Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-18
CHAPTER NX
Broken Plans

NAkOL said nothing more after that |
- first effort Of hers to escape from |
situation that had become almost in
tolerable.
Nick's remark that he wondered IT, |
after all, she really loved him. had !
warned her that she must be careful. |
Not for the world would she bovc him
suspect the truth. and 50 she went on
pretending when 1t seemed that she
could not endure being alone with, Nick
another minute.
Her nerves were strung so taut that
sometimes she wanted to scream. She
Ionged to be Mt home surrounded by fa a,
miliar things and people. She felt that
once they were settled life would be
easier to bear; there would be things
to do. outside excitemcnts of all kinds.
ana fewer chances of being alone to-
gcther.
Here in the big hotel they were forced
together. There were very few people
staying there. and only = few tables in
the dining room were taken. and Nick
had chosen sthe place for its isolation
/ thinking, Of course. that Carol would
feel as he did about being absolutely
alone. 1t was the kind of a place to
love and be loved, and Carol. lying
awake at night long after Nick had
tallen asleep, grew to wonder more and
more about this love that swept people
off their feet, that made men and
women want to forget the whole world.
everything save only their delight in
each other.
However, the night after their talk
together, Nick broachcd the subject
himself.
Would you really like to cut our
visit short and go homc:"
They were on the wide ecranda with
their chairs close together. and Carol
had been dreaming idly She started
/ into consciousness at his words, but
she choked back the eager yes that had
risen to her lips.
Not unless you would
"NOu'rc tired Of it, though.
NO. ] love this place. it sra heaven
ll spot"
Nick leaned forward. 'Tistcn. Carol
don't pretend. l want YOU to feel that
you can say anything to me. I've
watched you. and I don't think you re
happy | think you re fretting to get
/ back. Shall we go tomorrow
| He almost held his breath as he walt
cd for her answer
1T would be fun" she said quickly.
and with sudden animation in her
voice. ITO steal back and surprise
every one. don't you think so?"
"Of course | do. | wanted to know
so as to make arrangements tonight"
\ few minutes later he loft her 20 90
inside. but he did not go to the desk
to inform the clerk that their plans had
changed. He walked straight through
the lobby and out Of a side door. and
stood for n moment on. the -teDs lead
ing down from the porch. which was
deserted on that side Of the hotel.
Since yesterday he had weighed carc-
fully everything Carol had said or
done. he had watched her closely and
he had como to the conclusion that she
was bored He wanted to be alone for
n few moments TO get used to the idea.
for 50 absorbed had he been with his
own happiness. With the elimination Of
all his desires. that he had hardly
thought of Carols side Of il. He had
been certain that she cared for him,
simply because she had married him.
Of course. he did not think that she
gave him the mad idolatrous love that
he gave TO her: he could not expect
that. but he had been half wild with
, happiness because she loved him enough
! to marry him.
Tonight he was not sure Of anything
doubts began to Surge through him
HUNDREDS of little things that he haC
not noticed before. because of the blind
ness of his own passion. now stood GU
with an alarming clarity.
Suppose she doesn't love me, sup
pose it isn't in me to arouse her love-
His brain kept revolving that though
over and over. as he stood thcr" un
dcrncath the stars. on tn" last nigh
. of his interrupted honeymoon.