The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-01-31
I DETERMINE NOT TO RE-
TURN TO BOB. THEN
WONDER WHAT Ill
do NEXT

The street ear was bound for the
eity's central depot There l could
slip into "A corner. ms n I were walt
ing for train, and make some
plan. Meanwhile my mind kept
turning TO what had left behind.
II was 40 much easier than facing
what the future might hold for me.
II occurred TO me. for the first
time. that perhaps the entire fam.
iiy was somewhat TO blame for my
present predicament. Perhaps we
had all acted a bit too civilized thru
out the tragedy OF IIobs homecom-
ing.
Why had We not behaved In the
way OF average human beings. with.
out much nelf.eontroly
What II l had thrown myself into
Bob's unwilling arms. weeping wild.
~ and shricl<ing that l was his Low.
ing wife, what n mother had torn
her hair and tainted 10 prove the
depths OF her feeling What II
Daddy had stamped around In
righteous. patriarchni wrath? What
II chrys had called Bob hard namesf
Primitive human action might
have aroused an answering vibra.
ton in the paraiyred cells Of his
brain. Altogether. we might have
brought Bob'n memory OF me back
But not one OF us was given TO
emotional explosions. We women all
abhorred Mysteries. Even Chrys.
with all her mysticism. was n per
fectiy poised young woman.
Therefore. I. had scented the most
natural thing in the world for us to
follow quietly mothers cue about
shell shock when Bob met me. Not
one OF us had thought Il duty 90
puncture the queer envelope Of for
getfulness In which my husband was
living.
The chance for any such expert.
ment had passed UNDECIDED. But. al.
tho | was "A runaway bride. paying
supreme price for our restraint. I
did not regret the fact that we had
been guided by reason rather In.
stinct We had not had q big scene
last highland II was a record 90
be proud Of
sun. the longing for my husband
made my soul sick. why not take
III. next car back" I asked myself
And creep up to my room. and later
begin an attack upon Bots memory
OF our marrlagc9"
jumped with Joy. grew hot and
cold. and then stiffened with the
chill truth; Bob IL stubborn by ma.
ture. like CHRIS. his twin. Always
he must Judge for himself and 81.
rect his own course % action. Some
where In magazine I had once
read an article by an authority on
shril shock. and. from my Eubcon.
Ecioua mind. this statement arose 20
discourage me;
Unless Hheiishock patient de.
kires TO get well. no treatment can
euro him"
That settled II. Bob vas ignorant
OF his own condition. lie certainly
did no, desire mo for a wife. and.
until he desired somebody for
wife. there was no chance for me,
!. Wen. did not desire him for my
husband as long as he could possibly
stay away from me. The only love
worth having would be a compelling
love, an affection strong enough To
drive him back 10 my arms. All or
nothing, could not compromise.
I knew perfectly well what Mother !
Lorimcr would expect o. me were |
under her roof ! would have 10 /
act role. something between that
Of a trained nurse for bob and an /
old friend.
Doubtless Mother Lorimer must |
have been an excellent actress her. |
soif all thru that dreadful Mary |
Thomas Incident She had not fled |
from her unhappin.ss. an was do |
ing. Her course had proved right /
for herself.
And must choose my own path. /
II was my right as an individual. |
Then a voice within me whispered.
Have you aey idea what you are
going 90 do next. Jane Lorimer9'
Ito Be Continued