The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-11-16

Hello, Landorl" called one of
Florian's friends, and three or four
others set up chorus of greet
ings.
s'Well, if it isn't the big wool and
mutton man all the way from Cher
ry Creekl"
Hello, everybody" Bruce
grinned.
"Step up, Landor, and get close to
the source of supply" another in
vited. and Linda drew him beside
her and waited while two glasses
were filed.
A red-faced youth and a corn-col-
ored blonde girl were perched side
by side on the "bar," swaying to
and fro and singing a hilarious and
not quite proper song that was leg
acy from the war to all such gath
erings.
Lets get out of here" Linda
said as soon as they had received
their glasses.
She drew him away and started
for the porch.
Don't you think we'd better join
the crowd in the billiard room?" he
ventured.
"And lose you for the rest of the
EVENING"" she retorted. mot muchl
I'm going to hang on till I'm help
less. Are you going to put up with
us for the night?"
ssT-~r~;I1a Tn afr
piled. Mother is much better, and
l have a good nurse for her, any,
way, but I've got to be on the job"
Linda shrugged impatiently as
they stepped out upon the shadowy
porch. 1.-The gods are a stingy
crew." she said.
They sat together on the porch
swing and slipped their drinks. Bruce
did his utmost to contain his i'm.
patience and contribute a civil share
J of conversation, but in spite of him.
self he found his eyes rowing anx.
iously toward the lighted hallway
He paid no heed to the two or three
couples who we're near them on the
porch, or to their confused talk anc
laughter.
Linda moved close to him anc
pressed her shoulder under his arm
Her naive boldness was familiar t.
him now, and he was scarcely aware
of her nearness In his own preoccu
patton.
Anyhow, it was sweet of you t,
come all the way down so that
could have an hour with you," sht
murmured.
I'm sorry didn't get down fo
the game" Bruce returned in mat
ter-of-fact tone. Il hear Floria,
gave a good account of himself"
HE played the game of his life,
Linda said. II think it was be
cause Autumn laid a bet on hin
against Timothy. Poor Florian ha
taken an awful tumble for Autumn.
Bruce smiled to himself. "Se
rious?" he asked.
"The most serious thing in hi
young life. He's potty!"
"Florian has been potty before,
Bruce observed.
81 believe it's the real thing thi
time, though When the PARIS fal
they fall hard, darling" She paused
but Bruce did not offer reply. "
think she likes him, too. They h
it off together beautifully"
"I'l never believe Florian is i
love until I see it with my ow
eyes," he said. He harbored war;
feeling almost of pity for Floria
as he thought of him.
You'll see it tonight, then," Lii
da assured him.. though you won
believe it, even then. You're bin,
my dear, quite blind"
81 think I know the signs" he d,
clared.
Soft dance music began driftin
out to them now from the radio
the drawing room, and presently th
couples seated about the portico di
appeared within doors. Linda an
Bruce were left alone.
She turned her face impulsivel
up to him, and he was shaken o,
of his abstraction by the implorir
look in her eyes.
"You don't know the signs" 81
whispered, "or you couldn't be {
cruel to me-"
"Cruel?" he asked.
"Cruel-because you are so kind,
she said, and her voice seemed
him to be almost stified sob.
Bruce flushed. Good Lord, Lin
he protested. "You can't blame n
for being kind to you. I'm awful
fond of you, girl"
Fond" she said wistfull
"That's it-damned fondl"
He laughed awkwardly and stot
up. lifting her to her feet. "Yes,
am-damned fond of you, Lin. Con
on-let's go in and pick up Florian
"I'd rather have another drink
she told him.
Nothing more for me-" Bruce a
swered as he took her arm al
started into the house.
In the doorway to the billia
room, Bruce stood for a nome
and looked eagerly over the crow
In the middle of the room a roulet
wheel had been set out upon t
billiard table, and Timothy Parr w
acting as croupier for the evenin
The crowd about the table was clos
ly knit, their eyes intent upon t
little ivory ball. Above the hum
voices could be heard the snappil
of chips and the staccato clink
the ball as it struck the fins. A tn