The Wilmington morning star., 1940-04-01
CHAPTER ~TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Brent was in his robe and slip
pers. He jumped up from the divan
as if he'd suddenly seen a ghost
Myra smiled again.
''Oh, don't be alarmed. [ just
dropped in for a little talk"
Brent said grimly:
We'll, make it snappv."
Myra threw herself into a chair.
Thanks for the hospitality
She drew her feet up as If she
meant to spend the evening. MAY
l have a cigaret?"
Brent could see that she had been
drinking. He dreaded the scene he
felt certain was to follow. But he
could see no way of avoiding it with.
out committing murder. He rose
and handed her a cigaret and a pack.
age Of matches.
'"Thanks..' Her lip curled. She
looked around. Surely you're not
alone. Perhaps 1 should have tele-
phoned."'
m alone, bI6LL
Isn't it expensive" Myra sheer
ed. maintaining two establish
ments?"
Brent's jaw hardened.
''Myra, I've had about enough OF
this rot from you. If o don't shut
up I'm gong to throw you out OF
here"
She laughed a little wildly.
go right ahead. Throw me out!'
I'd love it,"
I'm sure you would" Brent sat
back on the divan and lit a cigaret,
fighting for control of his temper
Nov suppose you tell me What
brought you here"
Myra sat back in her chair, her
hands clenched on the arms.
I've just found out something
very interesting" she smiled then
And 1 think when you find out
what it is we'll be able to talk a
little business
= business? What kind of bust
ness? What have YOU found QUIZ
i've just learned on good au
thority"-Myla watched the others
face closely - that you paid two
hundred dollars to get Romany Halle
enrolled in the television contest"
Brent's face blanched.
You're - crazy" he began, but
Myra stopped him.
"Oh, no I'm not" she smiled again.
MY source of information is alb
solutely infallible."
Brent knew at once 1t was Joe
Telling who had given away his
secret. He had seen Myra and Joe
in the cocktail lounge less than an
hour before. Brent got up to walk
the floor.
Myra could see that he was deep
ly worried.
And that isn't half the informa
ton [ have" She sat back, pleased
with herself. There are a few things
! think you should know about your
lady love, too"
Brent walked over to the win
dow, whirled, and walked back tt
sit on the divan.
Listen here, Myra," he said
seriously, there isn't anything il
Gods world you could tell me
about Romany Halle that would
change my opinion of her. Nothing
Do you understand? I know I've
only known her a few days, but
love her. It's the real thing. So you
might as well keep any informa
ton you have to yourself, if that's
what you came here for"
Myra laughed sarcastically.
"A great and noble love!
thought you had some sense. Let
ting a poverty stricken little no
body from the sticks come in an(
take you over for a sap"
Listen, Myra," Brent said agar
patiently, Il suppose there's ne
wav I could convince you that Rom
any Halle doesn't know I put VI
the money to buy those pictures. Blu
she doesn't. If she did know, she'(
probably eve speak to me again."
Myra stopped him with a gesture
of contempt.
VII, DlCllls oOA IdhS LIZ 4O
such a fool. You think I'm JUS
Jealous and want to hurt you be
cause you broke our engagement
But that's not it. I hate to see you
make such a chump out of your
self. Everybody's talking"
Everybody will be'-Brent go
UP to walk again-"when you ant
Joe Telling get through waggins
your tongues"
ooh, 1 won't talk" Myra as
sured him untruthfully. lowering
her voice. "But Brent, l think 20,
should know the truth. That cir
hasn't got a dime. She worked a
a maid and everything to ge
through school. The clothes she
wearing aren't even hers. She ha
stolen them from her aunt who i
in Europe. She'll probably catch tn
devil when Mrs. Harlowe come
back. I'm just telling you for you
own good"
Brent stopped her.
And where did you get all thi
inside information" he asked ther
From that drunken sot of a Teri
O'Rourke?"
Myra said angrily:
"How dare you talk that wa
about Terry? I love him! I'm goini
to marry him."
1t wasn't true. But she wante
Brent to think she was in love, too
The announcer shrugged.
go ahead, marry the guy.
would serve both of you right. Blu