The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-03
CHAPTETR KY

When Linda heard that name, with it's tender, whimsical assocla- tions, her sudden cry of pain was irrepreSSible.
 Now that the opiate of her shock and deadly weariness had worn of, it was all there with her again -Barry's voice; the laughing caress in his eyes; his arms about her that last evening; the agony of those sleepless nights those worse than sleepless nights when in her dreams she had followed Barrys ill-starred course through cloudy skies.
 The doctor was right. If she were to go on living - and it seemed that she was in spite of the pain at her heart - she must keep herself busy. It didn't matter much how.
 "All right" she said briefly. "But if I'm going to sing tonight, I must get up now"
 So that night again the Villa Abruzzi was darkened to an eX- pectant hush. Then - this was one of Tony's ideas - muted orchestra played very tenderly a few bars of quaint wistful old song. A baritone voice took it up still very softly:
 "Who is Silvia? What is she,
 That all our swains commend
 her
 Holy. fair, and wise is she;
 The heaven such grace did lend
 her
 That she might admired be-"
 Then in a silver frame against the lustrous shadow of black vel vet, the overhead light making a misty halo of her fair hair, was Linda singing.
 "No hot stuff" Tony had in sisted. No operatics! No funny business! Just the quiet, simple little tune that take hold of hearts and twist 'em.'
 So Linda sang T Bring Thee Tales of Araby" - "The Night Has a Thousand Reyes" - the Schubert "Serenade": and when voices in the audience clamored for % Promise Mel" she sang that too.
 And her success was even great CT than the night before.
 Tony strutted like a bantam rooster. People beseiged him for introductions. Tony was sorry so sorry - but Miss Star did not meet people. No, and Miss Star did not pose for pictures or allow herself to be interviewed.
 Most of the newspapermen sub mitted, grinning, to the ruling. It was a good line as long as 1t lasted. They did not think 1t would last long.
 One columnist, Reggie Grimes of the Index-Tabloid, was more per- sistent. He was a fox-like man with a long experience in the theatrical field, and flair for the unexplored. He managed to way lay Linda on her way to her dress ing-room. When she eluded his questions and hurried on with a faint, apologetic smile, he went back furning to Tony.
 Say what's the girls gamer" he demanded. Here I am handing her free publicity on a silver plat ter, and she losses me a smile ana says, Excuse it, please!
 Miss Star does not need any free publicity" said Tony sturdily. fzo I1ol1oI fIn11uhffl11
 After the show that second even- ing, Linda was waiting in the car for Mrs. Campagno - for Tony's sister had insisted that Linda leave her hotel and come to share her own apartment - when man stepped to the door and raised his hat.
 Forgive me-" he asked, "but aren't you or rather, were you not Linda Benton?"
 Linda shrank back; then caught by something familiar in his clipped infections, she faltered, T who are you?"
 "About a week ago, I witnessed a wedding in a town called Nord- hof." The man was choosing ms words carefully. q have a feel ing that you were present, too"
 The chauffeur leaned around from his seat to ask, This guy bothering you, Miss Star"
 "No," said Linda faintly. "No He - he is an old friend. Please, MT. Chadwick, come in here where we can talk"