The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-18
CHAPTER TWENTY-Six

Quite idly Linda bought an eve
ming paper from corner news
stand as she crossed the street to
the all-night coffee pot where she
would get a sandwich and some
ice cold milk.
She was not thinking about her
picture or the announcement thai
might be made as she opened ii
and spread it on the counter.
Therefore, she gave a squeal OF
pure surprise when she saw her
face smiling back at her.
The story was brief. 1t dldn
concern her nearly as much as II
did Ronnie. He was one OF the
young swing princes with follow
ing. It was news to the public that
he was in love. A couple of hun
dred thousand jitterbugs W o uld
read the lines with excited interest.
She smiled, slipping the milk. That
was all right. She couldn't WRITE
paint, act, sing or do anything else
well enough to make career OF 1t.
She wanted to be Ronald's wife
and make him a success.
The man behind the counter an
swered the telephone and called
to her: 1.-THE girl working with you
wants a vanilla milk shake. Near
ly through? Shall I put it on?'
She nodded, wrinkling her nose,
wondering if Ronnie had seen the
paper. She wondered, too, just
how the story had broken. Surely
he couldn't have told the reporters.
That wasn't his p e. Oh, OF
course, shows have public relation
men, and it was their job to make
news out of every event, she de-
cided.
She turned the page and began
to read a chit-chat gossip column
which concerned people W h
names were news in the social,
theatrical, literary and profession
al world. Sometimes she found a
name she knew in the column, now
that Ronald had opened magic,
doors to her. Sometin es the Bag
ley models were mentioned and it
was her job to make notatlons
when they were.
With her sandwich raised to her
mouth she stopped. Her own name
was staring at her in the paper.
Her name was there, and Ronald s
name and - and sarah's name.
She drew a deep breath, put the
sandwich on the plate, and read
slowly:
announcement of the coming
marriage of the crooner-sWing-
triumpeteer, Ronnie Stafford, was
made by Sarah Markley, daughter
of the producer of the show that
swung the Stafford hcln over the
top. Society wonders why she has
broadcast the news. By the way
Ronnie is marrying Linda Avery,
receptionist at the Bagley office,
where beauty assemblies daily"
Two emotions surged through
Linda as she read the notice. There
was one of relief because Ronald
had not told the press of the en-
gagement. There was one of dis
trust of the girl who had. Was
Sarah going to be plague for.
ever and forever? Or was she try.
ing to get Ronald out of her life
as quickly as she could?
The man behind the counter hae
prepared the milk shake and placed
the container by her plate. Me
chatically Linda picked up hel
check, paid the bill, and started
across the street.
The janitor and watchman from
Linda's floor was eating at the
counter and turned to smile at hel
as she passed. He was timid ole
man with white hair and beard
Often she had wondered why ht
had to work in a city office build
ing at night. He seemed fragile
designed for a little town, small
house and garden and much peace
She waited until the green traffic
light changed to red. The air wa:
growing cooler, and there was {
hint of rain in it. Traffic wa:
speeding swiftly up the avenue ane
voices were little more rested al
people passed.
She glanced at the clock on tn,
Grand Central Palace and noticet
that she had been gone barely L
minutes. Ronald had given her ;
pass to his show, so she decides
fbof xxyhon tho vuor.ly xu,c fipicb ar