Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-03-26
ats All over Now, Mauve

"it's All Over Now, Mauve
She was of Welsh decent: and the
Welsh have the reputation of being,
of all races on earth, the least
truthful. One reason for this may
be linked up with the Welsh love
of drama, the Welsh gift for gesture.
for mimicry. That story be
dramatically set forth, its more
picturesque aspects be brought home
to their hearers, is a need to these
Saxon may not feel this need.
Mauve Rice Mathews, on this unique
occasion did feel the need. So she
smothered that tiny voice of sim
cerity; and with as much zest as
she would have put into her play
ing of passionate music cher only
outlet until now!) she pursued, II
sometimes thought that if it weren't
for Grandfather I should manage to
get myself accidentally drowned
whilst bathing somewhere. AS it is
1 feel it's just the shell of me that
walks about at Rios; the real me
went out when he did"
Again the tiny voice within her
took up, more loudly, 'Is that true?
Are you sure? Is only the shell of
you here? 1t was so some time ago.
But now? Does the real you enjoy
nothing" Aren't you rather enjoy
ing telling Archie Laverock all
this"
Against that voice she went on,
urgently, taking the tale up at an
other point. THE other day on the
tennis court!
when you seemed to think that
eight years was such long time
to be faithful to the same person
who loved one. I laughed to my
self-if you can call it laughing.
For five years I've thought of moth
ing but that one, same person OF
mine. Who didn't even care, except
for just those few months"
She choked little; tears sprang
to her dark eyes.
The voice. no longer tiny. inter-
rupted: Are you sure you're still
crying for Basil? Are you quite
certain these aren't the kind OF
tears one sheds pleasantly at n
theatre over some deliciously miser-
able scene well acted? Sure you're
not half acting yourself?"
Unsteadily, defiantly. Mauve went
on. I've never changed"
Inc voice: Haven't your"
: Mauve: even If everything
else mas, L could never forget him!
l could never - . feel as other girls
do about people >"
The voice, loudly, Couldn't youo
Think again, think again!
MauVe: Il think 1t horrible whom
the war widows marry. His did. 7
couio never, never understand that
sort OF thing" She caught her
breath on a sob and ended even
more urgently: Some things have
TO last, Archie, forever! They're
meant, Tor some of us. For me. it's
always"
The Voice within retorted, "Is ito
is NJ? but was drowned in the
sound OF another voice beside her.
ror' clear and happily scornful rang
out at last the Rover's denial.
NO." he cried. No" into a
laugh. Don't you believe it,"
Mauve opened widely upon him
.hose dark eyes. Drumming with
nose tears of such equivocal origin
"A tear dropped upon her wrist II
was then, possibly that she found
tnat both her hands were in tba
Gasp of Archie Laverock's hands
a clasp magnetic and comforting
with the warm current of life heat
ing through it. All startled, she left
her hands where they were. She
raised her incredulous glance from
them to the smiling face of this
young man.
dcar!" "e my
She. in a daze. told herself: He
Can nave said my dear I'm
imagining it. He can't be holding
my hands. He can't be talking to |
me like this"
Rl1t ho xyac obol,ior l,,s bon,1
her. his head blond and sleek as
ner. "All this that you've been tell
ing me about. It's not meant to
last You aren't intended to go
barking back to n thing like that
for keeps. It's done. It's all over
now, Mauve; can't you see that?"
She stared at him as IL he had
just reused her from an uneasy
sleep, from dreams.
Fidelity Is wonderful thing and
all that, I dare say. Must be-" ad-
mitted the Rover more soberly. But
good Lord!" he expostulated. Even
u Blue Rock only hangs on to the
other Blue Rock as long as it's
alive! But this is dead and DONE
You can't-oh hang it; this is i'm
he muttered, but,
while the words on his lips seemed
to be Of her bygone love story, his
eyes pleaded another suit.
Heat-haze simmered over the |
OF thunder in the air. Another
seemed to crackle and
sparkle and render tense the atmos-
phere about these two on the steps.
Archie Laverock was set and keen
exactly as he had been that evening