The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-05-16
By Marie BLIZZARD
Q iqo6 NEA Service. Inc

Thorne from her. knew that she
and Thorne had spent the night
there.
T linda had to know how.
IL She had to find Thorne. She
telephoned his home, the studio, his
clubs. AT last she learned he was
at Santa Monica, and could not be
reached. Linda knew that she must
discover if he were responsible, and
make him stop the rumors.
Perhaps Honey was the only one
who knew. and if Honey did talk
what weight would her stories
carry? Her listeners would be wise
enough to know that the gossip
was malicious and remember that
Linda had been a rival of the be-
loved star on more than one occa-
sion.
But if she thought Honey was
the only one to talk about her,
Linda was mistaken. The girls in
Hollywood were no different from
the girls in Newtown, Keokuk, Des
MONIES or any other place where
one popular girl, lacking a free and
easy manner, is often mistaken for
Snob. Since Linda gave little
thought to people who did not in
terest her, it had not occurred to
her that they might have been
thinking of her. Or that they would
be only too glad to pounce on a
fallen angel. Or that casting first
stones was a form of entertainment.
Z STER ROWELL, the famous old
- character actress, was one of
Linda's best friends, and it was
from her that Linda again heard
about the night she wanted never to
remember again.
I don't believe a word of it."
Mrs. Rowell told her. "Or, if it is
true that you spent the night with
Ihorne, am sure the circumstances
were accidental and entirely in
nocent. don't think you are fool
IN any way. And I don't think YOU
have bad taste. Don't make any
explanation to me if you don't wish
TO, but if it isn't true, you mlust
stop it. I've been hearing it about.
and 1t is my impression that Thorne
started it himself"
ct isn't true" Linda said through
set lips. And I'm sure it must
nave come from some other source.
l can't imagine Mr.. Thorne giving
any such information. Why, he has
asked me to marry him!"
Men without principle have been
known to do strange things to force
ladies to arrive at proper conclu-
SionS."
I linda couldn't believe that Of
IL Thorne. In her code when a
man thought enough of a woman
to ask her to marry him, he cid not
jeopardize her reputation.
She got in her roadster and drove
to Santa Monica. She found Basil
Thorne lunching on the set, and
asked him to join her in her car.
They drove to deserted spot and
Linda brought the car to a stop
with shrieking brakes. She didn't
waste any words.
Basil, some one knows and has
told that you and I spent that
night in the mountains. I want
you to find out who it is and stop
him by denying the rumor. I beg
you to do this. Besides the obvious
reasons. I have to protect my career.
may lose a contract. This all be-
sides the social and moral aspectsi
OF course you will do it."
so you've decided to marry me?"
he asked softly.
Surprised. she turned to look at
him quickly. He was smiling.
"Of course not. That has MOTH
ing to do with this situation"
But it has," he said patiently.
Surely you must see it that way"
This was new and shocking. A
man willing to blacken a woman's
reputation to force her into marry
ing him!
Ito Re CoufinuadN