The Washington times., 1922-03-05

no more; the last years, even the
last weeks had been no comedy;
she knew him and he loved her.
still loved her. But he was used
to her; she was his happiness, not
his romance. And, anyhow. how
much longer could she have held
him-she, a still beautiful but aging
woman?
Mrs. Caldecot. as she realized
this. as she had q hurried glimpse
Of the rest of her life, growing in
loneliness. felt an intolerable psng
OF self.pity. She wanted the reas-
surance Of some human being, and
was alone. would always be alone.
Tears came into her eyes. slight
tears. little more than q mist, and
in this weakness she ben. down
to stroke the silky head Of suki.
suki raised her head. displeased
at being disturbed, but Mrs. Calde-
cot needed her, and slid q hand
between the warm. close.pressed
bodies, and lifted her out, while
Chang growied in his sleep. and
suki. disturbed. eyes sstare. gave
Q little whine Of irritation. For q
moment Mrs. Caldecot held the
little dog chose, her lips pressed
against the smooth hair that smelt
clean and aromatic.
suki comforted her Q little. so
warm with sleep. round and Ian
guild. That mist OF tears gained
r upon her eyelids. A single drop
gathered upon the woman's eyelid
and slowly rolled down upon the
cool, shaggy ear. Held erect ano
uncomfortable, Suki wriggled,
turned in Mrs. Caldecot's grasp
and licked her cheek.
sha dropped the dog suddenly.
forgetting It, facing only her mis-
cry. For some moments she was
conscious only Of that immense
wretchedness. Then she had a mo-
ment Of revolt. With eyes now
bright and cleaning, she told her.
self that she wouldn't be cast away
Ike this, discarded when she had
served her purpose as a tonic, a
restorer.
She wouldn't give in. Shed have
It out. She'd confront him with
all that he owed her, all that she'd
given him. And more tenderly
she thought: I'll make him un.
derstand that this is only a pass.
Ing fancy, that It's Just . girl
tempting him who can't give him
what ] can: I'll make him under
stand that he loves me, that he
can't do without me-
But again that other fear came
to weaken her purpose-perhaps
this time she couldn't break the
slender link so swiftly formed, re.
capture him, enjoy him-and then!
II II wasn't Patricia, wouldn't It be
somebody else soon? Wouldn't
youth still call to him? Wouldn't
II call stu louder as he grew older
Shed have to fight again and 60
through this again, and live in daily
terror, expecting a new struggle and
be beaten in the end She could
contest In love, IN wit, In charm,
but she must be beaten in age. by
her age, and by his age as more and
more he desired the thrilling neigh
borhood Of youth.
Aloud she said, "lt's no good"
and asked herself what she should
do. Just say nothing? And 60
away. leaving him free? Yes. she
could do that and things would
take their course. But what would
Bob think? What would he do?
He wouldn't know that she had
seen, and he wouldn't understand.
She knew that he was man IN
honorable bondage, tina he was hers
because he was straight man still
more than because he was her lover.
He would do nothing, say nothing;
he would break the girls heart II
he needed to, and would remain
hers In speech and deed II not in
thought.
For moment Mrs. Caldecot
asked herself: why not? Why
smash such happiness as can get
out OF him Just for an idea? Per.
haps l can still make him happy"
Her pride revolted. No, not on
those terms; not after what she had
had. Loyalty after love-finger-
howIs after dinner "There's only