San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-11-29

her white cheeks.
She took up the green
backs, held them tightly
standing there very rigid.
her eyes shut. She had a right
to these bills. She thought Of fearful
insulting things TO say about her right
to them. But the feel of the money in
her hands made her writhe.
She thrust them quickly into her
bag-a gray silk handbag. Now she
gathered her toilet articles, folded her
nightgown and negligee tightly. Every
thing must fit in here. Don't risk
luggage.
She went over to the wall AMI
listened. If be stirred, she would glide
out swiftly-NOW!
No sound. Then a deep, prolonged
snore. He was turning, perhaps pull
ing the covers over his face-settlins
more heavily.
She sobbcd with relief. Slowly she
drew the rings from her fingers. There
were three of these. two circles of dia.
monds aud one of emeralds. There
was the bridal gift-that bracelet.
Sandy put these on the basin. She
took one of her cards, scrubbed a few
violent lines, left this ON top of the
jewels. When he read that, she'd be
safe. He'd know now what she
thought.
She put on her hat-dressed now.
Everything ready. Walk out quietly
step into the cool, silent hall-go
noiselessly to the stairs at the far end
avoid the lobby-pass the little
trunk room-no one would be there,
She tucked the bag under her arm.
Suddenly across the morning hush
voices broke. Early mixers gathering
on the lawn. One calling softly to an
Other. Then a mans loud: Lets get
going!"
Sandy stiffencd. If he should awak-
en-? Ii he should sit up in bcd-dash
between her and the door, as he did
last night?
She had to pass the bed. 1t was
at the far end of the long, narrow
room. 1t was nearest to the door.
All, she would smile-say she was
just going out for little tramp-in-
vite him breezily to come along.
She kept her eyes on the covers.
Warm with panic she stole swift
turned the knob ever so quietly, never
moving her glance from his pillow.
Outside The door closed again. Ben
Murillo, her husband, sleeping through
it all.
She had TO force herself grimly to
keep from running. Master her voice
The ticket agent might become suspi-
cious.
1t was only a little past ). She
walked carelessly along secluded
path, stood on the edge of the lake.
Leave no time for useless questions.
Just get her ticket-step into the car
not looking backward once
1t was already warm. refreshing
sweetness in The soft sunny air rip
pling over the water: friendly silence
that one felt like gracious smile.
1t affected Sandy poiguantly-ob, the
bright, happy look of things.
She trembled with the clashing of
her thoughts. She kept looking back
at the Tavern. She could see their
Running away-married two months
and running away from her husband
She went to the station, very casu-
ally laid down Murillo's bills. Her
hands we're steady. They were frccz-
ing.
No one noticed her-no one tried TO
stop her or seemed to think it odd
that this tall, slender girl in the dove.
colored suit was getting on the train.
No one knew that she was q runaway
bride who had taken $50 from her bus-
bands wallet that she might desert
him.
She scarcely brcathed until the train
was going at full speed. Then she said
10 herself, "Lord-Lord! - The stark.
ness of the thing she had done smotc
)n her heart.
Going homc-going back there aud
quietly saying 10 them; "I've left Ben
well, you sec, I've left him. I'm
NOT going back. No one can make |
me- f.t
They would be astonished. Their
yes would become enormous with as
enlistment. Was she mad?
She would say nothing about the
Meeting with Heine. That was moth
ng. That served only to focus the
ragic impossibility of this marriage
hey had foisted on her. She would
ell them calmly that she didn't call
his marriage--it was degradation.