The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-12-25

tPASCCALOlnS any AlOEC' 4NOlAAI1S
but the truth will do now. Mabel
would have carried things off
with her head bravely in the air
if Bonnie Buchanan had made
that possible. But everyone knows
how he's neglected her-and is
now going his own way. She
can't make a brave bluff. And
no one can pretend not to know"
I nodded gravely. Bonbright
Buchanan's fragrant return to his
old life is open to all the city.
No one can pretend not to know.
Park smiled at me frankly. open
ly and, sweetly. Then he went on
firmly:
"Once I told you that I'd take
my own, If Buchanan didn't cher
ish it. Now 1 feel that no man
who knows Mabel's fine proud
spirit could dream Of doing any
thing to drag it in the dust
even if he were doing It through
what he called love. told Mabel
I'd wait till the end Of time. I
told her If she wanted to get her
freedom she had a right to take
it. And I said that I'd marry her
or no one-and that I'd always
be where she could call me If
she. wanted to-
you dear Sir Galahadp' I cried,
which had become selfish and
moved by the revelation Of love
true. ST didn't know there were
Eyes, you did! You know Ralph
Lacy" Paul hauled himself up
short, with a. stammering: Its
nothing-what stand ready to
do. 1 love Mabel-that's all. And
when man really loves a woman
he wants to protect her. If he
can't marry her, if his friendship
might be menace to her, he
doesn't let himself get into the
foreground.
Doesn't she need your friend
ship?" / asked uneasily, and not
quite knowing whether or not
meant what / said because Parks
reference to Ralph had pulled me
up abruptly.
Park shook his head.
"Mabel's one of those rare wo-
NO., xxyha ooy e&o0S obso1,,@1I-y -,
their own" he said firmly. "She
can make her decisions and abide
by them. She knows how to fight.
And I'd not be afraid to have her
fight anything but the malicious
gossip Bonnie Buchanan would stir
up if she did one thing that didn't
suit his high and mightiness."
1 held out both my hands. I
was choked by my gratitude for
his splendid loyalty and under
standing. But back of 1t all was
the aching, impatient question:
Why couldn't he have reached
this splendid stature of manhood
in time to make Mabel happy?
81 don't know what to say" 1
confessed.
There's nothing to say" Park
replied. You're a wonderful
friend, Anne. I'm glad Mabel
has you. I want you to let me
see her here now and then-here
where no one can point at her II
she meets anyone who is a friend
and a familiar visitor to your
home. Will you do that?"
YES" I cried.
There was a moment Of silence,
then Park shook his head.
I'm not fair to you in asking
that" he said, thoughtfully. "Jim
won't want us here. He won't see
things as you do. After all, Jim
has the possessive instinct, too
-"
Don't you dare compare Jim
with Bonbright Buchanan" I
cried. though I had no serious
thought that Park would do such
a thing. But the way he protest
ed in turn astonished me.
I'm not. wouldn't. just
mean that all men have a posses
sive attitude toward the woman
they love. And so Jim will see
the husbands side Of it just be-
cause he Is husband, and with
out doping out the right and the
wrong OF 1t. And I don't want to
get you in Dutch with Jim through
your generosity"
Where could you meet if not
here?" I asked.
dont know" Park replied.
But Mabel and must meet now
and then. She may be goaded to
desperation-and I have to help
her bear it without breaking
down."
Jim and I viii stand by you"
I declared.
But as spoke wondered IL
could even count on Jim to stand
by me.
Encouraged by my declaration
that Jim and could stand by.
Park left my apartment with
courageous and dignified bearing
which were worthy of anyone's
respect.
CTO Be Continued Tomorrow