Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-04-04
The Reckless
Hour *
By Iz0IA FORESTER
Copyright. l9O4. by lola Forester

COpyr1sht, lSUA. Dy lZOlA fOrresier
L------..@ -
When she came out of the thcater
all Of the carriages had i:one except
Ope. Some one stood beside it wait
ing.
She stood for Il mOnlcnt In the lobby
entrance and fastened the diamond
clasp on the chiffon and lace stole
around her throat. The pin had been
safe enough She had volunteered go
Ing back to the boxes for it. and had
| found ii sticking in the velvet arih of
Aunt Victoria's chair, just where she
had left 1t.
Did you think that I was never
cominSy' she asked rs he reached
the carriage. The figure turned
quickly ut tie sound Of her voice. and
she found herself looking into Thorn
tons eyes. she caught her breath anG
stopped abruptly, startled and hest
tating, afraid to let him guess the great
food of gladness that swept over her
ut sight of him. When one believes
person to be in Manchuria il Is some
what bewil,iering to meet that person
alone Oh Broadway at IL p. m.
He did not speak. merely opened the
door for her.
"There Is some mistake" she paused.
"Of course there is mistake. There
always is when come in for anything
good. The fact remains that the rest
have gone and that was told to wait
for you"
"Who told you to waltz"
He took her by the elbow and helped
her impcrativeIy into the carriage.
81 was with Mrs. Culverton. Size was
in the third box. and was late. Then
Gully came along and took her home
himself. believe your aunt told him
to wait for you, but lie wanted TO go
directly home, 50 took his place. You
don't believe me?"
"Oh, yes, l do. At least | believe
part Of It, You always twist the truth
and the fairy tale together so perfectly
one cnn only guess ut which is%yhich.
I believe That Mr. Culverton was asked
to wit for me-"
Thornton ignored the discrimination.
He was gazing intently ut the pale
young face 1t must be true all he had
heard at the club. She did not look
happy. 1t was Vic Wilmington's affair.
the Gis ding up of Estevan. She always
had some penny title tagging
after her. 1t was only three weeks off
now. The thought brought with it
fash of recklessness. They would have
her for lifetime. Tonight for one
short half hour she was his. He leaned
Oyar, her suddenly.
Gladys. are you sorry to see me?'
Don't" Her eyes met his in half de-
fiant catreaty. 1T isn't fair"
Fair to whom?
"'ro him.
Thornton's jaws squared aggressive
ly.
"Ic hasn't anything to say about II
yet. You needn't be frightened. The
wolf won't eat you. Won't they even
Lei YOU b. g,ad or Sorry
Don't: please. please DON'T
Say YOU are glad to see me-"
I'm not glad to see you. You went
away OF your own free will. | wish
you had stayed
Until ii wls Over:'
NO. forever she retocted passion
atcly. II never wanted TO see you
again"
He smiled. 1t was Gladys way to
make one last final charge when she
knew she lad lost the day.
You never wanted to see me again.
he repeated, "Dceausc you are s)ias to
marry II ilal for whom you do.i't care
IL snap Of your finger. and you did love
me-"
~ did not" She faced him with
pro:d. hurt eye; and flushed checks.
He laughed with Il riot0u; sense of
hardness III her pain. If he still had
tie power 10 hurt her there was hope.
1t waI the reckless hour.
You Cid, ;wecthcart, and you do
now. and YOU always will. foA Know
YOU will Manchuria or the NOON. 1t
won't make any difference, not If you
marry Il hundred times. not II it's years
before we meet. | can always come
back Ike this and look in yoGr eyes
like this and see love In them like
thi;."
She met his steady gaze, deiiantly
at first. then in open confession, as
he said. and before he knew it she
hal covered her face with her hands
ana was crying. He felt suddenly
helpless and ashamed.
GLADYS. don't do that. I'm brute
dear. I'm sorry wont say another
word. I'm going back this week. Stop.
dear. Gladys
He deliberately drew her hands away
from her face. 1t WAS Il dear face.
He had carried its memory with him
around the world and it had brought
him back to the starting point. lie had
been poor-not decently, openly pocr.
bit living on hope and blue sky ana
terrapin. There was another Darby
Thornton who bestowed systematically
uneypccted and irregular checks on an
undcserving grandson. also advice ana
admonitions. The weight Of gratitude
had become too trying. Darby had
never been able to even up the balance
between the acceptance Of the checks
and the following out Of the gDn.l ad-