The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-05-13
Second
Best Love
By LOUISE HOLMES

Continued From Page Eighty
hitherto unmentioued husband in
Illinois was not favorable pub
heity.
As Kay had become invaluable
TO Brenda she was to accompany
her.
Works Late
one night. week before they
were TO leave, Kay worked late at
her desk.
1t was after eleven when she
turned out the light and climbed
to her third floor room.
She loved her room even though
it was furnished from cast-offs.
A slanting ceiling made it
honey. the windows framed
vista Of the purple Sierra range.
Climbing the stairs. almost to
the top. she remembered a letter
that she had promised to write
and turned YEARLY back.
Entering the quiet office she
reached for the light switch, then
as a movement in the
hedge. ten feet from the window,
her eye.
Crossing the room she peered
out into the moonlit dark.
A man rose from the hedge.
He stood staring at Brenda's
windows. silently. defiantly.
Rays hands trembled as she
reached for the telephone.
As she hesitated. knowing how
Brenda despised any but glamor-
Gus publicity the man disappeared
through the hedge and was gone.
II came to Kay in a flash that
the man was Brenda's husband.
Somehow she had no doubt of it.
The next day, when Kay went to
the post box. she saw the same
man on the corner.
Cheap Clothes
Hat pulled well over his eyes,
clothes cheap and unkempt, face
sinister and brooding.
Kay was at loss as to her pro-
cedure. Certainly the man meant
no good.
II she told Brenda nothing
would be gained, nothing, that is.
except hystegia.
II he were Brendas husband.
and if she notified the police it
meant the kind of notoriety which
would cheaper Brenda in the eyes
of her public.
Fearing to make a wrong move,
hoping the man would take himself
off, longing for the day of their
departure, Kay did nothing.
Again that night the fellow
stared at Brenda's windows, hate
in every line of his figure, and the
next night, while Kay fearfully
Kay Waits
Both nights she waited ON the
dark stairs until Larry brought
Brenda home.
The third day Kay came to
decision.
That night she stationed herself
behind a lawn bench and waited.
Chills ran the length of her
spine, her hands were cold and
hot by turns.
Within calling distance of the
butler, she assured herself there
was nothing to fear.
Her idea was to talk with the
man, if possible learn of his inten-
tons. Then she would know what
to do.
1t was possible he was merely a
love-sick admirer.
At last came a rustic in the
hedge and Kay stopped breathing.
Then, in the shadows. the man
stood up, his face a white blur.
and gazed at Brenda's windows.
Kay caught her vanishing
courage.
Hello she said softly. not to
Brighten him away. Calmly she
walked across the lawn.
The Man Stares
The mans head jerked around.
he did not move, simply stared at
her.
Won't you sit down here and
talk to me >" she asked sweetly.
Who are you?" he asked very
ow.
I'm Miss Brent's secretary"
She told him. I've seen you out
lere several times.
rs there something I can do
Tor you?a
He came through the hedge.
moving silently in the dense
shadow OF a palm tree.
II you saw me why didn't YOU
,all the cops ?" His voice was a
-aspy whisper.
First ! thought Id find out
what you want"
He laughed, sardonic. mirth-
ess sound. Il want TO kill Brenda
Brent ne said, his tone, when he
mentioned her name. singing with
bitterness.