Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-10-20

walking with her through this very
park Something of the old jealousy
touched her for a moment. She would
never be able to forget even IL she lived
for years and years; the memory Of the
woman who had wrecked her happiness
would always be there between them--a
hadow which II was impossible to BAN
sh.
What about some lunch?" said Jimmy
presently: 'Tt Is half past 12."
Il should like to ask Mr.. sangster TO
come with U.S." Christine said quickly.
"an find him?"
Il can phone. He's not on the phone
himself, but the people downstairs will
Jake a message. If you don't mind wait.
ing Tor moment.
II don't mind at ALL"
She was dreading another tete-a-tete
lunch with her husband It had been in
ner mind all tho morning to suggest that
Sangster como with them. She remem-
bered bitterly how once Jimmy had sug-
gested bringing his friend to share their
wedding breakfast. Things had strange.
" reversed themselves since that morn
Ing.
:. She waited outside the call box while
Jimmy went In; she watched him
through the glass door. He was standing
with his hat at the back of his head his
SIooW ISstlHB On tHC "OOUe1 DOX ltSeIT,
He looked very young, she thought In
spite or his slightly hoggard appearance.
Something In his attitude reminded her
OF him as he had been in his Eton days
ong-legged and ungainly In his short
Jacket. She smothered a little sigh.
They had drifted such weary way since
then; too far to ever retrace their steps.
Presently he rejoined her.
II am sorry. Sangster Is not In"
"Oh!' She looked disappointed. "Is
there-isnt there any one else we can
ask?'
His eyes searched her flushed face bit.
terry.
You hate being alone with me as
much as all that?"
II only thought It would be moro
lively"
"You find me such dull company"
She made no reply
Things have changed since we were
, then. savagely. you were pleased
| enough to be with me then; you never
wanted a third"
Things are reversed-that is ALL" she
told him Internationally.
He laughed ironically.
II don't think you know quite how sue
ccssfully you are paying me out" he
| said. :
Il would rather not talk about IT," she
Interrupted. 1T can DO no good I have
uOHc ub sOu dbhtu T1c , L tOlu you L COulu
do no more; that you must expect moth
Ing more"
There was a little silence.
I'm sorry" said Jimmy. stitledly.
They lunched together.
"l,ll get some tickets for theatreto
| won't it,"
,"I didn't say I found the time drag"
she told him. a
answered savagely.
1t was such an extraordinary situa-
tion--that Christine should ever be bored
| with him. 1t cut Jimmy to the heart
he looked at her with anger.
She was leaning back In her chair
| looking round the room. She was as
| been In her.
Twenty times during the day he cursed
| himself for the mad infatuation that
had wrecked his happiness. There was
Christine. He would have given his soul
| Just then for one of her old radiant
smiles-for Just q glimpse OF the light IN
| her eyes which had always been there
when she looked at him. for the note OF
| shy happiness In her voice when she
| spoke to him.
The days of delirium which he had
| spent with Cynthia Farrow seemed like
an impossible dream now, when he
| looked back on them the late nights and
bupptTS, tIc BidIc OI tHt
footllghts: the glamour and grease pain-
Of the theatre. His soul sickened at
the thought of the unnatural life he had
led then. All he wanted now was
quiet happiness---the life Of domesticity
lievng II would be his lot as Christine's
husband, seemed the most desirable thing
on earth Just he and she-perhaps down
in the country--walking through fields
and woods. perhaps at Upton House,
1, ,,I - Sll
them together again and wipe out the
hard bitterness from little Christine's
brown eyes.
1t was pouring with rain when they
left the restaurant: the bright sunshine
Of the morning had utterly gone. the
street was dripping, the pavements sat
urated.
1--WE shall have to go home, I suppose"
said Jimmy lugubriously.
Homer" Christine looked up at him
do you mean to the hotel?" she asked
II suppose SO. unless you would care
flushing a little There's sure to be a
nre there. and-and it's pretty comfort
For a moment she hesitated, and his
heartbeats quickened a little, hoping she
would agree to the suggestion but the
next moment she shook her head.
II don't care to"thank you. will
go back to the hotel"
and despondent once more. They drove
away In silence.
Presently:
II will go to your rooms if--if you
will answer me one thing" said Chris
jimmy stared. The color ran into his
II will answer anything you like to
ask me-you know will"
''Did--did Miss Farrow ever go to
your roomsT
She asked the question tremblingly,
she could not look at him. With a sud
den movement Iimnlv dropned his face
In his hands; the hot blood seemed to
scorch him: this sudden mention of a
name he had never wished to hear again
was almost unbearable.
Yes" he said, "she did" He looked
that" he broke out agitatedly.. He cav
the cold disdain In her averted face.
"she lived such a different life from
anything you can possibly imagine. It's
--well-It's like being in another world.
Women on the stage think nothing Of
of---the free-and-easy sort Of thing. She
used to como to my rooms to tea. She
used to bring her friends In after the
theatre-after Fehearsals." He leaned
over as IL to take her hand, then drew
his own away again. II ask you to
come now because-because thought
want to forget. Can't you ever forget
too? Can't you ever try to forgive me?
It's-it's-awful to think that we may
have to live together all our lives and
that youn never look at me again as
YOU used to-never be glad to see me,
never want mo to touch you" His voice
broke he bit his lips till It bled.
Christine clasped her hands hard In
| her lap.
,c,oNTINIJED TOMORROW