Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1919-09-26
THE CLOSED DOOR
BY FREDERICK CLARK.

he would come with his easy stride
down the white stone steps of the en-
trance. His going each morning and
his return at night were the events
of Paulas day. Nothing else held for
her the absorbing interest of this pass
ing glance Of her husbands face and
figure.
Her violet eyes would widen visit
fully, or would overflow with tears, as
she sat for moments after his depart
ure. Sometimes her eager hoping was
rewarded by a covert glance in her
! hidden direction, but oftener her hus-
band passed on resolutely aloof.
"How long was it to go on" she Won
daied sadly this tragedy of the
| closed door?"
In unspoken understanding they had
accepted their solitary living apart
ments upon either side of the long hall
! leading through the old mansion. This
was after the blow had fallen. destroy
! Ing hope of happiness.
! Paula, at first, had believed that in
| jured pride was responsible for her
sufferings; then came the heart-break-
! ing realization Of her love for David
| Always, 1t seemed, she had loved him
and had not known. How could she
have been so blind? Why, her lips had
overlooked continually in snatches Of
joyous song as she moved about in
her new home, and David's. Every
gown she selected had been with
| thought of pleasing David indeed. ev-
cry thought had been for him. She
had not known the meaning Of it all,
| because the fancy of an old infatua-
ton still possessed her.
She had been but a school girl when
Teddy Van came counting. Opposition
upon her parents side but added TO
determination upon hers to be Teddy's
wife He was a lovable youth his very
poverty gained for him her champion
ship. And when affairs between the
two promised to become serious,
Paula's mother, in defense, presented
David Burns-irreproacha success
full man of the world
Indignantly at first, then stubhornly,
Paula refused his attentions. Teddy
was furious that another man should
think of his Paula. Teddy told her TO
"hold OUT against him and all would
be well. But in some unaccOuntable
way, when Teddy had been for some
time absent, Paula, overwhelmed by
her mothers opportunities, and lnflu-
enced by David Burns persistence
had married him, in a blaze of So
ciety glory.
Teddy was forgotten in the happy
alone was still concerned, fearful lest
mothers persuasions had been unwise-
ly forced where love held sway.
The blow which had severed Paula's
happiness came In well-meant letter
from mother-a letter assuring Paula
that her judgment in the choice of
husband for her daughter had been
most wise.
"In your splendid home, with your
fine social position" wrote mother,
you will realize that the love for
Teddy Van, which seemed to you so
serious, was after all not the only thing
worth having" And David had read
that letter-there was the tragedy
He had opened it while Paula was
| out of town. His mother.in-law had
intended paying them visit, as she
had purpoSed, and was writing adyis-
ing them when to meet her at the sta
ton. David desired to know the time
of meeting and read instead of his
wife's deception.
When Paula returned he had faced
her with the accusation of love for
another man while marrying him for
material benefit And poor Paula be-
lieving herself in the truth Of his ac-
cusation. could but turn dumbly from
! the hurt Of her husbands eyes.
1t was later, through days of Danish
ment from his presence, that full
| knowledge came to her of her own
| deep love for him. But David had left
| her on the night of condemnation.
IF your love is not mine, neither
are you mine, Paula" he had said and
! then resolutely. he had closed the
| uObI ne blllN NbDI WHICH gave DdN-
sage through the hall Since then they
had lived silently apart, unchanged
only in the eyes of the world. And
Paula. knowing the bitterness of the
blow she had dealt David's great love.
could still find no way to open the door
his will had closed
She was in the long room ut twi-
light again. eager for her glimpse OF
her husbands coming. Upon the table
she found letter addressed In her
fathers flowing hand.
"Old dad is coming to see you. girl.
she read. Cant seem TO rest easy
In my mind about that matrimonial
venture of yours-g0t to come and find
out If you and that husband Of yours
are as happy as mother thinks You are
Got to know for sure. because the doc
tor says | won't be here long. I've had
sort of stroke and Well, can't
leave you. girl, until I'm sure you're
haDDV I'll he with Won tounorro,v