The Washington herald., 1921-04-24
By Dana Gatlin

Of course you won'ti Now tell me you're
going to be sane and strong"
But she only answered:
no. I'm not sane and strong
Tell me you won't see this man again"
he urged.
She said nothing But her eyes cleaned
reckless, wild, undisciplfned. And look
Ing at her rs her father had looked at
her long before, the doctor feared for
what she might do-guided by those eyes.
Beginning TO feel the hopelessness of
words yet constrained TO use them be-
cause words were the only hope, he
urged:
Anne. try to .iisten-to use your in
teilisence. You have creed Of right
and wrong- .... ..-
20. once thought ! had" she broke In
impatientiy. but now don't know.
only know that whatever happens to me.
/ wsat always TO take II as tust one
more experiences Of life. Life! Well.
some day. maybe I'll stop breaking my
wings and look back st life with peace
and caim--some day-vhea an ola"
with that. desperate face. those wilifuI
lips. those msddsning eyes turned on him.
the doetsr fsit that the most he could
hope TO do now, was to comfort.
It'll come out all fiGht-it's bound to-"
Then he nnsefs once more t~insd
amongst his. like . child's.
"I only want little happiness. doctor
"A little peace"
Happiness! Peace!
There vas nothing left for the doctor
to do but go.
TIL telephone you tomorrow" he said.
i"win you so to bed early and try to
sIeep!"
yes" said Perdita-
But she did not keep her promise. Be-
cause that night Lenmore teIephoned.
His voice over the wire was as cheer
fully casual as though no cloud had ever
risen between them. Perdita made her
own casual shade too cssusi-ss she
answered: .'
%. I'm doing nothing especially" and
Yes, you can come up awhile"
But when Lenmore. on his arrival. said
his motor was downstairs and suggested
Q ride and when she found herself agree
ing to 60 she knew that she was like
some locomotive engineer gone mad. run
ming headlong past block signals.
They rode out to Long Island. across the
bridge, where the East River. 50 drae by
day. was wearing her lights like Jewels
on spiendid satin. n. away from the
brilliant city where men strive to put
away the night with a million ineandes-
cents. through scattered. DINNER. towns:
beyond: to where could show . million
stars-friendiy. winkinE stars: and
rising moon. an opulent flower Of gold.
See" said Perdita- The moon looks
like some hery tropical hover-s miracu-
lous hower. without . stem"
why TAX about the moon" said Len
more. His tone sounded curt.
why not." She tried TO make hers
light. ....,...
And then. without other answer. he
stopped the motor and abruptly caught
her to hinA e:
once sgsin' she pulled herself away.
NE. noi--pIease!-
Very weH" He let her 20. straight
ened. turned to the wheel and restsrted
the motor.
master the trembling that swept over her.
She didn't know one could tremble SO
trembling inside, too. And Il had come
so suddenly: somethins ihsi~e hers -iE
yet over which her will seemed power.
less something within her that number
her Will against sternness. nullihed her
tenets, abased her pride-iike some trai-
tor in . beIeaEuered fortress Who BE-.
trays its own stronghold.
She tried to rouse herself from her
apathy. to call out her seif-respect, ha.
tired for her own laxity. hatred for the
man sitting there so seIf-eontained. al.
most Indifferent. intent on that steerins
wheel. was indirerent-just q hard
csIIoused cynic with no merely no true
gentleness left in him.
Then Lenmore turned bis head and
glanced at her. and she felt, even befor'
she looked. that he was smiling that
winning smile Of his.
WELL" he inquired lightly. lis IL de-
cided. Am 1 to be forgiven my enor'
moust crime?"
Testing again! Perdita knew well ths
II was no time for her to countenanc'
jesting. She wanted to be stern. WHY
was II so hard to be harsh. angry, wher
he smiled like that: Smiling. he didn'
seem ons TO be feared; there must b
sympathy and kindness behind such ,
smile. She had an impulse to be com
pIeteIy frank-to throw herself and he
weakness on his understanding and gen
erosity.
Yes. I'll forgive you" she answered
again"
"why notT" He vas still smiling.
"Beeause-I like you to kiss me"
o. Perdita!
but you must promise never to kiss m
She had hardly spoken when Lsnmor'
again caught her to him-she felt hi
Iips auiyering-her own auivered agaihs
those quiverinE lips.
She pushed his face from hers.
NO! Mol" she exclaimed. DO you wan
to make me really sngry? I'll be resii.
snxry II you don't stop-pesse"
But he still held her. He even IsuEhe,
aloud, . little low, exultant laugh. toss
ing back his head 50 she could see hi
eyes bold and shining in the moonlight
on. .nryx then" he nnurrsured "wha
does Q madmsn care for that kind Of an
ger. And I'm mad-utterly mad-sbou
your
p..S;t. ,x.,.S .t bir fssctnntsA