The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-05-15

HOPEwELL, secretary to Movie Star
BRENDA BRENT, with whom Larry
is reported to be in love. To econ
ment in the ' same - building With
Claire. After a 1o-month fruitless
search for work. Kay decides to go
home. She has spent all her money
except her return train fare. When
she discovers she has been robbed OF
her last cent. When things look
blacklist for KAY Claire announces
she is quitting her lob to get married
and offers to help KAY become Bren-
da's new secretary. Kay gets the JOB;
when Larry calls for Brenda. he
meets Kay. She sees man watching
Brenda's window whom she suspects
is Brenda's unwanted husband. He
tells Kay he wants to kill Brenda
Brent"
CHAPTER NINE
Kay felt herself paling, but
made no sign.
Why do you want to kill Miss
Brent ?" she asked in 4 reasonable
conversational tone.
His queer mirthless laugh again.
Miss Brent Brenda Brent -
that's good--it's a laugh"
Swiftly his mood changed. 81
want to kill her because she's my
wife and she played me the dirtiest
trick woman ever did to a man.
Kay said, do you want to tell
me about it ?" at the same time
thinking, Here I stand with a
murderer, trying to reason with
him."
"She was nothing but little
tramp when / married her six
years ago" he began slowly.
"A burlesque chorus girl. was
good enough for her then.
she was crazy about the stage
and one night a movie scout, or
whatever you call 'em. saw her in
an amateur performance.
Leaves Baby
He offered to pay her way to
Hollywood and she left me and
the baby just like that" with a
snap of his fingers.
"A baby" Kay exclaimed.
Sure" his igruff voice soften-
ing. He was the incest little
kid"
He was" Kay was no long
er frightened. All her sympathy
went out to the shabby, distraught
man.
Yeah bitterly. II tried to
take care of him. hired the land
lady to look out for him, but he
died"
oh" Kay breathed.
She" with a nod toward the
house, wouldn't even come when
he was sick and the little Teller
cryin' for her."
I'm so sorry" Kay's voice was
warm with pity.
His voice changed to a growl.
And now she lives in luxury.
drives around with a chauffeur.
has her picture on the fronts of
magazines, with her baby dead and
me starving.
Killing Too Good
Killing is too good for her"
Kay was silent. Then, IF you
kill her 1t will do no good and
they'll hang you"
That dreadful laugh again. AS
If l give a damn what they do
TO me. It'll be a relief"
Listen. Mr."
'Franklin-Dave Franklin"
Listen, Mr.. Franklin. don't
believe your wife realizes what
she's done to you.
Now suppose tell her how you
feel. Suppose she gives you ten
thousand dollars.
You could go away. start I'D
In business and begin again"
Saying this Kay wondered how
ten thousand dollars could be pried
loose from Brenda.
Perhaps if she We're frightened
badly enough
money won't Work
Il don't want her money" he
snsrled.
Money won't bring back the
little feller or make me forget
what she did to u.s."
Kay touched mis- arm. Her face
vas sweet and pleading in the dim
light.
She isn't worth 1t. Mr.. Frank
lin, really she isn't You've thought
about IT until you can't see
straight
He wasn't listening. Il heard
over the radio that she's going
to Mexico. A divorce, l suppose"
Il don't know" Kay lied. But
what II she In. You don't want
her If she treated you SO badly"
Nav" he snapped. u wouldn't
touch her with a 10-foot pole.
But she won't 90 on being the
country's sweetheart = the coun-
try's sweetheart. can YOU tie that,
not II know anything about it."
Kay Grows Firm
Kay grew firm. Mr.. Franklin.
I've tried TO reason with you.
did the fair thing by coming out
here TO talk with you instead Of
calling the police e"
And I'd like 10 tell EN- a few
things about Miss Brenda Brent
He fairly spst out the name.
1 Confinued On pa-a Oh -