The Wilmington morning star., 1940-04-16
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

IlO1lduy was SluuS ing ooilot
James scripts when Brent appear
ed at the apartment. Purposely
Cholly stayed downtown and went
to a movie. She had no desire to
be about when the announcer was
forced to tell Romany of the gossip
he had caused.
When Romany opened the door,
she could see from the strained eN
preston of Brent's face that some
thing had gone amiss. Throwing
himself into a chair, Brent ran his
hand through his hair nervously.
"Darling..' He wasted no time.
i've wanted to tell you somethlns
for a long time. But I've been
afraid if I did you wouldn't Tor
give me-"
why Brent" She laughed a lit
tie uncertainty. you act as though
you'd committed a murder or some
thing. I'm sure it can't be as serl'
ous as you look"
But Nelson was in no mood TO
be cheered by her effort to MAKE
things easy for him.
II meant we'll, darling, but We
made a terrible mistake. People
are talking about us, I'm AFRAID
and 1 wanted to tell you before
anyone else did"
She moved to the edge OF her
chair her ewes Widenio.
Talking about us. Oh. I suppose
you mean because of Myra.'
He lit a cisaret.
mo. It's much worse than that.
I gave Joe Telling . check for two
hundred dollars to pay for your
pictures and 10 enter you in the
teleyision contest. He got drunk
and talked in the restaurant at In
erstate."
You did what??" Romany sat back,
aghast. What are you talking
about, Brent?"
He told her of the day he had
gone to the press department
that Telling had refused 10 give her
any publicity because h wasn't an
Interstate artist; that Joe had asked
him if he thought the place was the
United States mint. And how, de-
termined to help her, he had Writ
ten the check.
1T seemed the right thing to do
at the time" Brent dropped his
head into his hands boyishly. How
I to know he was going to
talk and people would misur der-
stand?"
Much to his surprise. Romany
went over and sat down beside him
on the arm of his chair.
Don't, Brent" She lifted his
head with her hands, smiling as
best she could. Don't o think
know you meant to be a good friend?I
Haven't o proved that?'
"Oh. Romany,," He broke into al
tired smile, greatly relieved. "Ivel
been almost wild for fear you
wouldn't forgive me-
"Of course"-her eyes were trou-
bled-"it's a shock. But the day II
lunched with Jane Martel. she pre-
pared me pretty we'll for gossip.
She says they talk about anyone
when they begin to have a little
luck. I've really beer expecting 1t.
And I knew they were talking be-
cause you broke your engagement
to Myra.
Brent confessed he had heard the
tales from Cholly, and that it had
been her advice that he should tell
Romany himself what was being
said.
I'm glad you did" Romany as
sured him. at would have been a
much greater shock to have heard
it accidentally, or to have had some
well-meaning person come and tell
me about it,"
IF there's anything under heaven
I can do to undo the mess" said
Brent.
IT think I'm the only one who
can do that" Romany said thought
fully.
But how, dear?"
Romany decided:
well, the first thing I'm going
to do is walk into the press depart
ment and tell Joe Telling I'm with
drawing from the television con-
test
But, darling" Brent protested,
"the votes are pouring in for you.
You're even ahead of Myra, 1 was
told this afternoon"
ut doesn't matter. I can't stay
in. And, of course, I must give Joe
Telling a check for two hundred