San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-29

"Oh, certainly
81 don't think you do. If
had $4,000 in spot cash would you
marry me tomorrow
Her breath caught. "But you
haven't the $4,000. have you? hope
your uncle hasn't died-has hep
Il knew it, Why should you hope
that? If / thought there was any
chance of grabbing the $1,000 I'd be
tempted to kill him. But you're per-
fectly content to wai.. aren't youE
I'VE aren't waiting. We have love
right now. 1t may be as good as mar.
riage-perhaps better. And there's no
dark side to it and no problems"
I'VE haven't love-that is, not ac-
tually. We have sort Of promissory
note for tia magnificent expectation
NOT the real thing
WHY AFEAID?
She drew a deep. startled breath.
Her lashes dropped on cheeks that shot
with fire.
He went on in a puzzled way !:
What do you mean by the dark side I?
! Are you afraid TO get married."
I've not thought much about it."
You have! Everyone does when
they love. You've thought about it
more than anything else"
"Yes-but distantly. I've thought
about being married to you, Dane, iu
p gorgeous kind of way like the
knights and ladies of King Artiur's
court wandering in lovely forests and
kissing each other ad aeternam." She
began to laugh. But I've neevr
thought about washing dishes for you
and mcnding socks and frying steak
and onions"
He nodded-an old, qiivering fear
stealing into his mind, but he said:
I'm first rate fryer of steaks and
onions myself and never get holes in
my socks or don't mini my toes get
ting the air. went to see Herb Kenny
today. Know him? That's what made
me think of the $4,000 cash. Herbs
father died a year ago and left him
a little. He took the whole thing and
stuck 1t in the bank. Then he and
Marge got married and are living on
It. Lord-it's wonderful It's the way
things ought to be. It's what you and
j, Nora Lee. ought to do"
Don't you think our love will last
Dane?"
"Of course / think it will. Lord.
/ can't study, often, for thinking of
you. wish you could take n trim
across the bay every night or so. It's
the funniest thing the way your face
goes floating across pages. When
I'm drawing plans l sketch you at all
the windows. l thought I'd get over
that-but it gets worse"
She laughed softly. "You never
said that before-you wrote something
Ike 1t once. Dane-do you
know you have the very loveliest law
I'm glad you love me in this rugged
way"
f. you'd you like to marry me
now?"
IF you say much more-yes
"It's what wanted to know, Nora
Lee. You see syou're go
ing to college. You'll get in with Con
MES crowd. All they think about is
jazz and drinking. You'll meet ever
so many fellows - they'll fall for
you"
I'm not very attractive"
And you'll get to going around and
perhaps doing a lot of things you
don't do now. couldn't stand IT.
That's why l wish we could get mar.
ried and prevent all that"
"Why do you think I'll do things,
Danep
Everyone does - mostly, except
the digs and the pelfcans. I'm not
very good at saying what l think or
what j feel, Nora Lee, but you're so
different now, and if you don't stay
this way"
He glanced off suddenly, his lips
moving. The sight of them, so young.
SO appealing and tender, brought u
fierce rapture to her throat. IL he
were to ask her now she would get up
and walk with him to the ends Of the
earth; she would sweep away every
other living thing and follow him.
She would wish to do it.
She said in r dazed, hurried way:
"0h, won't change. If tits rs inc
way you like me, this is the way I'll
stay. oh, Dane. ] would rather die
than TO do anything-any single thing
to hurt it"
He turned slowly and touched her
hands, then he laughed in n glad burst
of relief, and pulled her to her feet.
guess we're n couple Of nuts, aren't
we| But his eyes sobered, meeting
hers. They were dark eyes with green
and brown points of light that laughed
greatly even when his lips were still
but was that promise you gave,
Nora Leei"
She touched his cheeks with her fin