San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-09-21

tor she still cherished dim hope u
some day Towering into a writer.
And she had rented her house. S.
it gave her a large feeling now I,
meet Billie's almost constant "borroN
ing" She treated Sallie and Conn.,,
to matinees on Saturday afternoons
She bought the books and magazines
for the four of them and doing this
had a thrill of power. She was a WON
an of extravaganza and wealth-a girl
with S160 to her account every month
Nora Lee was happier than she had
ever been in her life" For the first
time she dwelt in the midst of youth
and saiety.
Men found her attractive. Richarl
| Carlisle, dapper, cultured. entertain
ing, took her TO the best shows. She
enjoyed flirting with him. and pinned
on the lilies of the valley he sent
with the arrogance of queen aecus
toned TO pin on diamonds given by adj
mirers.
Godfrey Bell met her after work
at least once a week. They took
long tramps TO the beach and dincd
at the Cliff House. He was chival-
rous and frank in his worship. She
said once: Godfrey, you make me
feel cruel. You put me on such a
pedestal. I don't belong there. I'm
happier with my feet on the good,
warm earth. I'm a creature of the
sod. Why don't you see this and
then you won't care any more"
He answered with a sweetness and
candor: You can't cure me. Nora
Tnt hA grin Hch In
I'm glad for it. Don't begin to pity
me-" .
So she washed herself Of response.
bility and thanked Life that it was
turning kind to her. What a joyous
thing days can be She was a match
now for any problem.
1t was this almost dazzling poise
she was now acquiring, this heather
gladness for existence, that Max
found so haunting in the young
whirlwind of a year ago. 1t was
just a year since they had met the
weekend over the Thanksgiving holt
days.
Nora Lee was az untamed now as
then; her demand that Life be beau.
tiful was just as imrerious. But she
had already warmed and mellowed-
becoming wildly sclf-aware. A dark,
brilliant look about her was deepen
ing. To Max she was infinitely
more desirable and provocative.
He tailed with his thoughts. He
had been infatuated before. His
hands closed on hers; his head low.
cred. He kissed her palms.
OF SELF
II told you not TO do that, MAI"
With your lips only you spoke"
She learned down and murmured |
slowly: "0f what have you been
"Of you"
81 don't Iame you. I think con-
of myself. IL must be con-
-agious. / used to wish l was a
nan. Max; but now / find it suffi-
,icnt to be a supremcly fascinating
He gave a low, drawing laugh and
glanced upward with daring, glow.
ing admiration. What will you do
with your fascinations, Nora Leg
I'm enjoying them
When Nora Lee found Max with
this expectant, intent warmth in his
Eyes she was secretly exultant. She
thought with inner delight and ter
ror: "FTs is afraid of me-
Returning home, she tiptoed bur
-iedly about her room, whispering to
herself: There is something hard
and wicked in me, else why am |
pleased that Max is attracted; that
pursues me: that poor God
'rey won't give up this obsession: Ny
iather was a wild, reckless man. i
must inherit some faint from him"
In these tumultuous moods she
Ionged 70 try out her power; rush
headlong into life; find out all the
hidden, mad pleasures; touch the
heights and the depths of living.
Seize and Seize. In these moods she
thought: I'm in love |
with Max. I'm wild about him. The
next time he wishes I'll fling my |
arms about his neck and kiss him
bill he expires"
She kept her face turned resolutely |
from Margaret's teakwoOd desk. whert
Danes picture with the fire Of youth
all alight watched her.
After a moment she dashed over
and took up his picture. She kissed
il and shook with sObs: "Oh, what |
am /? What am I? Why did you
20 away? Why did you leave meE'
She sat down and wrote a letter
that made Dane Herricks cars flame |
and the blood pound in his heart;
that poured a sweet, mad fire into
the pit Of his really aching want OF
her.
The letter posted. a devastating
rcmOrsc pushed her 10 the brink OF
melancholy. He would think she |
was gone wild. He would sec her
for a blazing. unrcstTained creature |
Of emotion. He would not want her. |
Suppose his feeling had changed: |
b. should return and say |
"Oh, well, Nora Lee, We were only |
kids when it started. What does Il
fellow Of 10 know about choosing q |
life partner: You're peach. and "
like you very much. but, then-wcll. !
do you think we should go through |
with it,
She endured anguish as the young |
very often do in thee extreme shifC-
ings Of her moods. She waited, al
most sickened. for Danes answer.
She poured into her hot thoughts
like fragrant. crystalline dew this
answer: Nora Lee, you dear, deaf |
thing, I'm dying 10 get homo. b. |
half afraid because ~ .ou. Lately |
I've had a notion you don't care 80
much. Perhaps its because ] can't |
get over being lonely here, but ! Was
just about desperate when your last
letter came. I've been Siddy as a
fool since-you dear, blue eyed love
II a thing"