Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-06-01
EOVe'S s~%~%
IL Masquerade
A Real Woman
BY Tdah McGlone Gibson


dear eyes, as 1 pictured our life
together in the far off tropical
city, the world forgetting and by
the world forgotten. It was as II,
just for the moment, she was hug
ging q beautiful dream to her
heart and trying not to open her
eyes upon reality, although awak-
ening was tugging at her lids.
From across the court, where
someone was evidently entertain
ing, there came the sound of one
of those plaintive Hawaiian melo-
lies, in which primative music
is embodied the indescribable
yearning for the unattainable, and
the never ending heartbreak
which follows the last hope.
l had dropped on a low stool
beside her and my arms were
clasped loosely around her waist.
She put her hands softly on my
and looked into my eyes
DO you mean, Harry, that If |
should go with you to this exquis-
ite, imaginary place which you
have been describing, that you
would give up the life that you
have known up to this time-give
up the friends you love-that you
would bow your head reconciled
to the scandal that would follow?'
Gladly, dearest. l whispered.
Again that indescribable look
came into her eyes. Softly she
stroked my hair.
And you will go?' asked
again, trembling.
NO. she whispered while the
lovelight sparkled in her eyes.
For a moment everything went
black and then l heard her speak
ing.
Boy, boy, you do not know
what you are asking
AS l tried to interrupt heI
hand dropped from my head and
gently covered my mouth. Not
what you're asking of me, but Of
yourself. With your love of people
Harry she continued, with youl
constant desire for change, not
even /, to whom you come for re
taxation and rest, would be able tt
keep you contented for long. For
give me, dear, If l tell you thai
this is just mood and this toe
shall pass
Don't you understand, Margar.
et,' 1 urged, that when a mar
loves I do not say
loves as 1 do, but I say loves 6
woman like you, 1t is once and fol
all. You have always been the wo.
man in my heart since the first
day I saw you
I'm glad he made that dis
tinction," observed Milton sagely
''for every man knows that the VIZ
man in his heart and the woman
in his arms, may be two entirely
different persons"
"Apparently Harry is not hare
for Other men to understand. You
may be able to analyze in sup.
erflcial way, Milt," said Claver'
ing, 'but you will, I'm sure, say
that Margaret Earl understood
him better than he himself. Lister
to the conversation between them.
"'You have so much to dC
with this world, dear heart, ant
you do so much and YOU care Sc
much for your friends, you care
so much for what they think Of
you, that I love you too much tt
have you give it all up Tor me-
But, sweetheart, l would moi
have to do this I protested I'VE
would be going among strangers
1 know, but it's easy to make
friends and new ties.
That's just it, dear she an
swered. 1T would be easy for you
to make new friends and new
ties, but scandal travels far and
fast
"'Just as sure as we went tc
Quito, our story would follow. We
at least would be ostractsed
DO you understand me. l am
not at all afraid of myself.
know that l do not need friends
as you do. A large circle of peo-
Pile around me mean very little
If l have one or two near to love
me l am content, but oyu are diff
ferent. Why, boy. you could nc
more live without an answering
smile from every other person
you meet, than you could live with
out food
And yet 1 think l might be
tempted to go with you, because
oh, it's very sweet to have you
here like this. Yes, might be
tempted to go. and l would have
the courage to lose the world
without a qualm, If did not fee
that you need a woman who car
do more than merely rest you
Why, Harry, you have told me
many times how your wife has
hurt you by not receiving your
Z lends. What would you do II your
friends would not receive me?'
oh, yes. ! know she exclaimed
as I tried to interrupt, for lit
tie while l would be all in all tc
you. You would not care for any
one else, but you can't change
your nature, boy And shortly
you would feel that 1 was a DRAG
upon you' ~