The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-09-09
CHAPTER XII

In the days that followed, I'll
newspapers were full of the pc
htieal scandal which had involved
Steve. For months there mad beer
rumOrs of graft in that admins
tration, and now the lid was OH
Slowly and carefully the newSpa
pers had been gathering then
facts, determined to rid the town
of corruption in the city hall
and now that the barrage had be
gun they were sparlng nothing
There were columns of testimony
of chargfes mad denialS, and there
were countless photographs. Tt
Judith's mind it seemed that the
newspapers were filled with moth
ing else - and whenever Steve 5
name was mentioned his name
stood out for her as if 1t had been
set in boldface type.
Since the dinner with Eden dar-
ris she had heard nothing from
the Young doctor, and more than
once she wished for MS hghtheart-
ed but sensible counsel. But
through his friend and lawyer,
John Grose, Bob kept her posted
as to the progress of the inveStl-
cation. He assured her that
Steve's position was clear, and
that he was being involved more
as a material witness than any
thing else. But Judith wondered
if Bob could be lying to save her
feelings.
She would never forget the
night that she found Bob Bent
had not been lying. Over and over
she had told herself that once
Steve Fowler was absolved from
blame, it would mean turning
point in her life. During the weeks
of SteveFs trouble she had felt
drawn to him more and more. She
realized now how difficult, how
perhaps impossible, it was for a
woman to forget man when for
four years their lives and hopes
and dreams have been ineXtrlca-
bly interviewer. And on the night
that Steve telephOned eXcitedly,
'I've grand news, Judith, and I'm
on nv way overw she thought to
herself: We were never apart at
all. I've got to face that. We
weren't ever apart.
Within five minutes after the
telephone call, Steve burst into
the apartment without knocking,
rushed to Judith and took her in
his arms. For a long time neither
spoke, but stood clinging to the
other there in the center of the
room. Then Judith drew away
gently and said, "Tell me about 1t,
Steve"
cts Just that Pm relieved of
any part in the thing. You can
read all about it in the paper to-
morrow" He took her in his
arms again. 'The important thing
now is that we're together, Judith.
As far as the company is con-
cerned, the deal is completed, and
/ get my bonus. And | get a raise,
too. We can marry any time, dar-
lingw He held her off at arms
length, his eyes searching her face
How about tonight"
ooh, not tonight, Steve" Judith
laughed shakily. Il always
wanted a nice wedding, Steve,
with lots of flowers and
and friends"
He kissed her again. "Sure,
darling" His expression grew
triumphantly serious. You see,
Judith. You see how right | was
all along? l kept telling you that
the thing to do was wait, and that
everything would be all right
Eyes" said Judith slowly. "You
were right, Steve"
He took up his hat. ''Ill have
to run along, darling, and get
some sleep. Pm pretty tagged out
after all this tuSSle. Why don't
you let me stop by for you in the
morning and we can have break
fast together?"
"That would be fun, Stephen." "
The door shut behind him, and
Judith stood staring at it, not NOV
ing, her hands clenched at her
sides. =.
Noon the next day, at the lunch
counter in the basement of the
building, Virginia said, "You left
early this morning. My guess is
that YOU had breakfast with
Steve"
eyes. He came to the apartment
last night. BOb's told you what
happened"
Virginia nodded, munching her
sandwich nOncommittally. But she
wondered at Judith Towards dull
voice, the lack of sparkle in her
usually bright blue eyes. Wisely
she gave no oral quality to her
curiosity.
Judith wondered, too, about
herself. And the remainder of the
week, seeing Steve often, she
more and more. She
had believed that slowly her
strangeness with him would pass;
that gradually they would find
each other through the cloud of
their quarrel.
But if Steve recognized her
if he noticed any change,
CICTED MA