The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-09-01

Rut at the Office virginia .
desk wasn't near Judith'S,hr Busy
with her own work. she didn't see
how many times Judith Howard
stopped tvping and stared into
space. She didn't notice how
many times Judith stopped her
busy fingers to make erasures, OF
to snatch out tie sheets and car
bon and begin anew.
Steve tclephoned just before
noon end asked her to lunch. 81
i can't do it, judith faltered.
tive some extra work to do"
"Then I'll call you tonight, "
Steve told her.
"It won't do any good, Steve"
Pm willing to take the
chance"
She was glad when Virginia
suggested that they telephone Bob
and plan to stay downtown for
dinner. 1t would help her to for
get Steve.
Bob might like to bring along
Jerry Nacklin. He's in Bob's of
flee, and you'd like him, Judith. "
Judith shook her head. "Pd ra-
Their ne wouldn't, Virginia. l don't
quite feel up to meeting anyone
new"
"Just as you say, darling. But
I want you to know I'm not going
TO let YOU stay in mourning in
definitely" ,.,, ;.
The trio met in a little Italian
restaurant which was favorite
Of Bob's. There they struggled
with spaghetti in fascinating and
unbroken strands, while the Bents
did their best to keep Judith,s
spirits high. Aided by the deli
cious food and the carefree at
mosphere of the place, they sue
ceeded fairly we'll.
GLOW about a movie?" Bob sug-
gested. ,, ,..,
"You and Virginia CO." Judith
said "Pm a little tired. And af-
ter all this food I'm afraid I'd go
to sleep in the theater:"
"Sure you'll be all right" Elr-
ginia wanted to know when Bob
left the booth to pay the check.
Judith smiled. "Of course"
But although the street car was
SToJ Judith felt somehow lonely
without Bob and Virginia. Or was
it the Bents she missed! WASH I
it Steve Fowler for whom she was
lonely? Steve who had somehow
been with her always. and now
had been sent away? Judith Won
dered, tried to analyze her own
strange feelings. He had said ne
would telephone tonight; and as
Judith remembered this she real
lied that if Steve failed to keep
his promise she would be disap-
pointed. She would wonder why
he hadn't kept it. women are
such fools" she thought bitterly,
and tried to divert her mind by
watching the people in the ca
But down at the far end her eyes
encountered a young couple OBJ
livious to the world - a young
couple so patiently in love that fol-
each of them nothing, no one, eX,
listed except the other. 81 sup,
pose Steve and l must have looked
like that" she thought. 81 sup
pose that some time or other
some diSillusioned girl must have
watched US just as | am watching
these two now"
She was glad when the cal
reached her street, glad when she
could flee to the privacy of hel
own room. Once there she bathed
her face and hands, then tried to
read. But although she followed
the words, they meant nothing
meant no more than if the pages
had been blank.
Suddenly the telephone rang,
sending Judith's heart into her
throat. Without thinking, with
out self-debate, she took up the
instrument and answered. 1t was
Steve.
give been trying to reach you
for the last hour" he said.
81 had dinner downtown with
Bob and Virginia.
"Still writing your rules of con-
duct, are they?" asked Steve bit
terly.
Judith caught her breath. at
won't do any good to be angry,
Steve. Why can't you make 1t
easy for me? L"
make it easy for you to throw
me down? Not on your life! Ju-
dith, I'm coming over. I'm going