San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-12-27
MuriIlo Surprises Sandy at Postoffice
With a Letter From
Ramon.
CHAPTER 4S

~Re6eem them any time you wish
next week, next month, next year.
BE came up and smiled in Sandy
ewes. letting his glance dwell on tina
pale. vivid face-inhaling sachet. III
knew this little trick Of hers-rub
bing the powder into the roots Of he
hair. II now made him smile in ap
praising amusement.
She looked quietly over his head
Il won't redeem them-ever.
You think you'll tire me out. d.
you: and II back down? III assisl
YOU TO break the vows you made
If you hope that, my dear, you hops
IN vain"
"Whst % you gain by holding
ne?"
His smile curied. Il hold you
though. don't /! You understand
this now. The gain is my affair. But
you'll be helG5he backed to the
door, bowed - PERMANENTLY
Make no mistake about that"
He stood a moment staring ana
smiling. Sandy pulled the negligee
about her shoulders, flushing at che
sudden realisation Of its flimsy
frsnsparence. Murillo laughed. Good
morning. my DEAR"
She felt as though her cheeks were
slapped and now singing with shamed
humiliation.
She began talking to herself, fight.
ing to keep back scalding tears. Il
won't stay here. I'll go! i don't
eare!"
Her uneIe's words answered
where will you 60? Don't talk
Wild. You can't sponge on Judith.
You couldn't stand that. She has no
money. How much of her salary do
you suppose Judith is allowed to
keep? How long do you think you
could last in the city without a
job1 How would you like coming back
to him? You'd be forced TO it."
She bit her fingers against her
mouth, wanting to rush over and beat
against the walls; hammer with her
bare fists against them-furious and
Held - PERMANENTLY He
smiled when he said that. he gloated
She thought frenxiedly: ~why did
he marry me! he likes crushing
me"
Why did he choose her, knowing
that she was high-spirited and pra1.n
"A laughter-loving thing? He had
taken her instead of Marjorie Lopez
whom Beatrice wanted. Marjorie was
gushing, demure, submissive girl.
She would have piously taken orders /;
given Murillo the servile adulation he
craved. She would have exalted bis
ego; puffed him up with feelings of
compliment mastership.
Why had he preferred q scoffiny,
fnsolent creature like herself? Just
that he might break her to his will ?
That be might have that oblique pleas
ure some parents take in cowing a
fiery child, or man in tanning a
spirited horse? Yes-he wanted to
twist her in two-make her scream
and bow.
She flung back her head, keeping
the eyes shut till the tears were gone.
But she wouldn't bow! Wouldn't be
crushedl He'd seei
She pulled the blanket from the
bed with short, venomous yanks.
Crush her! Let him tryl
She ruffled out the sheets, making
the bed with precise, flashing speed.
Yes! Let him try Bob was going
70 send over that typewriter. 1t
would be put in Ida's room. She
would practice-pound on those keys
until her fingers were csnoused-be-
come expert. And then
Fly to the city-gst q job-own
herself. Laugh at him-roar laugh
ing at him.
She became suddenly quiet. And
Just az suddenly the blood went fam
ing up-up-over her neck-her lips
her temples. All her life Murillo
would hold her! He would never let
Der free. Not yet p, but doomed.
Bound legelly-no chance TO escape
She sank oppreSively in the low
chair ut the window. This couldn't
ke-couldn't remain always SO. Some
thing would happen.
Clouds-dense blue, trimmed with
fre-hung low over the distant
Islands; the channel waters were
gray. Far ont a ship unfurled long
banner of smoke against the sky.
She wished she was on that ship
wished that she were sailing 10 some
remote, unknown land. Inconceivx-
BILE that only death was going TO re-
lease her. She said 70 herself vague
": 1T can't be! How can IL be-"
And she became indignant at Bob
McNeil-saying she hadn't sufficient
grounds!
And she planned ways Of trapping
Murillo-provcke him in public-goad
him into some terrible public vio-
lence-
Her thoughts became reckless
flame and hardness entered them. Yes
terday when Ramon followed her
through the grapevines, sweeping her
IN his arms, ehe had flushed with
guilt as much as JOY. Now she said
% herself with a steely brightness,
TIN gladw
Murillo thought be would shut her
out from all the sparkle Of life? BE
would deny her gayety and youth and
all the Intoxicating sweetness of lovey
Would hel She pressed her burning
cheeks against the window pane, hear
ing his menacing: you'll be held
permanently" She answered with a
Desperate, frightened swiftness: mo,
] won't"
The typewriter came. Sandy said
10 Ida: viii you let me put this
N your ROOM" I'm afraid the tap
ping viii disturb Mr.. Murillo. Be
Eides, ] don't want him 20 know I'm
learning. he doesn't believe In q
girl having such hobbies"
Ida looked at her with that pecu-
hsr compassion: "Yes-you put II
here"
Sandy began 10 practice. The mo
sneHt Murillo left In the morning che
began. After a few hours her bach
sched. She was filled with resentment
But she kept at il, taking a pleasure
IN the pain.