Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-29

.-@4mFNmAysR@
can't say that's particularly pleasing
prospect"
"Thcn why ask me what I'm going to
do with it?' she flung back impatient
~. It'll be an asset-likc my looks
and-und"--
She dropped her face in her hands,
choking backAan involuntary sob. Fyfo
his arms around her.
stella. Stella |! he cried sharply
Don't be fool"
"D-don't be cross, jack" she whis
pcred. please. I'm sorry. I simply
can't help 1t. You don't understand"
"Oh, don't II" lie said savagely. II
understand too well; that's the devil
OF 1t. But I suppose that's woman's
way-to feed her soul with illusions
and let the realities go hang. Look
here"
He caught her by the shoulders and
pulled her to her feet, facing him.
There was fire In his eye, hard shut
ting together of his lips that fright
cned her little.
Look here" he said roughly. "Take
brace. Stella. Do you realize what
sort Of state Of mind you're drifting
into? You married me under more or
less compulsion-compu OF circum-
stances-nnd gradually you're begin.
ming to get dissatisfied, to pity yourself
You'll prccipitate things you maybe
don't dream Of now II you keep on
Hang 1t, I didn't create the circum-
RtnnpnCf oh
You took It, 1t satisfied you for awhile;
you can't deny 1t did. But 1t doesn't
any more. You're nursing lot Of illu-
sions, Stella, That nre going to make
your life full of misery"
I'm not" she sobbcd. Its because
I haven't any Illusions that-that-
Oh, what's the use Of talking, Jack?
I'm not complaining. I don't even know
what gave me this black mood Just
now. l suppose that queer miracle Of
my voice coming back upset me. I
feel-well, rs II l were different per
son, ,mehow--ns If had forfeited any
right have It. Oh, It's silly, you'll
say. Blu. it's there. I can't help my
fceling-or my lack Of it."
Fyfc's face whitened little His
hands dropped from her shoulders.
"Now you're talking to the point" he
said quietly. ESPECIALLY that last.
We've been married some little time
now, and, II anything. we're farther
apart In the essentials of mating than
we were Mt the beginning. You've
committed yourself to nh undertaking,
yet more and more you encourage your
self to wish for the moon. If you don't
stop dreaming and try real living, don't
you see lot Of trouble ahead for your.
self? It's simple. You're slowly har.
dening yourself against me, beginning
to resent my being factor In your
life. It's only n matter Of time If you
keep on until your emotions center
about some other man."
"Why do you talk like thatT she said
bitterly. "Do you think I've got neither
pride nor self rcspcct?"
ayes. Both a-plcnty," he answered.
but you're n woman, with a rather
complex nature even for your sex. If
your heart and your head ever clash
over anything like that you'll be in per-
feet hell until one or the other gets the.
upper hand. You're thoroughbred
and high strung as thoroughbreds are
1t takes something besides three meals
day and plenty Of good clothes to
complete your existence. If I can't
mako 1t complete some other man will
mako you think he can. Why don't
you try? Haven't I got any possibili-
ties rs lover? Can't you throw
little halo Of romance about me for
your own snke--if not for minc?''
He drew her mp close to him, stroking
tenderly tho glossy brown hair that
flowed about her shoulders
"Try It, Stella" he whispered pas
sionatcly. 'Try wanting to like Inc for
change. I can't make love by myself.
Shake OFF that Internal apathy that's
taking possession Of you where I'm
concerned. II you can't lovo me, for
Gods sake fight with me! Do some
thing!"
Looking back at that evening as the
summer wore on Stella perceived that
1t was the starting point Of many
things, no one Of them definitely out
standing by itself, but bulkIng largo as
whole. Fyfc mado his appeal, and 1t
left her unmoved save In certain super
u H lot "a