The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-05-31

0ELOllIS JOSEPH NANG8S ~

the room
What's the big idea, sitting
all alone In the dark" At the
sconces and, blinking, saw her.
Gust our luck!" he grumbled,
trying to sound disconsolate.
What do you think, sweetheart?
Fanny says they can't come to-
night; Harry's laid up. got assick
headache or something, and she
doesn't think she ought to leave
him wonder if you mind dina
ing here with me alone, this once.
I can't very well go out with this
foot. Eth? What do you Think"
Lucinda made no sound HIS
eyes narrowed as he perceived the
abnormal absence of color in her
face, the dark dilation OF her I'M
wavering eyes. Limping, he ap-
preached.
whats the matter, Linda? Not
cross with me, are you?
An entreating hand silenced
him. All in a breath Lucinda said,
Lynn why didn't you ever tell.
me you were married -
Summerla said "DamnationH
half under his breath and, moved
nearer, till another fhltter OF her
hand stopped him. THAT wise hus-
band OF yours!" he exploded then.
yindictiyely. II suppose he's been
spilling all he knows
did Bel know? Yes: / presu me
he must have. But you're miStak-
en-, he didn't tell me. 1t was this
Summer1ad frowned at loss to
identify the volume in her extend
ed hand.
II found it. Lynn, quite by ac-
cident, while ! was waiting. Hope S
Indian Love Lyrics. Don't you
remember? See, it's inscribed:
TO my Lynn, on the first aSn1-
yersary of our marriage, with all
my heart, Nelly And then this
picture of you two, published aft
ter you came here to live Oh!
Lynn! Why did you lie to me
about that poor gir1?'
For moment Summerlad
gnawed his underlip without at
tempting to reply. Then with a
sign of despair he retreated to one
end of the club-lounge, against
which he rested, to ease his foot.
He said something in an angry
humble, as Lucinda followed into
Il thought I could keep it from
Till when? Till what?" He
growled, fnarticulate with veNa-
making such fool of myself
Since you don't live togeth-
er. why aren't you divorced?'
NELLY said If l tried to divorce
her she'd fight back, and she
knows ~
He didn't finish. but shut his
teeth on a laundering tongue and
looked more than ever guilty. But
Lucinda was in a pitiless temper.
about you? You mean-about
you and other women"
Hang it all! I've never pre-
tended to be saint, have 1t, LIN
da?"
mo wonder the poor thing
hated the sight of me! Oh,
bow could you have been so I'M
kind"
III you'd only give me show
to explain
Her lip curied: Explain"
.I've been doing my best"
Summerlad argued resentfully.
when 1 saw how it was going to
be with you and me, and found
out NelIy'd come back to Holly
wood, l went to her and had
things out-gave her some
money and promised her more, on
the 9Th of her promise to go
back home and get a divorce on
the dead quiet"
and did you hope to keep that
a secret from me?"
MY name isn't Sumnerlad, any
more than hers is Marquis-or
yours Lee. = thought I'd I
thought everything was going to
be all right till she turned up
again with your officious hus-
band"
r"You think Bel had something
to do"
He wanted Nelly on the spot
as a sort of club over my head.
He hasn't given you up yet
Summerlad laughed shortly-''not
by long sight"
"A club over your head? l
don't understand
Not meaning to use it SO long
as we behaved ourselves"
Behaved ourselves! Lynn"
Oh, forgive me! I didn't mean
to say that"
Summedlad's look mirrored
real and poignant contrition as he
saw her coloring with affronted
sensibality drawing back from
him, momentarily Slipping farther
beyond his reach. Linda!" he
mplored-"don't look at me that
way"
Suddenly. before she could stir
to escape, hei caught her to him
and held her fast.
Linda, sweetheart! don't be
angry with me. I've tried so hard
to be good enough to you. And
loved me, too! Don't
let this rotten accident spoil every
thing for us. II you love me
and you know 1 love you-what
does anything matter? What If
we are both married? What diff
ference need that make? Love can
still be sweet
She made no show of opposition
only drew back her head to cheat
his lips; but when she tried to
brave his eyes. thinking to read
therein his heart and mind, she
wiDced from, racooD{tiou of the