Evening star., 1923-01-21

ly to mako herself seem notice
exquisite. Had 1t been more
deeply deceivfng? Had 1t suggested.
rather than cherished femininity, the
clipping OF coupons, all the heavy.
at interest?
II must tell him the truth right
away" Sara thought guiltiiy. eff he
likes me for money that I haven't
got, IL he's a cool-headed young man
sensibly looking for a wife who
brings her own'-well, the sooner we
both find out the truth, the better"
It was sensible decision. surely.
and once made, the sooner carried out
the better. Still, Sara kept absolutely
silent for several minutes and then
began nervously to talk of something
else altogether. 1t was the sudden
thought Of going back to a life in
which Wheeler played no part that
fell like paralysis and stayed.
For, during these weeks Wheeler
had changed from q rich, handsome,
pleasant stranger. from an impersonai
quality consumer" to a man whose
smile across the little restaurant
table would make Sara's carefully
ordered dinner tasteless husks COM
pared with the nectar and ambrosia
of merely being with him, a man
whose comings made her gala days,
whose goings left her world a sudden,
almost unbearable dulIness. Oh, il
was common enough road that she
had walked, a road so blithe and
sunny that many girl before her has
stopped, aghast, to discover how far
she has Travelled IL. Hard common
sense, prudence, even a good deal of
pride itself. had slipped off some
where along the way.
"Oh, I wish we were poor" she
thought, ESQ that he wouldn't mind
my being poor, too, why did 1 ever
think I'd mind a cheap little house in
a cheap little suburb? How I'd love
to can his tomatoes. Or if he does
want q wife with money" oh, what
a buffer pride really ia! "if he
wants a wife with money, wish-oh,
I wish I had enogh to tempt him.
In the meantime, there were the
week ends, the Leonia dances when
the light touch of his arm at her
waist set wings to her silver heels,
long Sunday rides into the country.
flaming hours that were worth, after
all, whatever they might cost her
later. So Sara did not tell him. A
dozen times it was on her very lips,
but always the thought of a life
without Harrington Wheeler clutched
at her throat and choked back the
words.
THEN came a Tuesday. Sara was
i just closing her desk to leave
for home when she felt somebody
looking at her. She glanced up to
see Wheeler standing in the office
doorway, smiling. She had not known
he was coming before Saturday.
Quick prickles of excitement swept
down her arms; she hoped that she
was not blushing, but she felt an
ecstatic warmth, that belied her hope.
sIf you've date for tonight" he
was saying, IT shall cut my throat
and die horribly all over your office
rug"
You needn't have a sort of date.
butt can be put off" And silently,
to herself, You're fool to be so
eager" But drowning the prudent
warning was drumming OF her
very spirit. Hes here. He's here.
He's herer'
They went to the Van Rensselaer,
again that night to dance with a
Harson client and his wife Woven
into the warp of the evening was the
glittering gold thread of unmistak-
able attraction. Wheeler's glance
across the table at her, his dificulty
in paying attention to the general
conversation-"But perhaps IL he
knew, even il he didn't care about the
money, he might feel it had been a
edges of the woven golden magic
were the black shadows.
1t was the last dance. There is
a something always about the last
dance, a sweet, aching wistfulness-
ask any woman who has ever danced
it with the man she loved. 1t does
not need the obvious Home, Sweet
Home" and Good Night, Ladies'
played in waltz time. 1t can thrill
just as poigantly in the rhythm OF
the seasons hit.
1T Isn't Raining Rain" sang the
orchestra, Its Raining violetsr'
The silence after the last notes still
trembled. Wheeler's arm frightened
around Sara, their hands chung. FoI
moment they stood as though by
their very nearness to hold fast al
the f1eeting sweetness of youth and
love and spring.
Little sweetheart Wheeler.
voice was husky.
The magic flashed in binding in.
candescence around Sara. The heav,
shadows pressed closely.
"On the way home must tell him.
Then the inopportune client in.
sisted on driving them home in hi.
car. Wheeler was catching the las
train to Philadelphia, there was tn,
merest moment at the entrance Of tn,
Lecnia. under the eye of the drowsy
but evidently interested little bell
boy.
'"rill Saturday" said the man.
"Till Saturday." echoed the girl.
X. Il X
THE next morning calamity broke
i It did not come in a wild, sud
den storm, but started with a gen
tie trickle. Bills.
It was the first of the month. Sar;
had an account at one OF the goo,
shops, and she realized that she ha,
charged a trifiing item or so during
the month. Then there was den
lists bill, Leonia bill for extra serv
| irA a hill frnn fha taxi stand ShI