The Washington times., 1937-12-16

trailer they were both silent. "I
hate to get mixed up in your af-
fairs, children, but you see mother
feels pretty strongly" He turned
severely to Rene. "She's making
you marry her for the girls own
good. My child, you'll be glad
some day you met us and did not
go on your way in sin"
Rene groaned and Lynn did not
dare meet his eyes. In an hour
they were ready and Lowell drove
them to the county clerks office.
Rene was nervous and his hand
shook as he signed his name, and
Lynn had a hard time to keep the
tears back. If only the money
would come. She could run away.
At the telegraph office she went
in and asked tabout wire. The
girl handed it to her. It read:
Report to me Immediately on
arriving in New York. Will pay
you them signed Mortimer.
That was all. And Rene knew
when Lynn walked out of the tele-
graph office with the yellow en-.
velope in her hand what had hap
pened.
CHAPTER VII
Lynn was silent when she
climbed into the back seat Of the
Lowell car. Rene. sitting in front
with Mr.. Lowell, put his hand back
and gave hers q reasSuring
squeeze.
Mr.. Lowell had the license. in his
pocket. He kept pointing out peo-
pies farms to Rene along the
road until Lynn could have
screamed! She still had forlorn
hope of a final appeal to Mrs.
Lowell.
When they got back to the farm
there was a car beside the back
porch.
That's the parson," Lowell said
II want to see Mrs. Lowell, '
Lynn said. Let me talk to her
alone"
Lynn went inside the house and
was introduced to the minister
The Rev. Mr.. Hoffman smiled
pityingly on the erring girl, and
Lynn was wild with a helpless
fury. The kindly old man talked
to her as you might talk to some
one who was very Ill, had just es-
capped death.
May see you just a moment
Mrs. Lovell-before-" Lynn
could not complete the sentence.
Mrs. Lowell, kindly severe, ush.
cred Lynn into her austere bed
room. Lynn, her back to the closed
door, was desperate.
Mrs. Lowell, you don't realize
what you're doing. I don't love
Rene and he doesn't love me!
Please understand that"
Mrs. Lowell looked Mortified. "Ot
course he loves you, my child. ]
know love when I see 1t. When a
man wipes dishes for you, that's
love. Now when was first mar.
r1ed, Mr.. Lowell"
"Please-listen to me. never
saw Rene before until early this
week. I've known him since Mon
day. We're not Sweethearts-"
Mrs. Lowell took off her glasses
and wiped them. It was plain she
was shocked beyond measure.
IF that is the case, my child.
it is certainly a blessing you fell
into my hands. If had an erring
daughter I'd want some good
woman to do the same for mel"
She cleared her throat. There
will come a time when you'll thank
me. I am doing this in the
memory Of the girl I lost!" She
was silent, and, to Lynn's horror,
Mrs. Lowell began a prayer. The
girl felt like a criminal. Mrs.
Lowell came over and kissed her
forehead.
II only pray you'll be happy; not
to have to pay for your sin, my
child"
Lynn had no weapon for such
simple faith. 1t was plain Mrs.
Lowell was going to "save" Lynn If
it was the last thing she ever did.
Slowly Lynn went back into the
sitting room with the older
woman. Rene and Mr.. Lowell were
there now, and the hired man and
the woman from across the road.
Are you ready?" asked the Rev.
Hoffman. "You two stand here. u
In a daZe, Rene and Lynn, each
equally desperate, heard the begin.
ming Of the marriage service. In
the middle Of it Lynn heard Mr..
Lowell whispering to his wife that
he'd got wedding ring at the 10
cent store when he was in town.
Two minutes later it was over and
Lynn had the cheap gold ring on
her left finger.
She caught a glimpse Of Rene's
face and he was furious.
kiss your wife, my son." said
the Rev. Hoffman.
Rene pecked at Lynn's cheek.
Mrs. Lowell was crying into her
pocket handkerchief. She took
Lynn into her arms and wept over
her. Then the Rev. Hoffman read
them a long lecture about moral
ity. He gave Lynn the marriage
certificate. carefully made out,
with a triumphant flourish. 1t
was while all this was going on
that Welks drove into the yard
with their car.