San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-10-31
Natalie's Return Casts
Shadow on Nora's
Happiness.
CHAPTER XVII

CHAPTER XVII
He very carefully took a leather
bound volume from each of his i'm
mense pockets. These he laid careless
ly and unobtrusively on the shelf. Or
top of these he put a number of un
framed sketches.
Nora Lee, leaning over the banis
ter, watched with a beam of satisfac
tion, having never outgrown the child
ish delight in unexpected gifts.
After dinner she waited for him 70
bring her the books--certain they were
for her.
Finally she said: Please give me
my presents"
He looked up. puzzled.
She grinned: Well, / was lean
ing over the banister and saw you,
and you can't be meaning to keep
them till my birthday"
A dull color charged quickly 20
his temples. "You mean the books,
Nora Lee?" he brought them to her,
drawing his chair next to hers at the
table.
They were old copies of Dantes
Divine Comedy" and were illustrated
in rich, fantastic imagery.
She turned the pages with the joy
of an epicure gloating in the ex-
quisite workmanship.
He said, almost eagerly: "Pretty
sketches" They were scenes Of the
fisher folk in Norway. Even Nora
Lee. with her limited appreciation
of art, saw their beautiful simplicity;
their warm human note. She said
gayly: you paid fortune for them,
l bet. They're worth it-they're the
best. by far. I've ever seen. How did
you find them"
Il didn't, Natalie Herbert brought
them back from Europe.
1t was as though a sharp wind
blew. unannounced and cold against
her face. She said, raising the book
and scrutinizing the print: when
did she get back?"
"Oh. some time ago about three
weeks. / believe"
did she give you these or just
lend them to you?'
She gave them to me-"
A NEW CONDITION.
Natalie Herbert had been in En-
rope more than two years. In this
time her name had scarcely been men
toned. Yet now and for no reason
that either could specify, they felt q
constraint between them.
With the impotence of a man for |
these vague. intangible irritations, he
blurted: She's having a summer
house added TO her place. So she's |
been TO the office. She brought these |
things today. ! thought it fine in |
her. worked hard enough to please |
her on her house"
"Hes-you did
1T was the beginning Of good !
times for US"
"Funny-yes. we didn't have much !
then
She's giving a dinner next week |
and wants us 10 come"
did she ask for me: Did she |
mention me particularly"
"Of course. she did Do you SUP
pose she asked me alone?"
WHY REFUSE.
Nora Lee shrugged with a worldly
air: "Oh, that set aren't bound BIZ |
petty conventions. But. Of course.
you're not thinking Of going: You
refused, didn't you:"
why should 1: I certainly
thought Of going"
Wed be completely out Of it.
We haven't money enough 10 travel
with that crowd. It's out of the
question"
We can travel with any crowd.
wed meet some interesting people.
She's going to have Joven. the art
lst, and Macklin-One Of the biggest
architects in New York, and any
number Of people who've done
things. You're keen to meet that
type. Why don't you want to 20.
Nora Lee: / thought you'd be all
Excited about ia"
Did you? Why didn't YOU tell
ne rlghtaway them"
He brushed his hand impatieDtlv
through his hair-unskilled in these
feminine subtleties. Then his dark
yes. extremely boyish and implor-
ng, sought hers. He looked az her
n silence, then with a lighted
nockery.
. I get you, ole kid. You think
Natalie has designs on your charm
ng husband"
She blushed but Managed TO curl
Ter Lip haughtily: If She or anr.
me can take you from Us"
His hand rushed over, squeezed
iers roughly: Don't get lofty. Nora
iarling. Its you that are fearful,
Tot /. You know I'm about rem
ears younger than Natalie Her
,ert."
She was forced 10 laugh. Hseven
ears younger at the very outside.
And lots Of these elderly girls are
a ptiyated by the youthful youth.
lou don't know il, but youngness
md sweetness in q man have
atal lure for certain types Of oldish.
women"
But oldish, unmarried women
nave no lure for me. II / wanted
o wander, I'd have all the chance
wanted. ! wouldn't need 10 wait
until trapped
"Oh, don't be 50 conceited. As
hGUsh q woman OF her pOsitiOu I