Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-14
Banked Fires

w purred along through the streets Of
the little town. Hilton was pretty in
suburban way. and until lately ! had
loved It. But now as we drove by home
after home. ] felt only bitterness in
my heart. I had n sudden longing for
nlien things. felt reckless and strange
as though didn't care what happened.
We reached the outskirts Of the
town, and turned into long stretch
of macadam road. The car leaped
ahead. and the wind roared in my ears
with the increased speed. When we
finally slowed down we were far OUT In
the country, purring along smoothly
| straight into the sunset. 1t was glor-
ious and forgot everything but tho
enjoyment of the moment.
But after time began to have mis-
givings. I stole look at Herbert's
face. wanted to tell him to turn
back. but there was an expression on
It that I had never seen before, a boy
ishly uplifted expression and l hesi-
tated to speak.
On and on we went and gradually
twilight fell, then darkness. We had
been driving long time without either
Of us saying yord. when finally Her.
bert turned to me and spoke:
Having a good time?
Just glorious. but think we ought
to turn back. Norman and Edith will
wonder where I've gone.
My lips twisted on the last words.
for, OF course. they were't true, and
who knew better than Herbert of their
a crossroads, he turned the car around
Again we lapsed into silence.
We were within distance of the
twinkling lights of Hilton when Her.
bert stopped the car by the roadside,
and lighted cigarette. / watched his
face in the fare of the match and Won
dered how I had ever thought him
stupid. His face was distinguished If
not handsome. and there was a strength
of purpose about it that would make
any one want to trust him.
He did not start the car at once. and
we sat for moment with the silence
of the country all about us. There was
peace everywhere save in my own heart,
and as though he knew and understood.
Herbert leaned forward suddenly and
covered my hand with his.
For moment let my fingers remain
passive, and then because l sensed the
impulse that had prompted him to do
such thing. turned my hand and
closed my fingers over his.
lHStuHtiy uc my
hand to his lips. and even when he had
kissed my fingers. he did not release
me. but held my hand against his cheek
for long moment.
Joan. you know why came out
to Hilton. don't you|' he asked finally.
And then without waiting for me to
answer he went on quickly, TO be
near you, that's the reason. I bought
this car so as to be able to take you
out with me. It's enough for me to be
able to give you pleasure, to be near
you in any way. Does it mean any
thing to you, Joan? Tell me, dear?"
Did it mean anything to me? Why.
It had meant everything to me during
the last few weeks, and could not
deny it. And vet I was suddenly filled
with panic At heart I was a loyal
wife. Alice Wilson had scornfully told
me so once long ago, and it was true.
loved Norman.
And then suddenly I remembered the
way Norman had scoffed at the idea of
being jealous of Herbert. and again
that queer recklessness stirred in me.
| had been on the point of drawing my
hand away, but instead let it remain
where it was as I answered softly:
Your friendship means more to me
than l can ever tell you, Herbert
My heart leaped as his fingers
crushed mine with "a pressure that hurt,
but he said nothing more and he made
no attempt to touch me. After a mo-
ment he released my hand and started
the car, but as we flew along the road
toward home my heart was filled with
conflicting emotions. Had my answer
to Herbert implied that l cared for
him more than l did? And after all.
how much did I care for him? | tried
to answer that question to my own
satisfaction, but there suddenly flashed
into my mind a picture of Norman and
Edith waiting in the cool darkness of
the porch and found 1t impossible to
think clearly.