Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1932-06-09

Dennis was the one creature in the
world of whose love she was confident
and SO she had turned to him as half
frozen outcast would turn to the first
fire that CLEANS through the night
She had no regrets-nothing mat
tered
At seven o'clock she sent the maid
for a taxi and put on her cloak. She
would be little early for Dennis, per-
haps, but the silence and memories
of this room worried her-it would
be better to get out and mingle with
the noise and hustle again
She went down to the waiting taxi,
leaving orders about the suitcase. She
did not care if her aunts maids sus-
pected anything; she knew it would
not be the first time she had set them
all talking. 1t was only really genuine
people like Miss Startling and Jonas
who made one feel ashamed
The cab stopped, and commission
aire hurried to open the door. Dennis
had chosen to meet her at this small,
rather unpretentious restaurant be-
cause he said they would be unlikely
to meet anyone they knew, and it was
Diana hrsef who had suggested the
theatre. Its SO long since saw a
play" was the excuse she made, but
that was not the real reason 1t was
because she felt the desperate need or
excitement to help her of stimulant
to give her courage; if Dennis offered
her champagne tonight she would Ger
tainly not refuse. She walked into the
little lounge and sat down by the fire.
1t was very quiet-iust the kind of
place runaway people would choose,
Diana thought cynically.
The swing door moved noiselessly,
and Diana turned. If it was Dennis
Diana stared blankly for moment at
| the woman who came in-stared, and
thought herself mad or dreaming, for
| the woman was Linda Waterman.
She was alone, and their recognition
was mutual before Linda came across
the lounge with easy confidence, beau
tifully gowned and looking young and
untroubled
How strange-that you should be
here She said Dennis tells me you
have been very i'll. hope you are bet
ter"
"Yes-yes, thank you"
Linda held her hands to the warmth
There was a large diamond on one
finger that caught the light and
sparkled into cold white flashes of fire
Diana was very pale, and the vivic
blue of her gown intensified her pal
lor. She was wondering vaguely what
would happen when Dennis arrived
Something seemed to tell her that Of
them all he would he the only one
seriously disturbed With an effort she
forced herself to speak.
did you have good holiday ir
America"
1T was hardly holiday. | had Sc
much business to attend to. DENIM.
hated the was longing to get back
all the time
Her eyes dwelt on Diana's face witt
half amused interest
Are you waiting for him now?' she
asked abruptly.
Diana's lips moved, and she flushee
crimson, but no words would com,
and Linda said with an unconcernet
laugh:
you need not mind telling me j
you are. have not come here to sp,
on you-it's just bad luck that WI
should both have chosen the same rem.
devious. / am waiting for frient
myself
, Il thought you were in Paris" sh
Diana rose to her feet.
stammered, and then wondered why
of all the things she might have said
she should have chosen words tina
were surely an admission.
Linda shrugged her shoulders.
II suppose Dennis told you 500 We'll
wanterd him to believe was goin
to Paris" she said quietly. 1T suitc'
me for him to think so" She laughe,
again. ITS very odd, but it neve
seems to occur to my noble HUSBAND
that perhaps too have my secre
orchard"
She held the hand that wore tn
big diamond and stared at it media
! lively.
I'm rather glad you and have me
3 again" she said Il intended TO writ
to you soon, anyway"
The burning colour rose again I
{ Diana's face-she felt utterly at dis
advantage. Linda was so assured, S
y cool-she Tas sure at last that Lind
S no longer cared for Dennis
l. you need not look SO angry" Den
= miss wife said calmly az kunw yO