Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-05
4 Brare Woman

DAND had thought it possible to
~ throttle his emotions but a fire had
been lighted in him. fire he found it
impossible to qucnch.
He had told himself that he would be
satisfied just to know that Carlotta
cared for him, but now that he knew,
his vivid imagination was carrying him
away.
And al! the time he thought Of Judy :;
in fairness he tried to see her side of
the thing. but involuntarily his heart
hardened against her, and turned to
the warmth and beauty Of the atmos-
pherc that Carlotta created.
He looked forward feverishly to see
ing Cariotta again, but the day before
her next sitting she telephoned that
she would not be able to come.
That night Rand tramped the streets
for hours in the rain fighting a battle
with himself. At o'clock he found
himself ringing the bell of CarlOtta's $
apartment, and moment later she
opened the door TO him and shrnnk back
when she saw who il was.
Like man in a daze he entered the
softly lighted room. II was Ike heaven
to him after the wet drizzle Of the night
outside. and after he had divested him.
self of his coat, he turned to Carlotta
eagerly.
"Why did you Gomez she faltered.
He laughed reckiessly. He was not
himself; he felt as if he were moving in
a dream and that nothing he did mat
tered.
She was II, black. soft. clinging
thing. and il Stmed to Rand az though
he had never seen her so beautiful. He
,tretchcd out his hands to her. but she
stepped back quickly.
Please, Rand" and still her words
came fa!teringly. Don't do anything
II" laughed again.
"iou care for me- he said hotly.
You cant deny it; I've seen it in your
eyes. BY every right in the world you
ought 10 belong to me. Why should we
struggle against it,"
His fingers closed around her soft
bare arm, and involuntarily her eyes
closed. Then, ashamed Of her weak
neSs. shc fought against IL, and won.
but her victory brought quick reac.
ton and Shc felt the tears surge into
her eyes.
She wanted 70 surrender 10 his arms.
sh" wanted TO cradle his head against
her breast and comfort him; but she
mad no right to do this. That right
belonged to another woman. Rand .
wife. and Carlotta was too proud to
take what didn't belong to her.
"Rand, you re asking me to steal:"
she said family. Let me so, please
let me co.
His tense grasp Of her arm loosened,
and she dropped weakly into a chair.
But he refused to sit down. lie stood
towering over her, and she was CON
SriouS that at any minute he might
gather her into his arms.
She looked up at him quickly. and
ther" was mute appeal in her eyes.
Rand. you don't know how hard
You're making it for me. ! can't fight
it out alone, dear won't you help me:'
At that appeal, NJ that admission of
her weakness, Rand's passionate need
Of her changed to quick tenderness.
lie dropped to his knees beside her
and buried his face in her lap, and for
a long time they were silent, Carlotta
rigid in her chair, not daring even to
yield TO the desire to run her fingers
through his crisp dark hair. She knew
that she must be strong for both of
them. that she must point the way for
them TO follow and she must be- strong
she could not take her happiness at the
expense OF another woman.