The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-06-01

be taken care of. II the agree
ment is ever ended by me, and |
promise you on my honor that you
shall have your freedom without
question if you desire it, will
settle substantial amount upon
you. Does the idea appeal to
your" y....
Pats came out of her daze to
ask, What would my duties be-"
Point well taken" said Don,
his lips relaxing into smile.
"Your present duties would be
turned over TO someone else. Nat
urally 4 man doesn't want his
wife to work" The words were
casual but they sent the blood
racing through Pats veins. His
wife, Magic words. If you ac-
cept my proposition you will ac-
company me everywhere | go, to
the theater, to cocktail parties,
dinners, dances, when | go out in
my car you will sit beside me-"
IL See," Pats broke in weakly.
I'm TO be sort of human buff
er
He laughed. THAT sounds bit
harsh but you are right"
but what about me-" she
asked rather wistfully.
IL know the idea sounds grossly
selfish but after all, is 1t? | I'M
derStand you are obliged to work
for your living and this position
| offer would be easier and better
paid. There's one thing - He
stopped and frowned uneaSlly.
"Of course if there is. a man
someone you love y
Someone she loved. Pats heart
almost turned over. The man she
loved was brazenly asking her to
be a fence behind which he might
hide, Il smoke screen for his pro-
lection. But, and the thought
brought little ripples of excite
ment, he was asking her to accept
his name. to live near him, t.
share his life. 1t was something
il was lot.
when would you want me to
do it," she falteled.
"As soon as possible. I've stood
about all | can" he confessed.
Pats spoke slowly. Pm prac.
tically alone in the world. | shall
consider this offer aS an advance
ment and accept on your own
generous terms"
Don looked at her almost fond
IN. You're a wonderful woman"
he said warmly. A darn good
fellow. Would-would YOU marry
me today?"
Something Numbered over Pats
like the wash of waves. "Nh ny
not?" she heard herself saying.
With Sims rs u witness they
signed the legal document AVID
Pats hurried home to change. Don
told her to take 4 fcw things and
they would keep out OF Sipht un-
til the thing blew over. Which
meant the haSty event was not to
b. publicized uHduly. RccSleSs'y
she put on one Of her own dresses:
4 plain little frocE of brushed
wool with 4 da&hing scarf Shr
touched her Fps with crimson and
tilted her hat 'ccO-.inGly.
They drove To Jrr Cv CITY. Pats
wondered if any mirage had
ever been 50 utterly devoid ot TO
nance, so plainly matter OF fact.
" hen il WAS over and she sat be-
side Don in the deeply cushioned
roadster, she had the queer feel
ing of waking from ridiculous
dream OF of being someone she
had never heard of. The only
tangible proof that the thing had
really happened was the circIet Of
diamonds on the third finger of
her left hand.
They drove along the Hudson,
their destination being the unoc-
cupied summer home of one of
Don'S friends. Don talked OF his
play and Pats lost herself in the
evolution of the plot. The fact
that she could not see Don, in all
his youthful splendor, as an eld-
erly wireless operator who had
not seen a woman for 10 years,
made her voice faint recon-
STRANGE.
"But, Mr.. Monterey :" she
began.
"I'm afraid you'll have to drop
the formalities," he laughed.
"You must learn to say your lines
convincingly. Ever think you
could act?" he asked good-natur-
eddy.
Pats hedged. 81 never thought
much about it, she said. But to
herself she added with a little
sigh, Lines within lines. First l
understudied for Trissy; now I'm
Mrs. Monterey. Will | ever be
Pats again." For moment panic
threatened her. Had she COM
pletely lost herself in her devious
roles?"
"I'l have to stop calling you
Miss-er-Warren," Don was say
ing, laughing at himself. And |
hadn't the slightest idea of your
first name until | bought the
license. Let me see-iS it Pris-
cilla?"
Patricia" she told him.
He repeated it several times.
Mustn't forget" he said. 81 sup
pose before people could call
you darling" He said this matter
of-factly but a fire swept over
Pats.
"Well, Wen have a few days to
practice" he said easily, and went
back to the subject of his play.
The house where they were to
spend their strange honeymoon
was large and rambling. An eld-
erly custodian and his wife were
/ -, ohorora Dop opb pats dinp1 in