San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-10-16

now. DO you want me stll:" Snt
wept at this imagined tenderness.
But when a week passed with NJ
apparent sign that he was thinking
one moment of hcr-that he was ever
remotely considering her; she grew
desperate and driven and felt that bc'
fore long she would no some wild, de
spondent thing. One way or another
suspense would have TO end.
At the hospital, on her frequent
visits, she rallied in the corridors. She
met Billie, Mickey's father-everyone
but him.
One day someone stepped quickly
from the shadow and clasped her arm
someone said pleadingly: Darling -
1t was Richard. She was surprised 20
note tears in his eyes.
A COMMON SYMPATHY.
He came from q visit to the old man
they had injured. He was getting bet
ter. Richard and Mickey's father had
talked with him.
The old man cried, learning that q
boy had lost his leg trying to save
him; he cried when his visitors asked
If he blamed the boy; if he meant to
Drlng charges against him. I'D a
drop too much and got twisted by the
lights The old man said this. rub
blng the knuckles of his gnarled hand.
1t wasn't the lads fault. 1t was
mlne-more shame TO him who was
old enough TO know better
So. Nora Lee, there won't be any
trial, Richard said, husky with rc-
lief.
She walked. silent and never look
ing at him, though his hand on her
arm beseeched. Mora Lee. am |
the only one TO be eternally pun
ished:7
am not Furnishing you, Richs I'd.
1t IS the last thing want TO do"
But il this accident hadn't hap
pened. we would be married now"
Move would not"
1T was only ten days away. Nora
Lee, you didn't let me buy that house
and fix it for you and pledge your.
self without meaning to keep your
word. Did you:"
They were standing at the curb.
Reluctantly. she let him help her 10
his car. Memory shamed and whip.
ped her.
L thought I meant It all. Richard.
L thought / knew myself. ! didn't.
In a few months. Nora Lee. YOU
may look back TO this moment and
find likewise that you have mistaken
your real wish"
She shook her head.
He went on persistently: I'VE got
along finely; VIC like the same things.
You may not believe this. but, Nora
Lee. YOU can't stand poverty ami
hardship and you don't want them"
She repeated DULY: I'm ,orrier
than you car know. Richard. l can't
marry you
HOPE PERSISTS.
IF / come in few months and
you're recovered and can smile again
and want the brighter things, will you
give me another chance:'
She pulled at lie tips Of her gloves.
1T would be better not TO hope. Rich !
ard I'll never want those brighter
things again-never-' She thought
blindly: On come in a few months /
and if things are as now, you'll never
ma me hcre-never :"
But Richard put his hands on hel |
shoulders and smiled: II hope. Nora |
Lee. What's more / know youth bet |
ter than you do. You can't be IN
happy. always "
She went lifelessly to her room. On |
her desk vas the days mail-a letter
from Max. This she stuck hastily IN /
der the blotter. for the writing on a
large package sent the heat whirling
70 her brain. IL was in Danes smar, 4
print-like script.
She tore the string aside. pulled off
tie heavy wrappings. There dropped I
out softly, Ike limp. dead flowers
crumpled sheets. small cards. enve-
lOpes, pictures. Even the snapshots
Of ber-even that one taken when she
was in high school and sent TO him
when he was at sea the picture
be said made him think of wild flow
ers or singing gypSies or something
lively and free-eYen that picture he
now returned.
She stood rigid and regarded the
mound OF white with fast-stiflins
Ie8rt.
THE MISSING LETTER.
She began TO stack the letters aim.
'cssly. She took tie sharp point Of an
envelope and ran it again and again
across the veins in her wrist.
1T would be easy she thought re-
-nOtely.
Then she came 10 crisp white let
Ter nj the very end. 1t was addresse.
10 her.
il said without SalutatiOn:
i sent for the letter you spoke
bout at our last meeting. have read
Il. and can now understand your eag
.rnesg 10 know If ] had received it.
10 relieve your anxiety I am now 70.
turning il with these others. You viii
lind here returned all the letters AMI
promises that you gave me dur.1y
.Our years.
"DANE HERPICk."
Continued Tomorrow
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