The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-26
CHAPTER TX

Aftkluh ul5peCLeQ HcEbe1 CdICAuly in the mirror, and spoke with sharp sarcasm, "WelI, Miss Bourne, you certainly are a fascinating woman. What Is 1t that you have, my girl, that ties men to you with such ut- ter devotion?"
 She gave an angry glance at the old-fashioned clock on the mantel then, and went back to her book. It was the newest best-seller, but, for all the attention she was able to give 1t, it might have been a sta- tistical report of taxes in 1845. The clock struck il and Linda closed her book with a bang. Defi- ritely she was not waiting up. She wouldn't wait until that hour for any man. And what right did Peter P. Gardiner have to treat her 50 rudely? He had distinctly said that he would arrive at o'clock. Ho hadn't. and he hadn't tele- phoned. Very well, he'd never do that again. She could get along very well without him. If she never saw him again it would be all rigftl
 Nevertheless, she went to the front door, opened 1t and peered down the street before she went up- stairs.
 I'm acquiring the bad habit of talking to myself" she said coldly to herself as she mounted the stairs. And then did 1t again. s.Movie starl"
 The movie star," Miss Honey Harmon, appeared clearly in Line da's mind. Miss Honey Harmon gazing adoringly into Pete Gardi- rer's eyes as she snuggled up to him in her car. Linda wished she hadn't seen them that afternoon. Since 1t looked as though Pete were going to be another memory in her life, Linda wished that she hadn't seen him last acting like Q love-sick gchool-boy.
 Of course shed have to see him again, she thought, brushing her hair savagely. She'd have to see him every day at the office. At that moment the Blade, her ca- reer, the limitations of her life, presented Q drab prospect, and she tried to look ahead at what the years might hold for her, True, she hadn't been sure she wanted to marry Pete. She loved him, in a way, but, from the mo- Tnent that she had promised to marry him, she had felt she was doing 1t to make him happy.
 She laughed then, but not very lightly. Make men happy? What was the matter with women? Lir- da was only 20, and the only two men sine had given any affection to had let her down. First Dix and now Pete. The strength of her affection for Pette lay in her belief in his character. And he had gone running of with this blondined little movie actress.
 He was probably holding Honey's hand at the moment and eating up her words, feeling like an irresisti- ble male. Linda wished she lived in in Q world of women.
 Pete Gardiner wasn't eating up Honey Harmons words, but he was hanging on them. What Honey had to say to him this night was the most important thing in his life at the moment. For nearly 10 days since Honey Harmon had come to Newtown, Pete had been dancing attendance on her, and since 5 that afternoon, since he had told her Chat he had 8 play he wanted her to read, he had been waiting for this moment.
 Hadn't Holbein told him to "try Hollywood" with his play? He had nit intended 1t for pictures. but when Fate dropped a golden-haired opportunity, in the person of Honey Harmon, but two inches from his lap, who was he to refuse 1t? It meant everything to him, and everything meant Linda. If Honey liked the play as 8 vehicle for her. self and would but 1t, he could have Linda. There would be money enough to support a wife.
 He tried to talk about 1t in the afternoon and he tried again dur ing dinner and when finally Honey demanded to see the manu- script immediately he brought It forth and forgot to telephone