San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-07

you're finding out what women are |
little before your time. It's too bad"
The kindly tone stirred his son to |
passionate gratitude. Il hate them!
he said sullenly. "And i always will"
"Stick to that. Buddy, and it'll save
you lot of trouble" advised his father |
paternally.
For the rest of the day he was very |
kind to the boy, so much so that II
was not difficult for Rodney to believe
ThOrne ST., a much maigned person,
and that his mother was entirely at
fault. Whereas, to be strictly just.
Thorne himself represented cause and
Mrs. Thorne effect in their marital in
felicity.
always did my best. Roddy," sobbrd
Thorne ST., late that night, alcoholical.
ly reduced to tears. Shes spoiled
my life!"
And young Rodney. not understand
ing that his fathers diatriSe was only
the reflection of a mood, concurred ut
terly in this opinion.
In the years which followed, mis-
father reappeared in his life at inter-
walls, usually bringing largesse in tic
shape of gifts to make amends for his
neglect. Money he poured forth LAVISH
ly on the boy, but time. CO lsideration.
affection, these things he would not,
perhaps could not. give. Five years after
the divorce. his overloaded heart gave
up the discouraging struggle TO pump
life-giving fluid through a body weak
ened by every manner of excess. and
Rodney, whose allegiance had renamed
Steadfast because of the occasional
stray crumbs Of kindness he had re-
ceived from his father, grievcd to sur
prising extent.
His mother had married again, brt
not by word or sign or decd did sac
| acknowledge the existence of a SIN
whose very memory was almost forgot
ten. As casually as the she wolf de-
serts her young once arrived at the
hunting stage, she had cast HIM adrift,
and gave him as little thought. !SJr
did RodEey care. His extreme distrGst.
and dislike of the feminine sex persiJt-
ed. Even his education was guided
and influenced by his prejudice. Coed
schools he eschewed entirely. Parties
and gatherings which had fof their pur-
pose the bringing together OF the sexcs
he Stunned absolutely. Not even st.
Anthony of old was more of an ascctic
than young Rodney Thornc under the
spell Of his involuntary detestation.
But of course il couldn't last. Just
where and when he met Euialie Gore
man / have never known, but in view
of his aversion for women. the en-
counter could hardly have been Of his
seeking. | would not. however, put ii
beyond Eulalie's conniving, for young
Rodney with his dark. moody good
looks was rather a romantic figure,
And every girl, you know. aspires 20
be the one great love of some man
life whether she returns it or not.
In Rodney Thorne Eulalic found vir-
gin soil to exploit her chains. Ard
she had them, gay. laughing, reckless,
spoiled Eulalie! Nobody ever pos
sessed the peculiar quality Of charm 10
create extent than she. Imperions.
generous, impulsive, she was a bit Of
high explosive, with an uncanny power
of drawing hearts to her and then re.
turning them beating in the tempo OF
friendship instead of love. Yet at that
her gay, reckless coquetry was entIr =
~ innocent. People never told risque
stories in the hearing of Eulalie Gore
man. No more did any OF her aspir-
ing swains attempt familisrities, un-
Outstanding we'll the line Cf demarce-
ton between the boldness of an ad-
venturous spirit and the brazenness of
experience. She was-wel, she was
Eulalie. There is no comparison.
She charmed Rodney Thorne's heart
away from him as well as the rest, bit
to him she was more generous, giving
her own in return. Perhaps it WIS
the vague unhappiness in his face that
stirred her tenderness in all its depths.
Perhaps his very aloofness represented
a challenge. Perhaps it was only thc
attraction Of opposites. Be that as
it may, on a late April evening SIZE
slipped into the library where her
father was smoking a late cigar, and
curled up on his knee, kittcnwise.
well, Little I'm" he gathered her
into his arm affectionately. What d.
you want me to buy for you nowF'
Dads" said Eulalie, Rodney ard
are to be married in June" No hint
Of requesting his permission. you sec,
just en- lmpudent stating Of the fact.
He let his cheek rest against her
shining hair a moment, thinking deeply.
Then: His father and mother" he
began.
But Eulalie laid her roseleaf fingers
across his lips. "Pouf!" sic pouled.
I'm marrying Rodney, not his father
and mother Then she smiled n pretty
defiance al him. Eve love each other.
so we're going 10 be happy as happy"
she ended gaily.
Goreman sighed. How explain that
in the days gone by Thorne 81. had once
loved Ro0ney's mother, or explain that
love has the strange power to dcstrOy
the well-beloved?
They we're married in June, with tie
usual accompaniment of roses, frock ed
clergyman, bridesmaids and critical
friends. And for once Rodney Thorne's
darkly handsome face forgot 20 be som-
Der. He was very, very happy, and
there's nothing like happiness for chas- |
ing old brother gloom away
That happiness endured for some |
months, and then. this being earth and
not paradise, came a tiny flaw.
Just why every husband. shared by |
n certain combination of attractive |
qualities. confidently expects his wife
Immediately to eliminate those very |
qualities and become the person b. |
fancies he wants her TO be is one of
the unsoly ed riddles of the world. And
whether be would really delight in the
transformation once com,Ilished is
still another riddle.
Rodney Thorne loved Eulsle for hnT
gay. sparkling charm. for ncT tender
ness, for her changeable mCCds. That
other men also had loved that same
sparkling charm was something he was
to realize later. UnconSciously he
wished that charm TO sparkle only for
him. Marriage. you know. was TO serve
as sort of extinguisher. to be lifted
at will like the snuffer on candle.