The Washington times., 1922-02-26

the sudden death of her happiness.
the end Of her security.
II was then that Rodbourne pur-
posefully bent down to touch Pa
tricia's lips with his. The finality
Of this act unleashed in Mrs. Cal
deceit a sense of propriety. 1t was
not so much that she could not
bear to see this as that she must
not see 1t, that 1t was something
I no longer hers. upon which all
that was straight and proud for
babe her to spy. So, quickly, as
II she were fleeing, Mrs. Caldecot
pulled the door to and, without
shutting it quite, hurriedly went
away.
1t was a long time before Rod.
burne raised his head from the lips
mess OF which intoxicated him.
caused a whirl in his brain, made
his temples beat. Patricia had not
resisted him, nor responded, but
still lay in his arms, abandoned and
limp. And this enhanced his de-
light in her.
He wanted her entirely, wanted
more of her, all Of her, to be famil.
lar of that smooth skin, of the curl
ing rosy ears, the cleft chin, to
slake his thirst Of her, Of all this
freshness and this grace. So, more
ardent now, less timid than at the
first caress, he covered her cheeks.
her neck with violent kisses, re-
turning again and again to those
mute, submissive lips, as II their
his desire.
He let her 60 quite suddenly, not
knowing why. Perhaps the silent
cry from Mrs. Caldecot's tortured
spirit, as she hurried away. had Gre
ated some echo within him. In the
midst of the Joy which still about
him hung its banners. he was con
scious of immense awkwardness.
He stood back, hands outspread,
wanting to recapture Patricia into
his clasp and yet holding back.
She stood before him now, her
eyes open and in them q complex
expression, fear, a bewildered de-
light, surprise at his onset and sur
prise at finding herself released.
She was painting little and was so
tossed by her emotions that she de-
sired then only the comfort Of his
arms about her, not called by desire
but needing protection.
Rodbourne, manlike, made an end
of this tensity by seizing both
her hands. They were very cola
and lay in his, passive, as II already
she said, What is your will? What
do you wish OF me- He did not
know what to say; he wanted ~
find for her a way out Of his i'm.
mense confusion.
Hoarsely he said. You didn't
mind? couldn't help 1t. You're
so lovely"
She did not reply; she showed no
anger, but only still that surprise
at being captured and released. The
contact OF his hands half-reassured
her. She would have been content
TO stand so with him for very long
time But this intimacy, which
stilled the girl, fred the man, Now
he had to play with those slender
Redeemed fingers, to draw them
apart and crush them close, to
caress and to hurt them. The in.
timacy Of the slight contact made
him desire more profound one.
Agai:. he took her into his arms
to kiss her neck, her hair, forehead,
eyes, to experience the indescrib-
able delight OF the contact Of the
smooth, burning cheek. And once
again he sought the lips that trem'
bled and surrendered.
81 love YOU" he said 81 suppose
did the first time | met you at that
show in London six months ago
but | didn't know how much"
He stopped. He tried to find
something else to say, something
tender and dominant, but the words
would not come. The repeated sen
sation had not been as violent as
the first, and, in the temporary sa-
tiation of his senses, clarity over.
came his brain. He let her 60 sud
denly and stood back.
It was only then that Patricia
spoke. She looked at him with
frightened, adoring eyes. Why
didn't he speak? What was the
matter that he should stand Ike
that? And stand apart? She felt
SO horribly lonely, for now she knew
that this man had broken all the
links which bound her TO the rest
of mankind by forging the link
which now bound her to him.
An expression came into his face
which she recognized as worry, and,
already maternal, unable to bear
that something should trouble him
she threw aside her reserve, stepped
toward him and whispered, Whats
the natter"
He did not reply for a moment.
Then at last, II couldn't help It."
He looked so unhappy that Pa
tricia forced herself to say, though
she blushed and looked away, I'm
7 not angry"