Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1938-10-19
A +! al! M y! =: s
HELEN WELSHlMER
CHAPTER 46

JUDY GAVE herself to the mer-
rymaking the night of Marjorie's
marriage to Bob. When she tuna-
bled into bed at O'clock, she was
too sleepy to think. She fell asleep
immediately
She did not set the alarm clock.
The next day was Saturday so the
studio would not need her.
She slept until early afternoon,
completely exhausted by the emo
tional tension Of the last few weeks.
She dreamed she was walking down
a long road and Ronald was some
where far ahead. She called, but
he could not hear her. She ran, but
she could not reach him. She walk
ened, then, wondering why she felt
so bewildered and lost.
The cyclorama Of the last few
days came back.
It was raining, furious, flashing
rain, that melted the snow and
hurled its wet streamers through
the windows, soaking the draperies.
Cold air rushed through the WIN
dows, too. The living room looked
tired and gray and cherries.
She closed the windows, turned
up the heat, lighted lamp or two
to add touch Of warmth and
cheer. Then she went into the
bathroom and relaxed in a hot bath.
A cool shower followed. BY the
time she was dressed she felt vital,
awake again.
She decided to put on her rain
coat and brave the storm. It was
not Tar to the cafeteria. There
would be lights and people. and she
didn't want to be alone.
She bought paper and a new
magazine at a news counter that
she passed. The wind whipped her
skirts around her legs. The white
raincoat billowed and swooped in
the drenched air. She clutched her
hat.
She lowered her umbrella. It
was too fragile to combat such a
storm. She herself could, though.
She gloried in it. Here was some
thing tangible to fight.
She sat down to orange juice, hot
rolls and coffee at white-topped
table in corner of the BIZ; cafe
terra. She spread out the paper
and scanned its news as she slipped
the fruit juice. Suddenly the glass
wobbled in her hand, and the
stream of orange liquid made a
thin line across the smooth table.
Ronald's name was jumping up
at her.
She put down the glass and gave
her whole attention to the news.
'Birrell Exonerated in Jury Brib-
ing Charge"
He was free! He would not go
away! His resignation would not
be accepted!
But when had the miracle hap
pened? Who had done it?
She scanned the brief paragraphs.
Ronald had beell the victim of a
crank. The man who gave the
brides had been identified by the
guilty jurors. Another who had
refused the bride spotted him, too.
The mantle man was Gregg Ster-
ling!
So Sterling had been the guilty
party, just as she and Ronald had
dared to believe. She wondered
how his cruel attempt t. injure had
been uncovered. She would not
know until she saw Ronald.
Another note struck its key, clear
and sharp, in the medley of
thoughts that played together in
her curious mind. Ronald had kept
his promise to Abbey. He had not
let any hint of her part In this
scandal creep into the news. Rom
aid was a gentleman. He would
protect any woman, Of course, she
reminded herself. But Abbey had
been recalled to her mind and she
saw the cynical smile on the girls
lips, heard her brittle, hooking
laughter.
Judy finished the rolls and coffee
and went home, scarcely noticing
the storm this time. The rooms
were warmer now. She had an
afternoon with nothing to do. To-