The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1940-11-01
CHAPTER NVm-Continued
. Lssdga


read the letter again. Il seemed
incredible to her that Rene meant
what he said. She was tempted TO
cable him. But what could she sayf
The next morning Lynn went to
Mortmer's Office. After q long wait,
she was finally ushered into Morti-
mer's Office. She smiled a little N
she thought Of her first visit there.
Mortimer greeted her cordially.
She took his breath away, she was
20 much lovelier than he remem-
bered her. Lynn was a far cry
from the shy, terrified girl who had
come into his Office a year and a
half ago.
What can I do for you, Miss
Morrow"
Lynn found it hard to begin.
you've probably wondered how
got North after that Florida epi-
sode?"
Mortimer's face was a blank. She
probably wanted more money. This
time 1t would really be expensive.
He speculated on how much her
Fall suit had cost.
Haltingly. she began the pitiful lit
tie story. It took her q long time.
and Mortimer had to ask MANY
questions. She took out the cr,,ro.
pied marriage license from her bag
and gave it to him.
II sounds SO preposterous as
tell it," she said appealingly.
II hear much stranger stories
than this. Your problem is simple.
You want me to start an annulment
suit. That is what you want" He
cleared his throat. "There will be
some publicity connected with this.
Boucher is a pretty important per-
son these days, and you're well
known.
"I'm prepared to face that. There
is nothing we can do about it."
Mortimer nodded. IT want to ask
you what your fee will BET"
Mortimer smiled. 1--WE won't even
talk about that, Miss Morrow" He
paused and weighed his words.
Some time pretty soon I may ask
you to help me. All ask is that
you comply when appeal to you"
II don't understand"
Just forget what I said for the
moment. I'll start the annulment
suit Immediately. Let me have your
address. Good. Now don't worry.
Ill keep this here" he said, holding
up the license which had caused
Lynn SO much trouble. 81 want to
warn you, it will take several
months"
That was the last she heard from
Mortimer for several days. She had
one letter from him suggesting to 60
70 Rene If she could leave here.
That was impossible, however. Then
one afternoon as she left Yelling
tons studio she noticed the after
noon newspapers at the subway
stop. A big photograph Of herself
was spread over the front page, a
picture Of Rene as he left for Eu-
rope, and one of Wild.
Lynn had known there would be
publicity when Mortimer filed that
auit, but she had not realized quite
how bad it would be. When she got
Oh the bus near her apartment she
bought all the afternoon papers and
took them home. She forced her
self TO read them, clipped the stories
and pictures. Then she put them
into an envelope and wrote to Rene:
''I'm sorry" It was hard to write
that letter. "Mr. Mortimer warns
me it will take long time. / wish
! could rush it through for you, but
II - impossible for me to leave town
right now. Wellington has a con-
tract which keeps me here. I wish
you every happiness"
She sealed it, put stamps on 1t and
went down and dropped 1t into the
letter box on the corner.
Terry had asked to take her to
dinner that night, and shs tried to
reach him on the telephone while
she was out. She felt she could not
face anybody tonight. But she failed.
He was not at his Office or his club.
When he came at o'clock, he
had q newspaper in his hand and he
was excited, anxious to hear all
about everything.
why didn't you tell me2" he de-
msnded. mot that 1t matters to
me-" He waved the paper at her
AccuSnBIy.
IL didn't tell anybody"
''Not even Wild7"
''Hs knew" was all Lynn said
and by her tone she halted any
more questions. II can't 60 out to
dinner tonight. couldn't"
"Nonsensei" Terry was firm. "Of
course, you're goingl"
at might mean publicity for you"
IL don't care"
II do I hate people staring and
questioning and gossiping."
They'll gossip anyway. Be glad
you're important enough to make
front pagel Get your hat on"
He insisted and as Lynn put on
her hat, Terry offered a little adj
vice:
you're going places, Lynn.
You've got to get used to all this.
Besides, nothing's so dead as last
weeks headlines. It's all over now"
xynn ahnoE be- hnoI I,,hlo...1..