The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-05-31
THE MAN I
WANT
b, Ros EDEN
CONTINUED from Page %

never occur 70 them But appsr-
entity I guessed wrong. She Ger
tsinly IL here. now"
The phone rang. and Morrow
completed MS calls 10 Los Angeles
and Memphis. while Jetta, relaxed
in an easy chair. stared into tho
fire.
DO you want me 10 get rid ~
her ," Dick asked. a. he hung Up
the phone. 1T viii Be easy. II you
say the word"
No. not yet. Lets wait swhils
and see what happens. What do
you think OF her. anyway? I'd
like TO have a mans reaction. To
me. she's rather eolorless and in
sipid, but of course she's not my
type and am prejudiced."
Personally. I'd never 60 for a
girl hike that in a thousand years
Morrow said, but I can see her
attraction to some men. Most men
prefer an unworldly type, sort Of
on the naive side. when they're
thinking Of marriage. nv taste
runs more to the sophisticated.
Intellectual type, like you"
Thanks, Dick" Jetta said.
dryly. but I'm afraid we'd
never hit 10 off. You see, I
know you too well. You're
useful as an employe. but I'm
afraid 1 couldn't trust You as
partner"
Il didn't mean.7 Dick started.
his pale face flushing.
Sure, I know. but let's forget
it. Who was this man that Ching
mentioned over the phone? The
man who called Barry just before
he disappeared? Albert or some
thing like that?
Gilbert. Stanley Gilbert. Ching
was positive of the name. as he
wrote it down."
Il wonder what he wanted ?
Have you ever heard of him ,"
mo. thought maybe you
might know who he is. that Barry
might have mentioned him to you
at some time
Never heard the name before,
~ Aa4 - -
Barry's correspondence? You've
handled that for a long time"
Five years I didn't remember
ever hearing the name, either. but
just to he sure I've gone through
every letter in the files at the
office 10 make sure. There's no
mention of him. You know.
wonder"
Wonder what ," Jetta obvi-
ously was bored, and the query
came automatically rather than
because she really was interested
in Morrow's thoughts.
Il wonder if the appearance OF
this Gilbert had anything to do
with Barry's sudden decision to
leave Memphis before the we'd
ding? Ching said the man called
from the lobby of the apartment
house just as he was leaving with
Barrys baggage. Barry had Ching
tell Gilbert to come up in five
minutes. Apparently when Gilbert
did appear. Barry had gone. He
evidently didn't want to see him.
or he wouldn't have pulled a stunt
like that"
Jetta was sitting up straight in
her chair, now. The drawl was
gone from her voice as she
snapped:
That's nonsense. You're inti-
mating this man Gilbert may have
something on Barry - something
that would make him forget every
thing but wild desire to escape.
That's one thing about Barry
know he's strictly on the level.
Straight as they come. I looked
him up carefully before I ever
went in with him on the mine.
I'm not So foolish as to tie myself
up with someone who is likely to
pull crooked stuff on me. ! think
your idea is ridiculous"
II didn't mean to intimate
that Barry is crooked. or has any
dark chapters in his life" Morrow
protested, hastily. I've always
found him strictly honorable in
all his dealings. I wouldn't for the
world have you think that I"
Let's skip it, then Jetts in
terrupted sadly.
Morrow suddenly was very
warm, and taking a handker-
chief from his pocket, mopped
his high forehead and neck.
Then he took off his glasses
and polished them carefully.
If you didn't mean that YOU
thought Barry had something to
moe, what did you mean" Jetts
suddenly asked.
Well here's the thought I mad,
but II probably doesn't mean any,
thing. 1t occurred to me that if
the real reason Barry ran out on
his wedding was because he real.
lied that his-er-romantic inter-
est was at the Falling Star. then
ne would have come directly here.
instead of batting around heaven
knows where. and finally turning
up in southern California
Jetts unused for a moment
There might be something in
II at that she said al last.
TO be continued)
Il