Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-23
The Bo1ted Door
Continued from pGgs :

Life looks like valley from a mountain
top, doesn't it? | know now why the birds
are all so happy Don't you feel like twitter-
ing, MIR. GarrIott:
Nobody can be old at six in the morning
on day like this. Isn't it good? I'm glad
I'm alive" He filled his lungs with the cool,
salty air. Its like being born all over
again. Wouldn't it be great if we could be-
gin at the beginning with the wisdom of ex-
pcrienCe?
Yes" she sighed.
PUT it was no hour for minor notes. He
~ had a question framed, when she sud-
denly raised her head with a quick, bright
look and in a moment they were off again
this time at long swinging canter which
brought them down to the harbor road which
reached out toward the inlet and the sound
Here they drew rein again and walked their
horses along the pebbly beach. A steam
yacht was nosing way through the inlet,
a large boat, schooner ri gged, with black
hull, yellow stack, and brown fittings. Abby
Kenpton watched it curiously.
THAT looks like the Alicia" she said.
Il thought the Penningtons were abroad"
1T is the Alicia" returned Garriott dryly.
Mrs. Garriott is leasing her for few
months with the privilege of buying. It's
costing something too
Don't you care for sea going boat"
ooh. yes, | suppose | should. There are
lots of things l could care for if gave myself
the chance. Frankly, we can't afford it. not
this year. AS | understand it, we are already
committed to one sunken garden, one noo-
Greek swimming pool, one new ninety horse
power racing machine, and an assorted lot of
Irish terriers and French poodles. That's
going some in a year of reduced incomes.
Now Mrs. Garriott must have the Alicia
bn &c 70 for lar 10,
know. NOrthrop doesn't, unless we draw
upon the principal account My expenses
are not large; but they add a few pennies to
the general deficit.
"How tiresome! Haveyou spoken to herr"
That why I'm here. But in the circum-
stances | don't think what | say can weigh
heavily with Mrs. Garriott. | don't expect
her to listen to me. I'll only bring one more
opportunity for discord. God knows there
are enough already"
She eyed him curiously. He hadn't scru-
pied to hide his feelings and there was a
tinge of contempt in his tone which gave her
a glimpse of his character from another an
gle. He had always seemed such big, good
humored boy. 1t was pity if his marriage
to Natalie was to make him any less whole
some.
You know, Mr.. Garriott," she said
slowly, "you and Natalie are worrying me
d great uedi. EdCH VI you SeelIlS 10 DE taxing
particular pains to do deliberately the things
that will cause you misfortune. In a way
I'm responsible. If had let you go back
to the West when you planned to. perhaps
this marriage wouldn't have taken place"
I'm sure it wouldn't l think l must
have done it to please you"
You mustn't talk like that" she cried
''You know it isn't true. | can't take more
than my share of the responsibility. You
were in love with her then-or you wouldn't
have married her.
He laughed obstinately. Il married her
because you told me to. I'm sure l did
can't find any other reason"
She lowered her eyes before his. you
love her now" she persisted soberly, "more
than ever. I'm not easily deceived 1t
would be amusing if it wasn't quite sad.
Life is a curious mixture of oppoSites. Love
and hate are much like laughing and crying,
Mr.. Garriott; you can do them both at the
same time. Oh, don't blame you for hid
ing your feelings. 1t wouldn't do for Ma
tale to know just now. She's sophsticat-
ing. She gives every appearance of dislik-
ing you great deal; but then that may be
an early SVmDtOm of LOVING Won u,,ite