Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1936-07-16
CHAPTER 46

WIN HAD said he needed her. OF
all the things he might have said
all of the ways back to her heart he
might have followed. of all the pas
sionate words in the English Ian
guage, he had to choose the only
ones that could have broken through
Joan's shield.
Reason told her that Win never
had need of anyone who could not
help him. He had Beatrice. a
wealthy wife. daughter of a famous
surgeon, a helpmate to guide his
way up the ladder OF success. a So
cial asset. What need could he have
Of her?
Keeping from Julian all the things
that seethed within her, was enough
to occupy her mind that day. Other
wise she might have thought that II
was odd for Sheila to send for Win
when she had her own doctor to
whom she sprofessed complete pro-
fessional devotion.
Sheila telephoned her while she
was taking dictation from Julian.
Hello" said Joan. Zine, thank
you -. SO you've heard? Splen-
did -. no, I'm afraid l can't. MT.
Sloane has enough work to keep me
busy until dinner time. I'll tell
him you telcphoned"
Thus did she dispose of Sheila's
telephone call. So Sheila had heard
that Pierre would recover. Sheila
hadn't said anything to Joan about
asking Win to drop in at her apart
ment that afternoon and she had not
been very anxious for Joan to do So
On the contrary. Joan had the i'm
preston that Sheila had telephoned
to make sure that Joan would not
do so.
Unconsciously she shrugged her
shoulders. What difference did it
make to her who telephOned Win and
asked him to call for whatever rea-
son? Was she going to be n COM
plete little fool at this late day and
think that every woman in the world
found Win as attractive as she did?
Or as unattainabe? She was con-
scious Of the thought that a little
thing like n wife wouldn't stand in
the way of any amatory advances
that the predatory Sheila would care
to make to an attractive young
physician.
Perhaps Pierre's rash act had
taught her a lesson and she was
really i'll.
The next afternoon. while Julian
mapped, Joan dropped by Sheia's
apartment. She found Sheila recln-
ing on her chaise lounge. a picture
in coral chiffon. >
'Well Joan, didn't expect you at
this hour"
"RestingT Joan inquired.
I'LL" Sheila answered. I'm just
about able to get through my per-
formances. Pierre's accident has
shaken me beyond all belief. Last
night 1 thought 1 couldn't get
through my performance"
Already Sheila had dramatized
.Pierre's act into an "accdent".
"Dr. Winsloe told me you had tele-
phoned him."
II had to-, darling. I was afraid
any other doctor might ask me why
was in such state Of collapse. Il
couldn't bear to try to think of any
reason. 1t wasn't necessary to ex-
plain to DR.. Winsloe"
did you find him understanding?
Joan asked and hoped that the note
OF sarcasm was not too pronounced
in her voice.
Charming. Where do you meet
all your charming men?" There was
no throwing Sheila with any sar-
casm. delicate or otherwise.
Hes not one Of my men. He's a
boy from home. He's married,
Sheila. and practically a blushing
bridegroom"
Shela favored her with a quick
glance that said very plainly she
would never have guessed it. She
didn't read the misery in Joan's face.