The Washington times., 1937-12-24
60 ON WITH THE STORY

protested as though Rene were
not present.
"Well, he's doing the best mag
azine covers made in this country
today!"
IT said he was a fine painter,
Marty!" Wild persisted.
Lynn, watching Rene, saw him
finch. It had never occurred to
Lynn that Rene might hate doing
the magazine stuff. Suddenly
she realized quite clearly, as
though he had spoken.
We'll forget about that"
Rene's voice was harsh. 1--WE had
enough Of poverty and so has
Lynn. That's over"
There is poverty and poverty"
Wild replied.
1t was odd that Wild, meeting
Rene for the first time, could
know what she did not know
about him, seeing him work 90
many hours! Lynn sat silent,
shocked by her discovery. Rene
was doing all this for her, to
buy her freedom for her. Rens
turned impatiently, he did not
look at Lynn, and handed his
glass for another drink.
when there's money enough
I'm going to Rome, and Florence,
just so know Lynn is all right"
Shortly afterward Marty and
Wild took their leave. Rene asked
Wild m nOI1oa a00iYa
1--WE some other things I'd like
you to See."
If you mean it, I'd be glad to
come" Wild replied, and Lynn,
standing there, felt helpless and
desperate, as though she wanred
to cry out to Wild to stay away,
to leave them alone.
Marty had asked Lynn to come
to them, but Lynn refused. "1f I
don't stay Rene won't eat. He's
difficult to manage, and he's not
any too strong yet, you know"
What Marty did not know was
that Lynn was to meet Wild
later. AS the two men left, Wild
looked thoughtful.
Hes a queer duck" Marty re.
marked as they got into Wild's
car.
He's clever, and mean 1t when
I say he has fine talent, too good
for your damned magazine"
Back in the studio the depart.
ure Of the two men left q strained
silence. Lynn turned to the little
kitchenette to prepare something
for Rene.
go along. I'm not hungry now.
I'll get something later!" Rene's
voice was brusque.
What nonsense! OF course.
you're going to have your supper"
She was busy making a salad.
Rene came over to her and took
the fork out of her hands.
RENE DISTURBED
Look at me, Lynn. Is Austin
in love with you?"
"Of course, not, Rene"
You'd tell me If you were. You
promised"
"Of course I'd tell you"
Rene walked restleSsly about
the studio as Lynn went back to
her work. He went over and
looked down at the painting he
had done Of Lynn. It was good,
and Austin had known immedi.
ately. Just as he, Rene, had
known.
When Lynn had his supper
ready, he could not eat much. But
she sat across from him, Just as
she had in the old trailer DAYS.
and Rene was happy for a little.
Lynn tried not to watch the clock.
She knew Wild would be waiting
at 9.
AT last. she got away, I'm
conscious Of the misery in Renes
eyes. She ran down the long
flight of stairs, breathless when
she got into the street.
Il thought you were never com.
Ing" Wild said as he opened the
car door. Where to?"
ut doesn't matter!" Lynn's
voice was gay. She was with Wild
and quite happy, so the evening
passed.
LYNN is TROUBLED
Lynn, once she was In her room
alone, did not turn on the light,
but went to the window and sat
down before it. There in her
, shabby little room life had seemed
pretty wonderful. to her. There
haG seemed some security. To-
|, night, she was troubled. Some
thing in Renes face worried her.
He looked very iii. He was work.
ing too hard. But it seemed more
than that.
She got ready for bed, there In
the dark, and tried to compose
herself, but she could not sleep.
1--WE been living in a kind Of
FOOLS paradise. It's got to stop"
Lynn through the long night
hours made a decision. To begin
with, she'd stop seeing Wild. 1t
was foolish to keep on. For after
all. it was just her pride. She
liked all that attention. She cared
nothing about him. just what he
stood for.