The Washington times., 1938-01-14

who does"
He went on and on. Every de-
tail of Helen Austin's struggle to
keep her son with her was re-
counted.
Mortimer's eyes were hard as
they watched Lynn. You're going
to do your duty, no matter how it
hurts. It's the only decent thing
to do. We can't let them get away
with it!"
Lynn sat with her face covered.
She could see the fight stretching
on and on. How we'll she knew the
AustinS would never stop until
they had Buddy! She flung out
her hands:
Cant you make them make it
all up? Can't you use your influ-
ence to get them together?"
How can 1? He won't even talk
to me! He's bitter and under the
influence of his family. If he had
any idea of where Mrs. Austin is,
he'd get that child If it took a
company of State troopersI I
don't trust them. They'd agree to
conciliate and they'd double-croSs.
I know them"
Mortimer kept her there three
hours without dinner. She gave a
detailed statement of her life with
Mrs. Austin, five months she spent
with the woman and her son in
the trailer.
you've given me some bad
moments, Miss Morrow" Mortimer
remarked when the statement was
finished at last.
I'LL have some sandwiches sent
in while my girl is tipping the
thing. I don't want to take any
chances. Now while we're waiting,
you write out in longhand, some
Of the things that happened"
He watched Lynn's blonde head
bent over the paper at his desk
and smiled in triumph. Shed go
through with it, he was sure now!
1T will be worth your while,
Miss Morrow"
Lynn dropped her pencil as he
spoke. What I am doing, am
doing because I must tell the
truth! Understand that. I don't
want your money! I couldn't take
it." She was furious at the imp1i-
cation in his voice. "All this Is
terrible for me! You must know
that. But as you say can't do
anything else!" Tears treInbled on
her long lashes, and her odd gold
flecked eyes were swimming.
She went home without eating
any dinner, sat alone in her apart
ment thinking and thinking. She
went over and over the situation,
She read every line of the account
OF the child custody fight in all
the papers. Then she threw them
on to the floor.
1t was terrible! There was M
doubt that she must remain loval
to Helen Austin. She paced I'D
and down the room, trying to see
her way clear. She must see Chuck
and talk to him. That was the
only way. She must! No matter
what Mr.. Mortimer said. Chuck
would listen to her. He had to!
She dressed again and went out
TO the drug store to telephone to
him, but he was not at Austin
Manor.
In the morning I'll try" she
promised herself. Then she fell
into a drugged sleep.
LYNN PLANS TO SEE CHUCK
Next morning Lynn dressed with
unusual care for work. She was
early, SO eager and so nervous over
what the day might bring that
she could eat no breakfast.
During the morning she man.
aged to find time to telephone
Chuck, but she could not reach
him. What she did not know was
that every newSpaperman in town
was also trying to find Charley
Austin.
At noon she went to his office.
When she walked into the recep-
ton room the clerk on duty
Strengthened. Lynn was a breath.
taking sight in her lovely clothes,
She smiled and asked for Mr..
Austin.
"Mr. Charles, jr.," she added.
1t Is a personal call"
I'm sorry, but he's out of the
city"
Lynn's face clouded. She must
reach him. Something in the
clerks eyes told her the truth.
May I leave a little note for
him?"
Certainly. We'll be glad to for.
ward it,"
Lynn wrote hurriedly: please
see me, Chuck, as soon as you can,
1t is terribly important to me. I'm
working at Nine. Reanoud's for
two weeks" Then Lynn turned to
the secretary: This is very i'm
portant to me. Will you please see
that Mr.. Austin gets it as soon
as possible?"
She went back to the shop, wait
ing and hoping that he might tele-
phone. There was no word.
The next afternoon when Lynn
had about given up in despair,
Chuck telephoned to her. It was
a long-diStance call from Florida.
I got your note, air-mailed to
me here, Lynn. what's wrong?"
"Oh, Chuck, I've got to see you'll"
Are you in trouble?"