Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1938-01-27
WITH BANNERS

of life? OF course she would 60. She
had flown to Palm Beach at the ex-
pense of Carston's Inc. She would
take bus in return on her own. She
would 60 tonight, 60 on to a new
adventure in living.
Tingling with excitement, she tel
! ephoned for a reservation on the
night bus; packed small trunk to
be sent by express; folded her sill
yer evening frock and accessories
into the air luggage suitcase which
Carston's Inc. had provided. She
would want the gala clothes for the
premiere-thrilling thought. She
laid out an amethyst tweed suit
with crimson scarf and beret, to
wear on the journey. It would be
cold when she reached New York.
All ready and somewhere to 60!
She glanced at the clock. There
was time for a swim before she
started for the style-show. It would
set her up and refresh her. She
must look her best for her positively
last Palm Beach appearance.
She slipped into the white water
frock and caught up a beach coat.
Life was gloriously worth while
even if the man one loved did think
one a "schemer," she told herself,
as she ran down the steps which
led to the patio.
She was humning a snatch of
gay song as she crossed the strip
of yellow sand sleeping in golden
sunlight which the march of fash
ion had left behind. Arms extend
ed, she slid into the sparkling wa
ter. 1t parted. Buoyant, foamy,
it closed over her. Marvellous feel
ing This would stabilize her mind,
drown haunting memories. She
swan with quick strokes, turned,
f1oated, came back arm over arm,
and, dripping with GOODNESS, waded
out to the shore.
A man rose from the shadow of
the dark hibiscus hedge outside the
patio. It's scarlet flowers seemed
to nod at her in amused .derision
as she stopped in surprise. Mark
Trent! This was the cue for cool
sophistication.
He held out the beach coat she
had dropped on the sand.
"Put this on, Brooke. Let's sit
here. I want to talk to you and we
may be interrupted inside"
"How did you know where /
was?"
GIVE been playing round with Lu-
cette, more or less. Saw Sam when
I came through New York"
"Sam! How was he?"
"Nerves taut as violin strings,
otherwise in great shape"
"When does his play open?"
"Day after tomorrow"
$50 soon!"
"Why that sudden look of hor-
ror?"
ut wasn't horror, it was-I've lost
my job and had planned to leave
here tonight by bus, but travelling
that way I can't possibly make New
York in time for the premiere of
islands Arise"
''I know that you've lost your job.
l had a talk with your boss before
I left the city. He agreed with me
that you shouldn't miss the opening
of SAINTS play"
"You eansthatgyou told him to
fire me? What right have you to in
terfere in my 1ife?"
THE right of sort of guardian;
didn't Aunt Mary Amanda so re-
quest in that last will?" Eyes on a
pelican fishing in shallow water, he
accused:
"You haven't answered Jed's let
tiers notifying you that the amount
of income you had been receiving
from my aunt's estate would be de-
posted monthly to your account as
usual. I had to come to find out
if you had received them" il
Brooke sprang to her feet. Her
beach coat slipped off. Slim and
golden-skinned in her white water
frock, she dug pink toes into the
hot sand.
II didn't answer because you both
know without being told that won't
touch that money"
Mark Trent doomed over her.
"Put this on again." he command
ed grirnly. ''Why won't you touch
that money!"
Brooke thrust her arms into the
beach coat he held and stuck her
unsteady hands into the pockets.
would you take cent of Mary
Amanda Danes when I thought it
mine? Didn't you say il. that snobby
voice of yours the afternoon we met
in Jed Stewards office:
Hope you'll enjoy the house and
fortune Miss Reyburn.' Now it's
my turn:
81 hope you'll enjoy the house
and fortune Mr.. Trent. I'm sure
Daphne Field will be crazy about
| it,"
"Daphne!" He caught her wrist
in grip which hurt. 'Where did
you get that crazy idea?"
How crude. how unbelievably
crude she had been to mention
Daphne's name, Brooke accused
herself holly. But, having blum
dered, she'd better see it through
with the light touch.