San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-10-02

know what they are doing; most
gravely pretending that the passage Is
not blocked. They will but daily a
short, pleasant hour and then, in their
graceful way they will escape. When
they find the road out abruptly closed,
they are indignant as though sudden
trick were played upon their limo
cence.
Max knew this feminine trait-this
pathetic lack of sportsmanship-a
heritage from the day when women
ing their own souls, and hence o.,
course, not to be held responsible for
the loss of virtue.
So Max told himself he had no in
tention of taking Nora Lees fine
young affections and using them for
his own selfish pleasure. In fact, he
wished her to remain imperious, fiery,
unstained.
But he had no such faith in Rich
ard. Richard was all right-a creed
less, delightful fellow, incapable, per
haps, of seducing girl. but equally
incapable of protecting her against
himself. II Nora Lee ever spontane-
Ously put her arms about Richard.
Richard would most winningly ac-
cept to the full the implied wish for
a response.
But the thought remained with
him all evening. After the theater
they drove to the plateau in Lincoln
Park. He slumped down and Nora
Lee settled blithely and carelessly
against his shoulder. He said: Il
asked you what you thought of mar
riage. Sis, and you answered Am
beautiful? That is truly feminine
answer. but not satisfying"
Why must i think of marriage.
Max: I'm swfully happy without
it
You do think Of it. We all do.
And sometimes you're not as happy
as You could be-"
That's because I'm unsettled.
I'm not sure what l should do"
Almost r-ughly he asked: What
do you mean that you don't know
what you should do:"
She was untouched By his hot dis
turbance: "Well-Im not even sure
that I should be leaning so pleasantly
against your shoulder. I'm even
troubled By little things like this"
But you like it,"
Yes
He leaned down with a sharp in
take Of breath and looked in her face.
Her eyes, at first amused, became
startled. What is the matter, Max"
Il was thinking Of thing a girl
once said 10 me. II was about love
and how we should regard it"
She moved from him slightly. her
lips compressed. That girl didn't
know as much as she knows today,
MAJ"
Perhaps she knew more, Nora
Lee"
She sat stiffly upright with a snap
ping laugh: 'Oh, you mean she knew
better than TO lean against a mans
shoulder? That's simple"
He colored and pulling her back, |
added whimsically: MY shoulders all
right. Its Richard I'm warning you
against. Not as subtle as might be,
was it,
Has Richard shoulders: I didn't
know it,
His eyes lit with exultance. H
gave a soft. drawing sound like q |
deep hum. He thought cynically: Its
all right as long as I'm the only one :"
As be started the car and without
looking at her, be asked: What |
would you say, Nora Lee, if suggest |
ed that re marry: OF course, I'm not
going 10 suggest it-but just by way
Of argument?"
ell take il under advisement, Max.
In two years. seventeen months and
ten days III give you an answer"
At the door, Max held her hand and
smiled. His eyes had an odd, tn
umphant look. He didn't kiss her.
She went into her room wondering
why he had acted queer, like that.
On her desk was a note from Sal.
serawled hastily: wake me up if
you get in early. Something's hap
pened-important-"
II was nearly ] 90. Nora Lee stuck
the card under tine blotter. Ii could
wait till morning. Something i'm
portant-it was that-Of all things
that had happened, perhaps this TO
her beca me the most fateful.
CONTINUED Tomorrow