The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-12-23
The
Involuntary
Vanp

comtinxsd from Yesterday.

An awkward silence fell. Diana
wanted to ask how much of the
real truth was In the papers, but
she feared the reply. so turning to
Dale she said:
Marjorie left this afternoon for
few days at Pasadena. / had just
seen her off when you met me-"
Dale looked his surprise.
"A sudden decision. wasn't it?
saw her yesterday for a brief mo-
ment and she said nothing of it,"
Diana nodded. She wanted to tell
him the whole story, but with
Johnston present there was no OPP
Dortunity.
Steve has been a brick" she said
turning to Johnston. 81 asked him
to ind you and he has been in
defatigable In his efforts"
II say, Dale" Johnston turned to
him. Il must have cost you a pref
ty penny. I understand that your
agents were looking for me from
coast to coast" =.
stiu Another.
That's all right" smiled Dale.
I'm rejoiced that you've turned up
days rest will set you up all right.
Better come up to my rooms now
and rest after your journey"
Yes, you must 60" insisted
Diana. I've kept you here too
long already. Steve, II you'll call
a taxi for me, I'll be ever so CRATE
full. Therese. whom Marjorie ap-
pointed as my duenna, will be wor-
ried at my long absence"
Dale excused himself and went
out to hail q cab.
Johnston turned to Diana a bit
shamefacedly.
IT must cut a pretty sorry ngure
in your eyes. 1t hurts me like the
devil to realize It."
But no. Don't think Of IT," she
protested.
He shook his head.
You're just being kind now. 1
know. And I'd like to have you
think of newell. otherwise. DO
Won know what I'd do II all this
halnt happenedF
"No. what?" smiled Diana.
He leaned forward.
when decent period had
elapsed. 10 Conno diouhN
YOU ~ II wasn't about time to put
aside the widows weeds and put on
the orange blossoms.
Diana was startled. but she man
aged a soft laugh and put out her
hand.
"As IL is. we're going to be good
friends, aren't weF- -,
IT shall be honored," he said
slowly.
when Dale put Diana into her
taxi he stood on the curb, stu
holding her hand as though ne
found II dificult to relinauish IL.
asT,d like to see you for few
minutes some time this evening
n. s,Is hesitantly. would 1t be
convenient? Or do you think mar
lori. wouldn't like 1t, in view OF tho
circumstancesT
Come, by all means, urseo
Diana.
In .pite Of the futility Of every
ching her heart was singing as tho
ta.i vhfrled her homeward-
Dal. came promptly at half past
eight. ,,-,..,
Diana received him IN Marjor1es
sitting room. A hne rain was fsi-
- on,side and the little room with
a., .Io,e-drawn curtains was orlsnt
and cheerful. DR.. Borden mao sent
ros.s and Diana had placed theH
in low bowls on the table ana oesk.
she had a moments misgivng AZ
sirbt OF the card tucked under the
flowers. 1t read:
$50 many days have gone oS
while 1 have tried to wait IN pa
,ienc, kwHl you never send Tor
me-, Or may / come this evening
MAX"
Man. had telephoned to the doc
tors room only to ind that he was
ont. CYNTHIA was not in her room
either, so Diana, fearing that Bor-
den might drop in and hnd psie
Their. had left a message with the
operator to be put in his box TO the
eject that she wac engaged Tor the
evening but would he please ring
her in the morning.
There was no use in further
fencing. she thought sadly one
bas nrsmised herself and now she
must make good. As Bordens Whe
sb. would be at peace and there
was no active happiness for her in
this dreary world anyway, so what
was the use of it all? She would
marry him quietly as soon as War
lori. decided tina. the conventions
would permit and they would go
To the orient for years and years.
Fv.rybody would forget about her
ana maybe she could even forget
how her heart ached for Dale.
cynthia would make pleasing sis-
ter-in-law and a much nicer COM
panion than MariDrie.
She was still busy achieving
state of mental resignation when
Dale was announced,
In her simple gown of black chif-
fon with the golden roses beside
her and the lamp light falling on
her coppery hair she made an IN
consciously alluring picture.
Facing Facts.
Dale's lips frightened and the
weary lines around his eyes deep
ened.
He seated himself across the
room from her and. asking silent
permission, lit a cigarette.
Now suppose you tell me why
Marjorie went away SO suddenly"
he said quietly. Il know. of course,
that she is offended with me-"
Diana shook her head.
TT wasn't that 1t was"
Reaching over TO the desk she
picked up, Alexis farewell letter and
handed IL to him silently.
He took IL and bending forward
into the circle of the light perused
IL slowly. He must have read II
through several times while Diana
waited silently.
Then he folded 1t and returned 1t
to her.