Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-07-07
BY JOSEPH DUNN


tion. Here was n chance to cancel It. wild,
impractical plans crowded her mind. AT
ihst one came that seemed feasible
Breathless action crowded the next few
hours Having telephoned Norwood. she
drove by for him and they dashed out to
the sanatorium~ They found Margaret In a
cell-like room, paralyzed with terror. She
admitted having been lured there by note
| stating that a friend was in distress but
not saying the note had asserted Il was Ken
nedy.
Norwood. furiousiy indignant, demanded
her instant relief, ignoring the protest Of
the physician, he swept her down to the
/ waiting car and they were out OF the
grounds before the guards could stop them.
II was not until they were several miles
! beyond the sanatorium that the car slowed
down to normal speed and they relaxed
their held breath
To Margaret's faltered gratitude Mary
was coldly unresponsive. Now that Mar
saret waa safe all her Jealous animosity
! surged back. with anxious soliCitude Nor
wood helped Margaret out when they drew
up before her apartment. His love for her
mad been very evident in the last hour and
he was plainly disappointed when Mary
quietly remarked that she would go up with
Miss Warner
CrG ng Margaret not to overtaN her
strength and saying he would telephone
that evening, Norwood saw them to the
elevator.
In her own rooms Margaret faced Mary
| with poignant embarra ssment
Wont YOU be seated awkwardly a
deep hush dyeinE her pallor. II hardly
know how TO thank you"
i've been in your debt since the night
of the fire" interrupted Mary coldly. Now
that is carceled, and can say what I
wish-what for months | have forced back" A."
She paused. gripping the back Of the
| chair by which she stood. The faint flap
| ping OF a window shade emphasized the
stiffness. Then in voice whose rigidity
betrayed the effort to keep il steady; Miss
Warner, I'm going to ask YOU to end your
friendship with my husband I've known
and been silent--.for months"
y pulsatnG pause. The very air was
charged with the tenseness Of the moment.
Then Mary turned to the door with low,
| represscd sigh.
Il think | need say nothing more"
As the door closed, Margaret still stood
| dazed. Once before she had thought she
had touched the dregs Of humiliation, but
now the black, waves that cngulfed her
plunged her to abysmal depths.
1t was 3 o'clock that evening when Mar
Faret pale and tense. opened the door to
Kennedys familiar rims.
why. what does this mean?" as he
glanced around the disordered room-a
]
clothing.
I'm giving up the apartment" quietly.
Giving up the apartment" he almost
shouted
"Oh. Horace. don't I've been through too
| much can't stand It,"
you mean you're leaving the apartment
or you want to leave me?"
1T isn't what | want TO dots what
must do. What we should have done long
ago. Today-Oh, can't tell you--it's too
horrible
He took her unresistng, into his arms.
Gently he smoothed her hair. while she
sobbed on Historically. Then with forced
quiet
Did you hear om-from Mrs Kennedy?
Is that the trouble?"
She nodded, her face still hidden against
his breast.
"She wrote you?" tensely.
"Shc came here" II was hardly
whisper.
Another silence. filed by the lifting notes
of a distant Vlctrola. can you tell me
about it-or would you rather not?'
I'D rather not" chokingly.
The Victroa rinpled on In Raging
rhythm
II was afraid this would come--that I
would have to see you less. But can't
give you up altogether" His arm
frightened about her. II owe her n great
deal" huslIily, but I owe you something
too. We've gone too far-we can't break
away now"
In the hour that followed Margaret's
resistance gradually weakened. All her
resolutions broke down before the warm
magnetism of his presence. She had not
the strength to fight her own love and his
pleadings
1t ended by a compromise, They would
see each other less often. They would give