The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-01-29
THE PIC IN THE, POKE


couch beside me. sT
All that Is beyond the point. The point
is-when is she going to quit this nonsense
stop carrying every scoundrel in the county!
It isn't this case-it isn't Stadler object
to. It's the whole bally lot Of them. Eating
the life out Of the woman. 1t isn't as If she
went at it from social workers angie-shs
couldn't do that It isn't in her. She's too
damned personal Too sympathetic. Why.
when she came to see me about this hound.
Stadler. you would have thought she had
stolen that money herself When In she
going to get chance to live her own lifef
Express herself! why he turned on mo
with . singular beam IN his clever blue eyes.
that woman Is talented. tell you'll She
could write or paint" And then his voice
ran down to q monotone.
She would make . marvellous mother for
any number Of chfidrsn.- This reflection
presently faded out with that time worn
question about Angela:
II wonder why she never has marriedr"
was Immediately disappointed in Byron.
had given him credit for more astuteness.
had thought, for some time past. that he
was the one person. besides myself that
really got Angela, accounted for her ways.
Can't you see vcntured, how quite.
quite Intoxicating It is to be able to give 80
much to so many people? More thrilling
than any single talent or marriage"
That's all very WELL" he put IN quickly,
while she's young. But It won't last The
other things would last
said. honestly. what thought, that was
not so sure about their lasting-with Angela
Byron resented disagreement. His wsrd
was % generally final But he suppressed
his irritation with only a stunning change
in position. However. he was bound to pur-
sue the subject.
Il must say she has = poor lot to pick
from"
Sol said to myself, -he doesn't Let
himself into the running. Thinks he is safe
from Anselai- And then. foolishly, putting
his fattened ssotism to the test, said:
Angela once told me that she hoped
some day to ind the kind Of . man she
could marry 49,
And what kind Of q man was thatf.
A man whom shs wouldn't have to carry.
Who would give everything and expect moth.
ing In return, who would never tell his
troublss-Svsn II he had them--
He smiled sheepdshly. and Of course I
thought he knew she never had meant .
word of it-that. being Angela, she couldn't
mean It. But not At all. His face became
terribly serious. He tuxged numerically at
his stubbly, bristly mustache. and presently
gathered his lanky length together and said
he must be running along.
And what about Sing Sing, Can you
keep her from goinE?-
That" he said with great dignity, will
be managed. have a plan"
I hadn't doubt about his plan; II was per.
fecuy clean. His intention had crystaIlized
before my eyes. As far as he was concerned
the wedding bells had rung. He was already
deeply engaged in being Anseia's husband:
employing the process Of his marital rights
by putting an end to all the silly business Of
her life. His assurance was sublime. He
couldn't know how absurd he was. How
beyond the point he had let himself 20 IN
planning to manage Angela by any such ele.
nentary process As marriage.
Angela was probably the most convincing
person IN the world, in that for the time
being she honestly believed whatever her
fancy prompted Shs ha6 ILL. o,h.r. - h.r
feather, a dishonest mind coupled with
profoundly honest heart. For years I had
watched her exaggerated flights; It became
a fascinating mental sport to spot the truth
and follow her wild rides about It. 1 wa.
no novice at the game. had played it long
and seriously. l thought / had Angela
placed. But hadn't counted on the extent,
the finish Of her genius. Within the month
she convinced me that she loved Byron
Mcouade; that q life of marriage with him
was the one thing necessary to complete her
life.
For you see," she said, 1--WE dissipsted
20 many precious years. Given myself away
SO uselessly. Fearful waste want to learn
to concentrate, expand. put all the expert
encs Of my life into some form Of self-expres-
sion. I can do It with Byron. He under.
stands. He knows just what need. Long
periods of quiet, peace-time for reflection.
Already am wonderfully rested"
She leaned back in her chair and closed her
eyes. The effect of her Dropping lids was
like q drawn curtain that left a spirttless
mask on her face. This new repose spread