The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1940-11-08
WNU s~vic.


fair. You'll never get that boy away
from Helen Austin. can tell you
that right nowl"
Chuck's eyes blazed: "This is all
l wanted, tip where they are. The
rest is easy. Once I get him, she
hasn't chance"
Lynn's fighting spirit was up:
mats what you think. Chuck,
snail 60 on the witness stand and tell
everything that happened those first
nVe months l was with your wife
and baby. When l do, there isn't a
| court In the world that will give you
that baby, Chuck"
Chuck looked at her unbelievingly.
mo, Chuck. You'll never get that
boy. There isn't any other man.
know"
He started to get up: "Why did
you get me from Florida to tell me
this fairy story?"
I'm telling you the truth"
Bunk. What's Mortimer paying
your"
Lynn did not even bother to an
swer. She just looked into Chuck's
blazing eyes, her own full Of con-
tempt. Suddenly he was on the de-
fensive.
why did you wait a year to tell
me this? So you knew it all along
when you were giving me all that
sound advice up at Austin Manorl"
Lynn swallowed, thought hard be-
fore she made her answer:
i.
your wife until I saw her picture
and Buddy's in the papers two days
ago." She spoke simply, directly.
Her level eyes forced him to look
at her. He laughed loud:
Ibid Mortimer send you here to
see me? He's tried hard enough to
get me every way"
If Mr.. Mortimer knew l was here
telling you this, he'd be frantic"
"Then you're working for him"
81 am his witness, if that is what
you mean. 1 am going to be honest
with you, Chuck"
He threw up his hands. "Very
smart of Mortimer, but not smart
enough. I'll have that baby in two
days"
Lynn was white now. She'd never
forgive herself if this did not turn
out right. She stood before him, her
hands clenched together.
"Helen's a decent womani When
l say she loves you, mean it. You
didn't use her right! know so well
what happened. She was a work
ing woman. Leisure is hard for us.
Your friends up at Austin Manor
didn't care about me, either.
They've got closed union They
said from the beginning that your
marriage wouldn't work. And they
did everything they could to see it
didn't
THAT isn't true! My family did
everything -
'I'm not talking about your fam
lily. Do you think that gang was
nice to me when I was up there?"
Chuck seemed surprised. "Of
course they were!"
Lynn laughed shortly. "Of course
they were not It's little things a
man doesn't understand But l could
see how they'd eat into a girls soul.
She wasn't interested in them:
thought they were pretty dumb. And
they resented her; thought she was
dull"
At least he was listening! There
was dead silence in the room.
"Your wife ran away in a panic
and left me stranded. That was be-
cause she'd seen you in West Palm
Beach that day" Lynn felt she had
to make the whole thing clear to
him. II didn't know. / never could
understand. Not until two days
ago"
Chuck turned on Lynn. eff you
testify, we'll tear you to shreds.
Wen bring up everything Ev-
erythingl" His eyes threatened her.
Lynn stood quiet, looking UP at
him.
II would expect you to do that,
Chuck. I'm working woman, we're
fair game. But here's one that's
going to stick to your wifel
Chuck Chuck Why do you want
TO pillory her when she's done moth
ing? Why do you want to take Buddy
from her when her greatest sin has
been lack OF understanding of your
friends? What has she done?"
Chuck did not answer. He was
breathing hard. He must walk war
lily. II he once got the boy, they
could all go hangl He'd take him
where none of them would ever see
him againl
L know what you're thinking
You'll steal him, and Helen will new.
er see him againi" There was ag.
ony in Lynn's voice.
Chuck, / begged Mortimer to try
to talk to you. know the situation
But he refused. He said you'd do
Just what you're planning to do"
She covered her face with her
hands.
Il thought l knew you. 1 thought
you loved them both. thought
you'd believe the truth when YOU
heard it. He warned mel But /
couldn't believe anybody would do
that 20 any other human beingl"