The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1940-09-27
CHAPTER Xvm-Continued

nave you! He's q screaml Kept us
In stitches. He put Mrs. Wallis gold
hsh in the champagne. You should
nave seen them. They got cock
eyed!"
Terry was not trying to be cruel.
1t never occurred to him that Lynn
was taking Wild seriously.
She felt she could not face Rene
just now and she went straight to
her new apartment. Terry wrote
down the number.
Have you a telephone? Well, !
can get you at the shop" he waved
good-by. "See you soon."
The room darkened. 1t must have
been nine when she got up and
bathed her face, and put on a white
linen dress. She'd 60 to Rene now.
Then she laughed at herself. She
knew why she was going. To see
If Wild might be waiting.
From the street she could see
Rene's apartment was dark. He Oft
en- sat with the lights out, so she
went on up. Rene, however, was
not there. She found note for her.
Give gone to eat with Marty"
She waited while, idling about
the room, picking up this sketch and
that. She could stand it no longer.
She scrubbed a few words on the
end of Rene's note and left. If only
Wild were waiting for her as Usual.
She was crying now, for she knew
that Wild would not come. What
had happened? Terry? His mother?
What?"
YEARLY she made up the cot for
the night, and undressed.
It was hours later when the door
bell awakened her. She jumped up,
stubbed her toe on the strange
chair, felt for the buzzer. Rene? He
must be i'll. She hunted for her
dressing gown and threw it on over
her thin nightdress. Her eyes were
heavy with sleep as she waited at
the door. She could hear somebody
stumbling up the stairs at the next
floor. She was sure something had
happened to Rene! She waited until
the footsteps reached her door. Then
she opened it. 1t was Wild.
He came to her and took her in
his arms, buried his face in her ruff
fed, blonde hair.
"My God, Lynnl 1 couldn't stay
away. tried, but couldn't!" He
would not let her 60, his lips on
hers.
"Wild!" Lynn's voice was plead
ing. She realized he had been drink
ing. She struggled to get away
from him.
Don't, Lynn! I love you sol"
There were tears in his eyes as he
spoke.
you've got to let me CO." Lynn's
voice was desperate.
"1'H never let you 60, not after
these two days" Finally she broke
away from him.
You've got to leave here, Wild.
Right nowl'
Lynn was in a panic. Mrs. Roth
had warned her against men visitors
late at night.
He laughed softly: 81 thought 1
could give you up if I wanted to.
Well, I'm putting my cards on the
table. I can't"
He sat down suddenly, as though
his knees were weak. "And
thought was so smart! I who hate
women!"
"Wild. please. Go. now, like a
good boy"
He pulled her down into his arms.
"Of course, I'm not going! I'm here
to stay"
Lynn could not break away from
him, and she lay there sobbing as
though her heart would break. Wild
was nonplussed at the storm.
Don't you love me, Lynn" he
asked plaintively.
II think 1 almost hate you to-
night" All her suffering of the last
two days welled up. But he held
her there, rebellious, sobbing fig
ure.
Just then, there was a knock on
the door. Lynn struggled out of
Wild's arms and went slowly to an
swer. 1t was Mr.. Roth, in his night
shirt which hung below a hastily
donned raincoat.
This is q nice way to carry on,
young woman" Roth charged into
the room.
Lynn, Mortified, managed to say:
I'm sorry Mr.. Roth. The gentle.
man was just leaving" Roth
brushed that aside:
you'll leave tomorrow morning.
We told you this was a respectable
place" Then he turned to Wild
Nov get out. Take her with you Il
you want to but get out of my
house."
Lynn stood straight against the
wall. The humiliation of the whole
thing was ghastly. Wild suddenly
sobered by the turn of events rose.
II apologize Lynn. I'm a fooll''
He went over to her, touched her
arm appealingly, took his hat and
left without backward glance. And
he left her to contemplate the most
humiliating experience in her whole
young life.
CHAPTER XIX
Lynn, standing there in the mid
I