Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-03
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR MARCH 8. 1912

son by the hand. Fay. still holding the
other, stood modestly with her conquering
eyes doWncast:
"Victor, YOU have drunk too much. Drop
that girls hand at once, and let me take you
home!"
Unmindful of their manners in the desper-
ate interest of the scene thus enacted before
them. Mrs Cobb's guests crowded close in
ring, joStled one anothers shoulders, even
climbed on chairs for a better view. Around
us there was no noise but their strained
breathing, together with the monotonous
music from the stage and the occasional
clink of glasses from the other tables. Vic
tor shook off his mothers hand as though it
had been a butterfly.
mo. Mother, my mind is made up. /
can't stand this any more. Lii doesn't want
to marry me- any more than want to marry
her. Here's the girl | want for my wife
and by Heaven I'm going to have herr
In their two faces there was something
terrible,-these two faces of mother and of
son, stamped not only in the same image but
in the same mask of tragic rage and of bitter
resolution-and turned against each other.
Mrs. Cobb spoke first in choked voice.
you desert me, your mother? You desert
Lilio You marry this-this person? Vic
tor, YOU know the consequences!
Her sons voice seemed the echo of hers.
identical in tone as in intensity. keep your
monev-that is, my fathers money. You've
treated me like a child long enough! Now
I'm man, and by Heaven I'll take mans
rights. | guess | can work for my wife as
we'll as the next fellow. Will you marry me
without penny, Fay?"
For answer she chung to his arm. Yes,
perhaps she loved him after all; for what
else but love could have worked that mira
{t,at =, Ill y, do of
egotisIn and self indulgence, have galvanized
that inert hulk into life, could have made of
Victor Cobb, as he himself said, man?
WANTED to clap my hands in pure adnira-
ton, to shout Bravo, Victor!' after him as
still holding Fay by the hand, he walked
resolutely away toward the elevator. His
mother, as though turned to stone, stood
gazing after him with anguished eyes.
Upon my world" l heard voice mutter
~ somewhere near me. "One has to
admire the fellow, after all!'
Right you are!' | wanted to cry out in
response. But a sudden thought came to
me and took my breath. Since of his own
free-free to go to Henry!
All, Henry, my dear, dear Henry! The
thought of him in that instant was too much
for me, and | began to cry.
Instantly and from all quarters there was
a rush of consolation toward me. From the
deserving bridegroom, attention was at once
recalled to focus itself upon the deserted
bride
~Ah, poor little thing! Made
moiselle, try to control yourself. Poor
little creature, what a tragedy for her."-
While somewhere in the immediate back
ground heard Aunt Elizabeth S voice BOOM
ing majestically:
Il have heard much, Mrs. Cobb, of the
disobedience of American children; but
must say, Your SON
While Portia S voice, thin and correct, in
my ear, There, don't cry, poor Lii. It's
really too distressing pity you with all
my heart!"
But through the compassion of her words
struck note OF secret pleasure that | under
stood,-in a few short hours had not our
positions, according to all human probable
ity, been precisely reversed? And Portia
was pitying me. triumphing over me! The
idea was too ridiculous, and | burst out
laughing Then, somehow, the laughter got
tangled up with the tears, and when tried
to stop laughing | found that | couldn't.
But the absurd part of it was, all the time |
was laughing for sheer happiness-.Henry,
Henry, | was free to go to you at last.
SO the hubbub around me increased.