEAR" said the senator instantly.
ooh, no." she said hastily. and he
smiled with wry understanding that
made her almost sorry for him. ut is
elsnost time to co." she added. more
gently.
"Your trip west has changed you,"
ne said presently after one of those
observant silences He was disap-
pointed Almost at once he had sensed
about her-sOme expert
ence that removed her farther from
him. though here she was. asking for
money in that foolish, guarded way
that every time brought her futtering
closer to his hand.
He frowned He had not expected
This. For long time he had watched
for the collapse of Linda's defenses.
lie knew that as women grow older
hey become less ilusiOnnry and more
Linda's experience had
been extraordinary; her wells had
been shOrn from her quickly and until
lOnight he had been secure In the he.
lief that she would soon turn to him
from her fallen idols. He was quite
ready TO accept her as she was-a
itile bruised. the freshness and limo