The Washington times., 1938-01-14

back with the girls she knew. The
memories of the preceding Christ
mas were painful.
But that's just something I've
got to forget" she told herself.
Madam was going up into the
country for the holidays and
wanted Lynn to come along, but
the girl refused. She felt she was
not fit company for any jollifica-
tion. Madam inveigled her into
buying a lot of new clothes, and
they did help.
On the second day Lynn was
back in the shop, Madam came in
late from luncheon. She threw
the afternoon paper down on the
table of the fitting room where
she found Lynn:
"The AustinS keep breaking
into print, Kid. Lucky you didn't
hitch up with that family. They're
all crazy!"
With apprehension Lynn picked
up the paper. There were black
headlines about Chuck Austin's
fight for the custody Of Charles
Talbot Austin, 3rd. There in the
fitting room Lynn stared a long
time at the photograph on the
front page. 1t was a picture OF
Mrs. Austin and her son, taken
two years previously. Lynn's knees
were weak. She leaned against the
gray, painted all Of the little
room as she stared.
The woman was Helen Warren.
The child was Buddy.
CHAPTER Xxx
MORTIMER
While Lynn stood there, one Of
the girls came to tell her she was
wanted on the telephone. 1t was
Mortimer.
Can you drop into my office
after you get through work?" ne
asked.
Lynn promised. She thought he
wanted to talk with her further
about the annulment. All after
noon she went around in a daze
It was unbelievable that Heller
Warren should be Chuck'S wife.
It was almost 6 when she ar
rived at Mortimer's office. and she
found the place deserted, except
for him and his secretary.
IT wanted to be sure and see
you tonight, Miss Morrow" he
said. She sat down in chair.
Tell me what it all means?
she demanded, tapping the late
afternoon paper on his desk. I'm
simply flabbergasted."
"You were?" Mortimer looked
long at her.
"I've a confession to make.
thought when you started going
around with young Austin that
you knew"
KNEW? I never was so sur
prised in my lifeL still can't be-
Ieve it,"
Mortimer cleared his throat, try
ing to think just how to begin.
"I've got a lot of things to say
to you, Miss Morrow. In the first
place, you know. we'll be forced 10
call you as a witness"
"Witness!" Lynn's face blanched.
"Oh, I couldn't! 1t would be too
terrible, especially since I knew
Mr.. Austin. know both Of them! !"
Lynn jumped up and caned across
the desk. you mustn't ask me
Mr.. Mortimer!"
Miss Morrow, I want to be hon
est. You realize the AuStins have
a lot of money. They'll move
heaven and earth to get that
grandchild! This is not question
even of duty. It is a matter OF
human decency. You can't see an
injustice done. You know Helen
Austin! You know she adores that
child of hers! Do you want to see
him taken away from her?"
Lynn sunk again into her chair
There were tears in her eyes.
But it will be awful. Every
thing will be raked up again, my
engagement to Wild! Oh. Mr.. Nor
timer, you can't do this to mel"
LYNN LEARNS THE TRUTH
His eyes bored into her plead
ing ones. II suppose you know
now why Helen Austin ran aWay?"
Lynn's eyes were wide as she lis
tened.
Charley Austin came to Palm
Beach to join his brother. She
thought he was in Europe. She
saw him that day you were al
the beach, driving his car in down
town West Palm Beach. Poor girl
She was frantic. She had to leave
you stranded. She thought he
knew she was there. She thought
he might have seen her. She
didn't even dare send for you"
Poor Mrs. Warren . I mean
Austin =" Lynn covered her
face with her hands. She could
see the Helen Warren she knew
with her son in her arms as she
read him his bedtime story. She
jumped up: "I'd hurt your case
They'd say I was just trying tc
get even with what the AustinS die
to me! They'd say I'd worked my
self into their confidence! Oh!
"I've thought Of all that, Miss
| Morrow. You're our best witness
Austin charges his wife ran away
with his best friend. You know
where she was those first few
months after she left Austtn's