Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 11, Number 2, DeMotte, Jasper County, 28 November 1940 — TRAILER GIRL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

TRAILER GIRL

© Ledger

By VERA BROWN

WNU Service

CHAPTER XX—Continued —l3 On the night of the housewarming Mrs. Austin called Elsie into her sitting room after dinner. "Close the door, Elsie, I want to speak to you.” Obviously embarrassed, the woman came in hesitantly. “Don’t misunderstand, I’m. not asking you to spy on Mr. Wild. But I was surprised when he called for you today. Tell me about it.” “He wanted me to move Miss Morrow’’s things,” Elsie said with reluctance. “Where to?” Elsie gave the number of the apartment building to which Lynn had moved, and from which she had come. Mrs. Austin did not write dowm the address until after Elsie had gone. Then she noted it carefully. She sent for her husband immediately and told him what she found out. “I don’t want to press things, Charles, but has Harlen made any report to you?” Mrs. Austin could not bring herself to mention the girl’s name even to her husband. “Yes, but he’s turned up nothing. She seemed to be quite a nice girl. Up in Vermont she comes from de-’ cent middle-class people, a sister in Bangor, married, ordinary. Her father was a small-town lawyer, it seems.” » Mrs. Austin turned impatiently. “Now, Ruth, he's doing the best he can.” “What about Florida? I tell you there’s something funny about all that!” “She worked for some woman down there by the name of Warren. She had a trailer.” Mrs. Austin moaned: “It’s awful. Do you know what happened today?” and the frantic mother told him about Elsie's visit to Lynn’s apartment at Wild’s orders. “They should be able to find out something. Here’s her new .address.” She handed him the slip of paper. But Harlen proved a disappointment. His operators could only report the times Wild came to see Lynn, the hours spent with her in complete devotion. But it got Mrs. Austin no place at all.. If Lynn and Wild did not go back o Austin Manor, they went about every place else. Lynn learned for the first time something about the New York theater. They saw everything worth while together. Wild knew everybody, and he was proud of the sensation the new model’s beauty made wherever she went. And they were invited to many parties, But they went to few. Lynn had to be in at a" reasonable hour, for she was at Rene's studio at 8 every morning. They were bound to get into the gossip columns. Wild was so well known and Lynn such a sensation as a model, that that was only natural. But the first time it happened, Lynn was shocked. “That gorgeous blonde with Wild Austin at last night's shindig at the Morosco Theater is the model you see in this issue of the. Dispatch. “It looks like a three-alarm. They are at the hand-holding stage.” When Wild mot her that night after work she was embarrassed. As for Wild, he was a little nervous about the matter, since it had not been mentioned at home. He knew quite well that his mother must have seen the item. The thing which worried him was her silence. When he saw Lynn’s face he realized how upset she was over the matter. “Think nothing of it!” he said, giving her hand a squeeze. “What do you want to do tonight?” Lynn and Wild had found innumerable interesting little- restaurants around the city. They had their pet names for them. Tonight Lynn decided she wanted to go to a little French restaurant where they served the best filet of sole Marguery in the city. "Some day. Lynn, we'll have dinner in Paris at just such a little place,” Wild promised. “Which brings-me to something else.” He leaned across the table. “When are you going to marry me?” Not since that awful morning after Wild had come to her apartment had he asked her that question. There was fear in Lynn's eyes. "What is it, darling?” The girl was trembling, but she could not force herself to answer. She must tell him! But when she looked into his eyes she lost courage. If she were out of this restaurant, maybe she could manage. Later, when they left the eating place, Lynn suggested going up to her apartment. “I’m tired, Wild. We can build a fire—” Maybe then, she could tell him the truth about her and Rene. Later in the quiet apartment with the fire burning, Lynn walked restlessly about, straightening a picture, picking up a magazine only to throw it down. “Lynn, you didn’t answer me." “It is hard to.” “Why is it hard?” “Your mother-—” “We manage mother Once she realizes you really love me, the battle's won.” Wild pulled her down into the chair with him. They embraced and their lips met in a kiss. “Listen,

sweet. You don’t understand my family. They’ve had a bad lesson with Chuck. It isn't that they don’t like you. It is just that they don’t trust anybody.” “I understand. I don’t blamie them.” “This business of Chuck’s is going to blow high as a kite one of these days, so be prepared for a frontpage scandal.” “It will be hard for your mother.” “So, you see why I want to get us out of the way?” Lynn’s eyes were clouded. “It’s Rene, isn’t it?” "Yes.” Wild made an impatient gesture. “Lynn, you’re annoying I can’t understand you and Rene! You owe him nothing! Oh, I know what you’re going to say.” Lynn’s heart was full of sudden fear. “He was kind to you, stuck to you. Well, you certainly nursed him along like a mother! Good Lord. Where’d he be without you? I know he has talent. But if he didn’t have you to paint, where’d he be?” “That’s just it!” “You can’t model for him the rest of your life! It’s ridiculous. You supported him, you cooked his meals and washed the dishes. It

seems to me you’ve paid your de,bt of gratitude a thousand times!” “He needs me.” “What about me?” He kissed Lynn, holding her close in his arms, until he felt her hot tears on his lips. “•Look at me. Lynn!” He held her away from him. “Is it because Rene is in love with you?” “He isn’t.” “Of course, he is. I’ve known it always.” “Oh, darling, you're so wrong! He clings to me, that's all.” And Lynn honestly believed what she said. Wild got up and put Lynn in the chair and paced about. “Have I got to go to Rene to get permission to marry you?” “Oh, no, no, don’t do that. Wild!” She was frantic at the thought. He must not hear from Rene. She must stop that, somehow. “Wild, let me handle this. I’ll talk to Rene tomorrow.” “Is that a promise, sweet?” “It’s a promise.” CHAPTER XXI . When Lynn arrived at Rene's studio the next morning for work, she wore some of Wild's orchids. They were gorgeous yellow affairs, stunning on her black suit. For Lynn spent her whole day in a breathless attempt to please both Rene and Mme. Reanoud. Rene frowned. He lit a cigarette and went over and slumped onto the sofa. “I’ve Peen wanting to talk to you, Lynn. Sit over there wnere I can see your face.” Obediently, Lynn came down and sat in a chair across from him. “When are you going to tell Wild?” Lynn’s hands were restless in her lap. “Oh, Rene, I don’t know. I’ve c tried. I tried last night. I can’t, Rene! What am I going to do?” She got up and went over to the big studio windows. “You’re a fool, Lynn. Why didn't you tell him in the first place? I told you to.” “I . . . couldn’t. Now it’s too late. I know him. He'll never trust me again, You don’t understand how he is . . . ” She turned toward Rene. “You’re off the deep end about him aren’t you?” “Yes.” “Do you want me to tell him?” “God, no! I’ve got to do it myself. somehow.” She wrung her hands. “If it weren't all so incredible. How can I make him believe that story? He’ll leave me. I know that.” She came over to the artist and held out her hands. “What am I going to do?” Rene put his arm about her shoulders and tried to comfort her. “I can’t sleep for thinking about it. At first, Rene, I thought it didn’t matter. I didn’t take Wild seriously. It was just fun being with him and dashing about town. Then things changed—and it was too late to tell him.’*

“The quicker you get it over with, the better.” “Just give me a little time. I'll tell him this week.” Rene’s face was expressionless as he looked at Lynn.“We better get back to work.” Lynn went back to the model’s stand. As he painted, Lynn was left with her devastating thoughts. She remembered so clearly Wild’s insistent voice as he told her: “Never lie to me.” If only she could get an annulment or something. He might never have to know, But it would be difficult. If she went away from town he’d need explanations. And now, with her name becoming well known, it would be fatal! “All right!” Rene threw down his brushes and reached feverishly for a cigarette. His eyes were burning and he was exhausted He’d been at this two hours. Without speaking to Lynn, he went over and threw himself, face down, on the sofa. Lynn got up stiffly. The clock said it was noon. She rushed off to change back into her suit and hurry to Mme. Reanoud’s. When she came back to the studio she saw the crushed orchids in a heap on the model’s stand and she hunted for her purse and gloves. Rene seemed to be sleeping, so she let herself out without speaking to him. When the door had closed Rene got up slowly, afraid to look at what he had left on the easel. But he finally did. He stood there a long time, contemplating the picture. Then he went to work again. As he painted, he exulted. It was good! Good! He worked as though fascinated. It was a simple picture, painted without pretensions, direct and strong. It was a head and shoulders, a splash of yellow orchids against a black frock. But the striking thing about that portrait was that it was the photograph of a woman’s soul. And such a troubled soul. Rene, looking, felt it was almost indecent to strip anybody so cruelly. The arresting gold-flecked brown eyes were wide open, their owner’s thoughts were far away. All the struggle of the world seemed wrapped up in that bit of dark canvas. Rene worked the better part of the afternoon. When the light began to fail, he turned The painting around toward the wall, and threw himself on the couch again. It was thus Marty found him when he came bounding in demanding a highball. “How’s the work? Is the Christmas stuff coming well? I got a damned wreath. You artists sure make tough demands.” Marty turned on the light and went over to the canvas on the easel. “Don’t look at it!” Rene’s voice was sharp. “It isn’t done!” Ho jumped up from the couch. “Are you, too. going temperamental on me?” Marty turned the picture around before Rene could stop him. There was a dead silence in the room. Marty walked over and pulled an unshaded light off the table and brought it back to the picture. Then, he set the lamp back and turned and looked at Rene. He could see the excitement burning in Rene’s eyes, they bored into Marty. “Is it as good as I think it is?” “Yes.” Marty shoved his hands in his pockets. “It’»s better. God, man. You can paint! It’s a cruel picture.” “I suppose so, but most art is cruel to human beings. It’s truthful.” “What will Lynn say when she sees it?” “I don’t know.” Marty shook his head: “When do you leave for Rome?” he said with a short laugh. “After seeing that, I can’t keep you here. I know that.” Rene did not answer. “What will Wild say when he sees that?” Rene shrugged his shoulders. “He’ll have to take his chances with the rest of us.” Then Marty mixed a stiff drink for Rene, and he seemed grateful for it. Rene, with his drink in his hand, went over and looked at the picture again. Marty thought he looked rather ill and said so. “You’re killing me with work.” “Like today!” Marty retorted. “You’re burning yourself out. I’ll bet you haven’t eaten all day.” Rene seemed surprised: “I guess I haven’t.” "Then, now is time to begin. Get cleaned up and come along with me. You need recreation, to say nothing of a hunk of steak.” The first question Wild asked Lynn that night when he met her was whether she had talked to Rene. “Yes.” Her eyes were shadowed. “We’ll talk about it later.” At the apartment, Wild turned to Lynn and put both hands on her shoulders. “Look at me. Do you want to marrv me?” He shook her gently. "Yes.” He drew her into his arms. "Then what is it?” “Come over here. Wild. Sit down there. I can’t talk to you when you’re kissing me!” She had determined that tonight, she’d have it settled. No matter what might be the outcome. He leaned over and kissed the tip of her tilted nose. I (TO BE CONTINUED)

They embraced and their lips met in a kiss.