The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1919-07-26
THE CLOSED DOOR
by FREDERICK CLARK.

W. IT, - E' Nv ff'
trance, His going each morning ant
his return Mt night were The event,
of Paula's day, Nothing else held fol
her the absorbing interest Of this pass
ing glance of her husbands face ant
figure.
Her violet eyes would widen wIst
fully, or would overflow with tears. rs
she sat for moments after his depart
ure. Sometimes her eager hoping was
rewarded by n covert glance in hen
hidden direction, but o~ftencr her hus.
band passed on. resolutely aloof.
"lIow long was II to go on" she won
dSied 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
wns after the blow had fallen. destroy
ing hope of happiness.
Paula. ut first, had believed that in
iured pride was responsible for her
sufrcrings then came the heart break
ing realization Of her love for David.
and had not known. How could she
have been so blind2 Why. her lips had
oycrnoWed continually IN suatrhes Of
Joyous song as she moved about IN
her now home. aud pavid's. Every
gown she selected had been with y
thought of pleasing David indeed. ev-
cry thought had Sen 70 him She
bad not known the meaning Of it ali,
because the fancy of au old infatua-
tion stilI possessed her.
she had been but a school girl when
Teddy Van cafue counting. Opposition
upon her parents side but added to
determination upon hers to he Teddy's
wife. He was q lovablc youth, his very
poverty gained for him her champion
ship. And when affairs between the
two promised 10 become serious,
Paula's mother. in defense. presented
Burns-irreproaChable, success
FIJI 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 nil would
well. But in some unaccountabIe
way. when Teddy had been for some
absent. Paula. overwhelmed by
her mothers opportunities, and inilu-
Rnced by David BURNS persistence,
had married him. In n blaze of SO
eiety glory,
Teddy was forgotten in the happy
which followed. Old Dad
llone was still concerned, fearful lest
mothers perstasions had been unwise-
" forced where love held sway.
The, blow which had severed Paula's
happiness came in q well-meant letter
rom mother-a letter assuring Paula
hat her judgment in the choice of n
husband for her daughter had been
most wise.
"In your Splendid home, with your
inc social position" wrote mother,
you will realize that the love for
Teddy Van, which seemed to you so
worth having And David had read
hat letter-there was the tragedy.
He had opened 1t while Paula was
nut of town. His mother-in-Iaw had
Intended paying them a visit. rs she
Iad purposed. and was writing. advis-
ng them when to meet her ut the sta
ion. David desired to know the time
+ meeting. and read instead of his
deception.
When Paula returned he had faced
err with the accusation of love for
mother man while marrying him for
benefit. And poor Paula. be-
ewing herself In the truth of his ac-
usation, could but turn dumbly from
hurt Of her husbands eyes
It was later. through days of Danish
rent from his presence, that full
nowledge came to her of her W
eep love for him. But David had left
on the night of condemnation.
"If your love Is not mine. neither
re you mine. Paula" he had said, and
%resolutely. he had closed the
.or-the only door which gave pas
lge through the hall. Since then they
nd lived silently apart, unchanged
nly in the eyes of the world. And
auIa, knowing the bitterness OF the
low she had dealt David's great love.
,uld still find no way to open the door
Is will had closed.
She was In the long room Mt twi-
ght again. eager for her glimpse of
pr husbands coming. Upon the table
le found n letter addressed In her
Ither's flowing hand.
"Old dad is coming to see you. girl"
le read. Cant seem to rest easy
my mind about that matrimonial
of yours-got to come and find
IL o and that husband Of yours
% as happy as mother thinks you are.
OF to know for sure, because the doc
# says I won't be here long. I've had
sort Of stroke and Well. ] can't
ave you, girl, until I'm sure you're
,ppy. I'll be with you tomorrow
ad."
with O little cry. Paula ran and
ipped the letter under the closed
,or. Tears were upon her cheeks.
ID as she waited breathlessly the
,or swung wide: her husband stood
fore her, the letter in his hand.
For old dads sake, Paula" he said
dly. But Paula WIS in his arms.
'For my sake, too. David" she cried.
ads letter was the key to open the
,or. but II love you, David"
And. looking into her eyes, he knew
@ truth.
1919. Western Newspaper Union)