The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1921-08-07
Chapter 10.
ALMOST A CONFESSION.

ALMOST A CONFESSION.
She tried not to see David. lie did
not ask her to dine with him when
Lois was In town, though one even
ing she saw him al a concert with
"A man at a time whom she knew
Lois to be home. She wondered
whether they ever did go out to-
gether.
Then. to, Lawrence came TO see
her over the Christmas holidays lie
was very tender n gentle and
sweet. Alice felt. as Hhe had never
felt before. hat curious wistful
quality that he had. lie look her
to visit a friend Of his mothers. a
charming old lady who a a house
In New England and who kept Alice
with her New Years day, when
Lawrence had to go back.
She saw David onc a week when
he lectured to her class, but, aside
from that, not for almost two
months. Then one morning. as she
was leaving the building after the
biology class was through for the
day. he caught up with her.
Come TO Nardoli's for lunch he
begged. Il haven't seen you for 80
long"
Unwilling to say yes. hut unable
to say no, Alice let herself be taken
to the quiet little tea room where
she had seen hin before.
How In LOis7" she asked. THIS
always seemed TO good question:. II
built up a fence between them and
made them both realize their posi-
tions-he was married, she was en-
gagged.
Lois In rot we'll" he answered
'Sh" caught n grippy cold by get
ting oNerh"Rtrd at a lance
I'm sorry" Alice murmured per.
f%unctorly.
I'm afraid I'm not" David an
Hwercd. she Will not wrap up
properly when she In uverheated, and
she viii not listen TO sensible advice.
Sha likes TO dance all night. almost
every night. and refuses to take care
Of herself M she should sympathy
gives out and annoyance sets In un-
der hose circumstances"
All feeling OF constraint had been
lost between them long ago. Alice
had talked a lot about Lawrence: II
seemed natural enough for them to
be talking now Of Lots.
Where In she2" Alice asked.
In CharR" Of an excellent nurse
In her apartment"
In her apartment The words
escaped from Alice before she could
stop them. h turner red.
In her apartment You don't i'm
aEine she's living In mine, do your"
David asked with u trace 90 sarcasm
10 hts tone.
But thought-ihRt Is. she wrote
" Alice grew still more red with
embarrassment
Il know she wrote you that we
we're married She wrote a week
after the marriage and told me a
month later David said, But
she's had her own separate apart
ment for over "a a She said We
would both be happier living sepa-
rately. since l didn't Ike any Of her
s.-.N. - H.. NNNvaHs ..~A TO- ia
u mine. She was right. We are
hnppier-both OF U.S. His voice
had become hard as he spoke. Alice
had never seen this mood.
she said II very -weetly. as you
can Imagine. She was very aff-c-
Tomato. She purrcd like u ltttl"
kitten ana said | was the dearest
man In the world to understand and
not fuss. And | checrfully rented
aud furnished another place for
her"
But ! didn't know thought
You were In love with her Alice
did not know how To handle this
situation at all.
Lois IL the sort OF woman every
man loses his head about for a
time David said shes q liberal
education to most or them. The at
fair is harmless enough, for Lois Is
Incapable of giving anything In re-
Turn for their alteration. as she rs
Of holding their love tor any length
Of time.
Lois did fasoinutc me She was
soft and pleasing, she had q devils
instinct for appearing when I a
llu. or lonely and yoaNiUg mo into
q better mood She could get any
thIuE out OF me. and I'd never know
thp was doing u. She can do II vet
She made me promise To- doubl" her
allowance. At least she says !
promised ! don't remember doing
30. but she says ! did
Did she max" YOU ask her to
marry you that way" Alice asked
with sudden sarcasm.
yes, she did, Hc fairly hlazod
Il out. to Alic"'s nmazem"nt she
rays I proposed to her. I don't re-
member did kiss her, | know
that and the next thing ! romrm-
Der was her arms around my neck
aud hrr cooling voice saving how
glad she wac I loved her"
lie broke OF suddenly, then went
On. y did love her after q fashion
untii I found out how calm and
cruel and selfish she was beneath her
poftn"ss Sh" never loved m"-shc
isn't capable OF loving anyone bu
herself"
IL put his hand out across the
littl" tnbl" and laid II over Alio"'s
why did You break of our engage.
mpnt o." ne asked ficrcolv. You
took away my dofcns" against her
and q man needs defense against
that tNp. 81 woman Alice, " YOU
knew you'll think me weak and q
coward 10 talk this way, ana per.
hups am Perhaps n was your
wonderful strength that Attracted
me, you magnificent optimism.
your"
"pou'u' Alice cried unable to
stand any more.
SYNOPSIS on PRECEDING
CHAPTERS
NliCr Fairbanks has won her way