The Washington times., 1938-01-07

only annoyed.
MY dear! I can't bear to hurt
you. had Harlem wire the county
seat when 1 learned the truth.
Here's the answer"
She took a crumpled telegram
from her handbag, which lay on
her dressing table, and spread it
out.
Somebody's just trying to make
trouble, Mother. Forget it,"
Mrs. Austin shook her head.
mo, Wild, Mr.. Harlem telephoned
back when this message came. 1t
is true"
Wild smiled little, came over
and gave his mother little hug.
Darling, you'd do anything for
Chuck and me, wouldn't you?"
Mrs. Austin faced her tall son
without flinching. "I'd do what !
thought best for you both, always,
Wild. But you had to know this.
1t is true. Your father knows,
WHO"
mo, it isn't true. I don't even
have to ask Lynn. I know!" Wild
was getting angry at her insist.
ence. Il know Rene, and know
Lynn. Rene knows I'm going to
marry her."
Mrs. Austin felt helples. Her
hands were clenched together in
her lap.
Raymond" She never called
him that, only in a crisis. Ray
mond. Look at me. One Of Mr..
Harlen's men found the marriage
license in her apartment today"
Wild stared down at his moth.
erS bent head. Mother! You had
her rooms searched?" He was
unbelieving that she would stoop
so low.
Mrs. Austin raised her head:
II did" She looked her son
straight in the eyes. II did. Wild.
To you that seems dishonorable.
I'd do much more than that for
your safety!"
The hot color came into the
mans cheeks.
"It was there, Wild. I knew
there was something wrong. I
knew when I saw the portrait.
I knew!"
Wild stood there for a long
time, looking unseeingly at his
mother.
Il do not believe it," His voice
sounded unnatural and Mrs. Aus
tins heart beat so hard it hurt.
He said he did not believe, but
at least she had made him listen!
Her boys eyes were hostile. To
her horror she saw almost hatred
in them.
"Wild!" she pleaded.
He looked at his wrist watch.
1t was after midnight. He turned
abruptly and walked to the door
without speaking to her.
Wild" she called after him,
desperate. She could not let him
go like this. She ran out into the
hall and saw the door of his room
open. AS she came to it, painting
for breath, he met her in the
doorway, his hat and coat on.
where are you going?"
ITO Lynn. am going to marry
her tonight"
She tried to take his arm, but
he shook off her touch.
I'm going to her. II you've
lied, I'll never forgive you!" Then
he ran down the wide staircase.
The mother lean ed there
against the wall for long time.
She wanted to go to her husband.
But she did not have the
strength, Feeling her way along
the wall, she went on around the
corridor to his room.
MRS. AUSTIN is ALARMED
Charles! Charles! He heard
her and came running. When he
saw her face. he half carried her
into his sitting room.
Ruth! What is it darling?"
"Wild, he's gone!'
"Gone?"
ITO her!" Mrs. Austin covered
her face with her hands and her
shoulders shook. Charles! He
said he'd never forgive me II il
were not true!" Mrs. Austin's eyes
were gaunt as she looked UP at
her husband.
AS for Wild, he was driving like
madman over the slippery roads
into Manhattan. Grimly he pushed
his foot down on the throttle.
He'd go straight to Lynn and
make her come with him to Mary
land tonight. They'd be married
before morning. He'd show the
family. They could not treat him
as a child. He was bitter at his
mother. To him it was inconceiv
able that she would send detec
tiveS to search Lynn's apartment
1t was shabby and disgusting. Just
because Lynn was poor.
She's a damned sight more
decent than most of the debu
tantes. I can tell them that"
The faster he drove the more
furious. Wild became at hi
mother. How could his father
have been a party to such a
thing?
We'll get on the first boat ano
go to Northern Africa. They car
all 60 hang. won't even see them
before we sail" He felt the whole
thing was an insult to Lynn. Then
as the miles ticked away, Wilc
shivered and suddenly from no
where came the vision Of that
picture Rene had painted OF Lynn