San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-10-25
CONTINUED from Page f2)

CONTINUED from rage ~
He called to her, softly, almos
childishly:
TINA, one moment"
She went back to him.
"I'm awfully dazed," he sale
stupidity; ''have been dazed fol
sometime. Lady Pinter told me
an extraordinary story, but my
mind was so chaotic at the time
that / didn't understand half OF
it. She came to Southamp-
ton to meet me-"
please, John. When you
have eaten. You look so haggard,
So"
'1'm all right, Tina"
His hands were resting on her
shoulders. Of a sudden he graSped
her fiercely and kissed her on the
lips, kissed her roughly so that he
bruised her. And the gust passed
as swiftly as it had come.
eyes, come and sit with me
while / eat" he said. Home
again, Ell? Home! Come along,
Tina, and watch me-"
She and Miranda sat with him
while he pretended to enjoy the
meal. He did most of the talking,
so that Miranda feared he was
paying no respect to her household
management-feared that the food
was not to his liking. He swore
that he hadn't eaten so perfect a
meal since he left England and went
on almost garrulously about the
food and service in New York.
Anything to keep the two women
from broaching the subject of
Portugal and business.
And when it was over he ex-
pressed a desire to 60 to the smok-
ing-room. How was his terrier!
Did it still monopolize the most
comfortable armchair in the smok-
ing-room? Or had they taught it
better manners during his absence?
Miranda whispered TO Tina: II
have an hours work, dear; you'll
be glad to get rid of me-
He went up the stairs to the
smoking-room, but he left the door
open, instinct telling him that Tina
would follow. The terrier leaped
from the armchair to welcome him
and while he was lavishing a die
tionary of adjectives upon it, Tina
came in, closing the door behind
her. He drew himself away from
the dog. sighed like one who has
known all along that the ordeal
cannot be evaded, then said in a
whisper.
"Well, Tina?"
She sat down in the chair which
he pushed into position for her and
remainded standing with his back
to the fireplace.
Somehow, | thought that Lady
Pinter would manage to see you
first" she said.
A little silence. Then:
Don't you wish you had never
met me, John?"
He flinched. "Yes," he SAID,
"but not for the reasons that IRE
in your mind"
Tina's lips quivered, but there
was hope in that reservation Of his
you have been terribly disil-
lusioned?"
an you, Tina? No. Nor was
ever deceived by your friends.
asked Lady Pinter if, in the event
of a divorce, she thought that
Charlton would marry you"
Marry mer'
Il don't know whether ! put it
in those words but that's what was
in my mind, l know"
you'd be content to lose me?"
Her cheeks were wet, now. She
spoke bravely, collectedly, as
though she had long since made up
her mind to the crisis that couldn't
be avoided.
mot content" he said. 'T'd try
TO persuade myself that ! never de.
served you-that ! shouldn't have
looked so high when l cast about
for a wife to share my life"
$50 high, John? Are you-are
you hooking me-"
"Mocking you, Tina? IL
WORSHIP you"
worship? Me? And ! haven't
yet denied the ghastly story she
must have poured into your ears"
Worship YOU" he repeated.
Otherwise I shouldn't be so ready
10 give you up-to give you up to
the happiness which you may be
able 10 find with him"
81 hate him! Despise him! VIII
you believe that"
"Did you-despise hinl-out
therein Lisbon?"
John, you haven't asked for my
version"
"His wife is going to sue for
divorce"
"Let her. l know that / have
no witness to support my evil
dence-"
"Will Charlton marry you"
"Charlton. Marry Me?"
"If you are made free?"
81 don't Understand-can't fol-
low your thoughts"
J.