The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-01-29
By Ethel Storm,

tnat- Sne LOOK II Tor Er4ntco tnnt n -
would understand In any case. I accepted
their separation as final by csbilnE Angel.
asking her plans. followed the cable By
letter. suggesting that she come home az
once and stay with lie Il shs cared TO.
had nothing but silence for answer. Ne
a word from other OF them Presently ] met
one Of Byron's partners at a dinner. We
were, both Of us. determined not to question.
but he aid finally bring out the Information
that Byron was coming back to resume hs
practice.
Gossip about the keouades was just 30
ginning 70 be current talk about the town
Naturally. a. AnEela's best friend. little Of n
was brought TO my ear. But did lssrr- On
good enough authority. that Byron was mot
coming back. that he had settled In Paris q
study French law. The town would have h
that this move on his part was only prslin-
mary TO an cary divorce
And all this time. three months II mus
have been. I knew nothing OF Angola I
daresay had only to 20 across the street %
hear plenty Of tales about her. But didn't
want such information. ! wanted AnseLA
herself was piqued that she didn't want
spring. ! came In from a walk TO ind her
sitting beside my tea table. 90.
Il was cold" she announced. II didn't
wait. I'm having my tea. At that. she
laid aside her cup with reckless swiftness
and came to put her arms about me.
CT
shabbny. couldn't come before. or write.
or anything, because / wasn't miserable
enough. You would have been disappointed
II hadn't been miserable. wouldn't youT-
II was afterwards that I remembered tn,
absurdity Of her question. At the moment
thought. only. what lovely fragrant thing
she was. I hurried from her embrace %
that might have a long tipto-toe look. She
was used to such Interruptions. She took
them with easy simplicity. She stood psr>
fectly still. then turned slowly about.
The back is the best part Of thi, frock.
Picard always makes nawless backs II was
her conclusive word on the matter. and sss
once went sboY pouring my tea and even
remembered nj to put in any sugar.
You see he pursued. / was not miser-
able enough come before. I'm thoroughly
miserable Sow. I can't imagine what to do
about IT"
Staying just wher. you are is tn. nrst
step 1 essayed hopefully.
She looked across at me quickly and I saw
there were signs Of suffering beginning to
shadow her mouth.
1t can't be patched up-if that's what you
mean-by the first step. There isn't any
thing to patch. Never was. That's the trcu-
,ble. I've made sure OF that" She laughed
with a strange brightness that had the effect
of stripping away her last curtain OF defense.
l felt that Angela had. perhaps. found the
truth at the bottom OF her cup.
Its funny" she said. that should carr
to travel three thousand miles to tell you
something that you already know. You are
the only person besides myself. that possibly
could know. So 1 thought talking to you
might ease me up a bit. Between US it cen
be fearfully simple. You know how ! was
how horribly bored 1 was with any one with
out a past. How dull thought them" Sh.
sighed. and i fancied the pickering. edged
smile was one Of selfpity
married Byron in a sort Of fever &
curiosity. 1 had never really been curious
about any man before. Never had to be
They always gave themselves UP immediate.
ly-if there was anything to give. Byron
became the big exception. would have u
that there was something immense behind
his reserve. / concluded marriage was IN.
only way TO make him surrender. So. Just
to push myself of. talked out loud about
love and became intrigued with his ides
Of turning me into an artist; thought it world
be fun to try. 1t was all frightfuly easy.
I didn't know why at the time" Her. shs
paused and hated 10 have her eyes meet
mine. The bare truth Of her words founI
me unpleasantly critical. But she oEy
Strengthened in her, chair, as IL more thor
oughly to swallow her self administered msdi.
cine.
nothing to tell. His life was a clean white
page. I began to know st Immediately the
rush Of our marriage was over i was work.
ing myself into a state, when ve came here
to see you before sailing. wasn't Foinr
to admit myself fooled I couldn't give up
past for Byron; was determined that ne
should have one. And managed gradually
TO assure myself that he did-have one.
glorious. lurid, desperate past honestly
believed that time would bring the whole
fp0 Il A,Nef -.