San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-10-18

She couldn't answer the question
What was there "broadminded"
about this tour abroad unac-
companied by her husband? Moth
ing. She had never been so ut
terly miserable in her life.
The faces of Groves and the
woman Marie obtruded themselves
in her reflections. There was
something detestably sinister about
the business, and yet this man,
Charlton, baying the moon by her
side, was an old and trusted friend
of her father; in London he was
not unknown as one who had con-
tributed a quota to art.
Charlton"
"Darling?"
"Charlton"-severely.
"Sorry, Tina, | was dreaming"
"When we get back to Lisbon
tomorrow I'd like you to secure a
berth for me on any ship that may
be leaving for England"
81 think we're all ready to go
back, Tina"
'1'm afraid-frankly, I'm afraid
that | don't care two 'gaspers'
whether the rest of the party goes
or stays. That's how | feel"
Don't put on me all the blame
for what's happened, old girl"
"Mr. Charlton?"
"Tina?-Mrs. Humphrey"
"Oh, you do remember my
namel It's quite refreshing to
hear it. =. Somehow | can't for
give Lady Pinter for deserving me
in this way" 4
"You may be certain that the
motive allowed of no alternative.
"How ready you are to defend
her! And Sarling-was it neces-
sary that he should go to? Lady
Pinter is not afraid of travelling
alone. Can you imagine bandits
holding up the train and carrying
her off to their stronghold in the
hills?"
"Candidly, / cannot"
"Well, not stronghold" Charl-
ton. She wouldn't be a very re-
fractory prisoner-would she?"
81 suppose not"
A silence, then:
"Am l very catty, Charlton"
"To me, Tina, you embody the
exquisite virtues Of"
"Do you mind cutting out that
slush," said Tina, '1'm becoming
Observation-Disclosures, but
but REAL. Do you understand
that, Charlton?"
you have me bewildered,
child"
Don't call me child. l
say, Charlton, there was something
in that wine Carlos gave US to-
night, or it may be the effect of
this moonlight, that's changed all
my views of life. Fact"
Dear whimsical womanl You
know, Tina, one of your greatest
charms"
"1'm asking myself now how
came to find the courage to accept
John Humphreys offer of mar
rage"
Charlton started from his re-
CulHbcllJ dlllluue.
'My dear-my wonderful Tina!
She took not the slightest notice
of his sudden agitation, but flew
out spiral of cigarette smoke and
watched it lazily ascend.
81 wasn't fit to be his garden
er's wife," she said.
"What a jest to come from those
bewitching lips"
She might not have heard, for
she went on, still staring up at the
moon:
81 wonder what he could have
seen in me? They tell me that all
young wives ask themselves that
question in moments of calm re-
Election"
81 wish you hadn't touched that
wine" said Charlton.
81 wish had imbibed sea of It |
before | left England" said Tina;
and there was the suspicion of a
break in her voice. "What could .
he have seen in me, Charlton? .
Dancing, gossiping mel Cock .
tails in place of bushes, cigarettes
in place of musk and old-worii /
fragrance. Conceit and arrogance
and precociousness where he must |
have longed for something to pro-
tect."
Charlton was uneasy.
what has come to you, Tina"
he asked, nervously.
"My better self, l think" she
said. "And it has shown me some
thing hadn't suspected hitherto"
Eyes" -earnestly
81 have fallen in love with my
husband" said Tina.
"In love with your husband"
His voice rose on a note of sheer
incredulity.
"Yes," said Tina, in a foolish,
very foolish whisper, "and-and
it's too late"
q llDl11x