Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-02-03

tisement for Rhoda Mcfarland
She knew who the oma was
now: the woman Martin had tried
TO tell her about last night who'd
been afraid she would answer the
advertisement I'm the paper before
they had time TO take whatever
steps they meant 10 take She
wished she remembered better
what Martin had told her.
Who was the man Claire wanted
10 force TO make things right-"as
far as money could make anything
right? THE Shiny hypocrisy OF
that afterthought turned Rhoda a
bit sick.) Wasn't he most likely
the Mr.. Forster whose advertise
ment she was not on any account
20 answer Wasn't ne the 10. IT,
whom Martin had heard them talk
ing aboutf
Well. n thing was settled. any
how. She'd see Martin and ret the
details all straight before she went
to lunch at the Tip-Top inn. II he
happened 10 be waiting again at
the foot OF the elevated stairs that
would make everything easy.
Martin was waiting nc the foot OF
the elevated stairs. but beyond
that point. everything FRI Rhoda's
program went a. badly a. possible.
20 begin with. she and Babe didn't
come down the stairs but descend
ed at the curb from a Iordly limou-
sine. instead II was Babe who'd
accepted the offered lift. but Rhoda
had on this occasion followed her
companion gladly enough. since
they'd been hurrying and had seen
their elevated train pull out OF the
station Just about n minute before
they got within running distance.
Stopping his car far them must
have been an act OF pure benevo-
lence on the part OF the owner. a
respectable old gentleman with n
beard. AS he sat. he took up most
OF the back seat. and instead OF
moving over he had had them turn
down the two folding chairs 10 ride
in a. pair OF rubber shod canes fin
the corner gave Rhoda the idea he
couldn't move about very easily. HE
asked them where they wanted TO
20, instructed his chauffeur TO drive
them there. and then apparently
forgot all about them. submerging
himself in his morning paper. He
acknowledged their thanks at the
end OF the ride with a gruff. half
embarrassed nod, and that was all
there was to Il.
But when Rhoda turned from
smiling goodby after him to ind
herself standing face 10 face with
Martin, she perceived at once from
his flush and his frown OF annoy
ance that he hadn't liked IL. He
had even the air. she thought, OF
waiting for a justly to be demand
ed explanation. There was one
ready at hand as far as that went.
Shed never have got into that car
IL Babe hadn't already committed
her 10 &C. But she wouldn't have
told Martin that for anything.
Babes contribution didn't help
matters either. She said TO Rhoda,
after tossing q negligent hello to
Martin, "What do you suppose the
old billygoat picked US up for, any
way, making rs sit on those fold.
ing seats all the way? Mostly they
want You to cuddle up a little, no
matter how old they are"
She didn't wait for any answer
from Rhoda, and left them.
I'm glad you happened to be-
here" Rhoda said 10 him IN the
coolest tone she could produce Il
wanted to ask you about the wom-
an you heard talking night before
last at the Alhambra-"
II he'd answered her properly
she'd have forgiven him for look
ing annoyed over the limousine.
She would have told him, when she
got around to II. how 1t had hap
rpened. But he didn't answer her
at an--nashed back at her, instead.
with two questions OF his own.
What's she been doing since last
night7 Was there q letter from her
In that bunch I brought ups;airs?"
It was annoying to have her
thunder stolen like that.
4 don't know" she said. THAT'S
what I'm trying to find out There
was q letter for me from some
one who Aligned herself Claire
Cleveland, and 7 thought she might
be the person you told me about
He asked three questions, all in
a breath.
why did you think she wasg
What did she say she wantedr
Have you got her letter here with
you7"
She answered them. sun tying
TO be cool about e. I'm reverse
order.
! ITO zE CONTINUITY