Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1939-08-25
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tie Janice-laughing up her sweet
little sleeve.
No, Linda thought, let's not go con-
clusion- jumping like that, on the mere
say-so of an Oriole Walters. Let's wait
and see for ourselves. No ducking
out from under now, Linda; no reneg-
ing on what you've let yourself in for.
Linda would go through with it,
all right. She'd be there when Bill
Blaine called tonight for his date.
She'd be Herewith bells on.
And-don't forget-little Janice
would be there, too! Right there.
where Linda may watch her and see
what's what :.
Tonight" Linda told "Mr. Avon"
that noon at their lunch time rem
devious, "is the night. The big night. "
"Well," Mr.. Avon observed, 81 must
say you don't look too happy about
it. Say young lady, the whole rea-
son for all this is that this is what
you think you need to make you hap
py. You're sure your minds made
up ?"
ut u.s." Linda said. eff look pre-
occupied it's not because I'm not hap
py over the prospect Of my first date
with him; it's because-well, because
I'm thinking Of something else that
I learned today"
She weighed the matter Of con-
fiding completely in Mr.. Avon and
telling him her fears about Janice
and the other girls apparent motive
for seeking to shunt Linda from her
new romance. No, Linda decided, I'm
not even sure about Janice in my own
heart. Why should condemn her be-
fore someone else? Not, at least, un-
til I've sen for myself.
"Well, Linda" Blaine said, IT know
you'll have simply wonderful time
tonight. I'll be thinking Of you-and
holding a wish. I'll hope that Linda's
future is a hundred times happier
than her past"
"Thank you, Mr.. Avon, you're a
grand FRIEND" Linda said, and her
eyes told him how much she meant
it.
Mr.. Avon noted her eyes-bright
but very tired-what she needed was
rest.
Linda" Mr.. Avon said, "how'd you
like to go out in the country, where
it's nice and quiet for a few days
take your boy with you? Where
there's no one within a couple Of
miles, except the trout in the stream
and the birds in the trees. My little
shack in the hills, near Boulder Creek,
is yours for a week or so, and the
only rent you pay is solemn prom
Use to rest"
Mr.. Avon's face was normally rud-
dy, but now it was really red. Linda,
her back to the direction in which he
stared, startled, saw him tumble at the
knot of his tie and wondered if he
were choking.
It was because her back was turned
that Linda could not see Mary Blaine,
very sure and poised and smart look
ing in a swagger black caracul coat.
The amused smile on her deftly
roughed lips was as pointed as the
peak Of the black velvet cocktail hat
perched with careful carelessness on
smartly-groomed blonde head.
Linda couldn't see it, but Merry
Blaine's knowing smile, coupled with
the stance she adopted, right hand on
hip, seemed to say: "Why, FATHER!
You old roue!"
Meredith Blaine was just the type
who could make an effective entrance.
She did so now, with a staged effect
calculated to detract no whit from her
fathers discontinue.
"Mr. Avon," showing confusion for
the first time since Linda had known
him, stumbled to his feet as Merry
reached the table and Linda saw her
for the first time.
merry, my dear!" Blaine said,
"what a pleasant surprised"
It was a brave effort, but his face
and his tone gave the lie to the words.
His embarrassment might have been