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

&N080 ~ = 8&fNNh~@ ANt@As
rising 90 her delicate cheeks. There
was u grease spot OF his white
vest and the collar OF his coat was
lightly powdered with dandruf
Dinner was half over. but he stin
ate as eagerly as nc the beginning.
Linda thought: with all this hcr-
o about him. he still has the pow
er to insult me"
"Come. COME he urged, reading
her open look. II was only Joking
Ill stir Stevens UP tomorrow. He
must have been very busy ana
overlooked your small account.
Don't be offended. my dear"
This was the way he always re-
treated. She knew IL was false
ground. but she was glad 10 stand
upon II. 50 strongly had the habit
OF ignoring facts grown upon her.
Dinner vas over but they sat for
n long while over their coffee. Lin
da had chosen a popular restaurant
where they were sure TO be seen
and recognized. She had never per-
mitted her relations with Converse
10 become surreptitious. When the
dancing floor filed. she was con-
stantly smiling or nodding at some
body she knew. The music was
good. and she tapped the floor with
the toe or her slipper In n little
secret harmony.
II wish I could dance with you.
my dear" said the senator in
sfantly.
"Oh. no." she said hastily, and
he smiled with wry understanding
that made her almost sorry for
him. 1T H. almost time 10 90" she
added. more gently.
your trip west has changed
you," he said presently after one
Of those observant silences. He
was disappointed. Almost mt once
he had Sensed something about her
some experience that removed
her farther from him. though here
she was, asking for money in 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
d~efenses. He knew that as women
grow older thew become less IT.
visionary and Or 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 to
him from her fallen idols. He was
quite ready To accept her as sha
was-a little bruised, the freshness
and innocence Of her beauty pol
iShed 10 hard surfaces. His phi
losophy OF love was that a woman
who has suffered and grown wise is
far safer 20 hang jewels upon than
n who merely suffers ln wearing
them.
Linda denied change. "Nothing
has happened" she said.
Il will telephone Stevens tomor-
row." promised Converse. lie made
n motion 10 rise. He hated restau-
rants with their glitter and gaIety
and smart young men and women.
But Linda was watching a young
man who was making his way
through the throng OF dancers 10
where she sat. Her expression was
very strange. The senator, ana
lying II, discovered surprise, joy.
chagrin and something else new to
him-shame and embarrassment.
Puzzled he followed her own ewes
and beheld "a familiar face.
Young AnstevT" he exclaimed,
What Do you know himY"
Linda held out her hand az
Brian reached them. what a
strange encounter If anything
could be strange in New York ~
she exclaimed. Her eyeIfds fIut-
tered and fell beneath his gaze but
he held her hand closely and saiS
nothing.
The senator coughed. IL had ma
idea you two were friends"
Brian laughed and the tension
was broken. II can only claim N
day in Mrs. Roth's life"
Linda saw she must explain. She
found IL difficult 10 control her
voice. Little waves or excitement
raced through her as Brian's hand
touched hers and coupled with this
was something cold and sodGen
like a manacle upon her wrist.
"Mr. Anstey was on my train
when It was delayed in the now
she said briefly. HE was kind. NINA
helped me through on unpleasant
situation"
The young man flushed. "Please
Mrs. Roth"
ii Go BE CONTINUEDN