San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-11-20

MAD HOPE.
Then Natalie came up and looked
with stark, brave eyes into Nora Lees
face. She spoke in a desperate, heart
piercing quiet. "Ycs-TRIED TO do
1 was mad enough to dream there was
a chance that he would hear me. Mad
enough to hope. He had to come
that night to get the checks. First
l was going to follow him south. Then
1 trickcd him into missing the
train"
A look of reluctance and horror
crept into her eyes. She WINGED as
one pushed protesting and defense
less down the gamut of all living
pain. kept him from the train
Nora Lee. But gained no hold on
his heart. he pitied me, but moi
enough. oh, yes, he said it gently as,
of course, he would
She opened her hands-small, melo'
dious hands and smiled in way that
made Nora Lee tremble. Il suppose
1 am rather pitiable! 1 am going
away. I take nothing that was
yours, Nora Lee. i TRIED to. And
failed. 1t is the one thing now 1 can
be glad about. I didn't rob him Of
the child he has"
YOU BELIEVE ME?"
The smile on her colorless lips fad
ed. She turned her head, made 6
swift pass to the door. She paused
and. without looking back. extended
a pleading hand TO Nora Lee. You
know 1 speak the truth. If you'll
love is one-tenth what mine could be
you'll not let the thing ! did hurt
him.
Nora Lee touched Natalie's hanC
and. suddenly overcome. lowered hei
head against it and sobbed.
A smile went over Natalie's face
She said eagerly: You believe me,
1t is enough"
Her quick, light steps echoed deli
cately; a wistful fragrance as of mig
nonette drifted to Nora Lees senses
She caught a momentary glimpse OF
the pale, cameo-face as Natalie sanl
IN the tonneau of her limousine.
She stood liz the center of the room
wiping tears from her eyes and trem
bling. Sonny came in and pulled he
skirt. "LOOk-" His lips quivereC
and he held out a grimy little hand
What do you fink Of that?"
4 big splinter was sticking undei
his nail. Nora Lee dropped on hel
knees, buried her face momen
against his tangled hair.
Don't hurt-don't vanta be hurt
muvyer--
She laughed and pulled it out quick
ly and held him in eager, strainin;
arms. He mumbled: Not crying
muvver? I'm tired
Then sit here, Sonny. I'll sing t.
you. No? I'll tell you a story theI
"a dozen storics-sit here :"
She thought that her heart would
break if the child refused. She. lis
tened as though it were the music o
angels when he laughed. and wheI
finally his head dropped heavil,
against her shoulder, her tears fel
quickly and were wet on the shiny
black curls. Oh. her arms had 10!
in the clasp of the warm, pulsinl
little form; her heart ached with pit!
for her who had no child 10 hold
who longed for one and was denied
She kept seeing Natalie's whit
face with its smile of deathles
pathos. She held the boy closer ant
wept, thinking of many things.
Most Of all, she thought OF ;
brown. shapely head-of a young fac
with the merry light gone from il
eyes; the high. bonny exuberance los
from the sweet, obstinate mouth.
She thought of the quiet, forma
way they talked now. Her hear
clamored for his return go.
Then she wondered il he voul'
turn from her; if be would say
Its too late nowi" She could neve
bear that. She would surely die.
A long while she sat there. III
sleeping child in her arms. 1t Oc-
Cured TO her with a deadly fear: II
may not come, Natalie went to Sc
him. He will remember that l wrong
ed him-that l steeled myself agaihs
him. :" She saw him suddenl.
a1gered and desperate--fading-
She murmured aloud: "Oh, no."
! DANES INVITATION
And. glancing up. saw that he wa
standing on the threshold-that b
was watching her. She said. oh
were you there longf"
CONTINUED Tomorrow