The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-06-22

SOH0C SNCT F1CTe anu Mss We
ship" he cried out "It's grotesqut
perversiOn of the facts to say you
haven't"
She smiled at him as she shook her
head. "Pve spent too many months
trying to get it and seeing myself fail
oh, so ridiculOusly mot to know
what I'm talking about, Roddy."
And then, still smiling rather sadly
she told him what some of the expert
ments had been-some of her attempts
to break into the life he kept locked
away from her. 81 was angry at first
when / found you keeping me out, y
she said, "angry and hurt. used to
cry about 1t. And then l saw it wasn't
your fault. That's how l discovered
friendship had to be earned"
But her power to maintain that atti-
tude of grave detachment was about
spent. The passion mounted in her
voice and in her eyes as she went on.
"You thought my mind had got full of
wild ideas-the wild idea ! was pulling
you down from something free and fine
that you had been, to something that
you despised yourself for being and
had to try to deny you were. You
were wrong about that, Roddy.
81 did have an obsession, but it
wasn't the thing you thought. 1t was
an obsession that kept me quiet, and
contented and happy, and willing to
wait in spite Of everything. The OBJ
session was that none of those things
mattered because big miracle was
coming that was going to change it all.
l was going to have a job at last-a
job that was just as real as yours
the job of being mother"
Her voice broke in a fierce, sharp
little laugh over the word, but she got
it back in control again.
81 was going to have baby to keep
alive with my own care. There was
going to be responsibility and hard
work, things that demanded courage
and endurance and sacrifice. could
earn your friendship with that, said.
That was the real ObsessiOn, Roddy,
and it never really died until tonight.
Well, l suppose can't complain. It's
over, that's the main thing.
"And now, here l am perfectly nor
NAL and well again-as good as ever.
could wear pretty clothes again and
start going out just as did year ago,
People would admire me, and you'd be
pleased, and you'd love me as much
as ever, and it would all be like the
paradise it was last year, except for
one thing. The one thing is that if
do that, I'll know this time what
really am"
With dangerous light Of anger in |
his eyes, he said quietly: ITS perfect |
ly outrageous that you should talk like |
that, and I'll ask you never to do 1t
again."
After ten seconds Of silence, she
went on "Why, Roddy, I've heard you
describe me hundred times. Not the
you that's my lover. The other you
talking all over the universe to Barry
Lake. You've described the woman
NIO ntNGL DGGH IIuIhCu IlOl tuuSIl
lor disciplined; who's been brought up
soft, with the bloom on, for the pur-
bose of making her marriageable;
Who's never found her job in marriage,
Who doesn't cook, nor sew, nor spin,
lor even take care of her own chill
lren; the woman who uses her charm
o save her from having to do hard,
Ugly things, and keep her in luxury.
DO you remember what you've called
Ter, ROddy?
II didn't understand any of that
vhen you married me, Roddy; it was
ust like a dream to me-like fairy
tory come true. But understand
ow. How can you be sure, knowing
hat my position in the world, my
riends, oh. the very clothes on my
ack, and the roof over my head, are
ependent on your love-hOw are you l
Ding TO be sure that my love for you '