San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-12-05

The Making Of
a Husband
A nm LiSle's N e ~
Phrase of jim, and
Aq,ne's Marital
Adventure
BY ANN Isle
Chapter 1876.


front door and the memory of Ralph
Lacy's letter in my mind, I was hard
ly aware Of what went on over the
telephone until some note of the speak
er's voice made mt force my attcn-
ton. Then / realized that the tele-
phone company was relaying a radio
message to me. With click my at
tention focused.
1t seems strange now, but at the
time j was so intent on my own
thoughts, that | didn't stop to won
der at Jim's quiet self-effacement. II
didn't seem odd that be slid out of
hat and coat and went into the living
room without coming down the hall
and planting kiss on the back of my
neck as be generally does when ! am
telcphoning.
Il had to ask the operator. to repeat
the message twice before I realized
that the telephone company was go
ing to give me a radio message. Then
I went hot and cold all in one mo.
ment as fear laid its hold on my
heart. A moment later / listened to
this:
"You will receive letter today. Don't
read it. l am web again. The sum-
mer seas are curing me. Wait to
read the letter l send you from Ma
pies. Ralph"
After verifying the message. ]
staggered back from the telephone
with a sick sense Of wonder. 1t was
evident that Ralph had written his
letter when in stage bordering on de-
lirium. 1t was also evident that he
had been very sick man. since 1t
was not until he was almost week at
sea that he had recuperated enough to
realize what he had written me and
to regret ii.
l felt that I had betrayed him by
reading his letter. ] had no right to
see the words he had penned-and
then longed to deny. But way down
in my heart l wondered if was not
glad to know what tribute he paid me
when he was physically too weak TO
control his thought.
Then a new fear assailed me. 1t
lent wings to my feet.
Jim had gone into the living room
straight into the living room.
where l had dropped il when the
Telephone summoned me. On the
floor, perhaps. Or on the table. j
didn't know where it had fallen. But
Jim could hardly Save avoided it.
Jim must have seen Ralph's letter.
If Ralphs first sane thought was
to send me a radio message begging
me not to read his letter, what would
he say to the idea Of having Jim read
his hearts secret--read and resent
them,
"Jim.- I called as ] hurried down
the hall after recovering from my
amazement at the lctter-and phe mes
sage bidding me not to read 1t.
"Jimw
There was no answer. How did
Ralph get word TO me just todayf" l
asked myself dizzily. why just TO.
day: Why was it too late? i had
no right TO read this letter jim"
broke off as my feet carried me
into the living room. Jim was not
there. His hat and coat were flung
on tho diyan. But there was no sign
Of him. Had II not been for his hat
and coat | might have thought that
had NOT come into the house. f'ut hers
was evidence. / went over TO Ralph's
letter. Tho envelope lay there
where / had left it. But the letter
was not on the table, nor ON the floor
by my chair.
Jim has read it. He has taken 1t
What shall / do?" asked myself des-
perately and in sore alright.
Bitterness surged IN into my heart.
] could not Judge Jim kindly in this
black moment. Ralph was torn by
emotions. Ralph and jim seemed TO
dance before my eyes like phantoms.
could almost hear them asking me to
choose-to decide what | was going
20 do.
jim, entered the room.
"Where have you beeny" / asked.
II went down to the furnace" lac
said.
"You burned my letter." l ae-
eused.
"No. was going to. But j
thought maybe ! had no right"
sWhy were you going to burn i'll"
I asked in the dim faraway voice in
which our conversation was go
ing on.
ITO KEEP you from reading it," Jim
said.
o "To keep me from reading it, ]
cried Historically and with mounting
rage. How dare you? It's mine !"
r. ~ realize that. brought 1t back
to you" Jim said. "You mustn't read
il, though. You have no right"
~Tfad you right?" ] blazed ssorn
fully. Have you right to sneak in
and read my letters and destroy
them?,
Tears welled to my eyes-angry
tears that released themselves in in.
furiated sobs as | turned and started
10 rush from the room. But Jim
caught me, his fingers closing on my
wrist like n wise as he demanded
"How dare you accuse me Of read
ing your letters? How dare you Judge
mel"
He released nv wrist His voice
trailed off dejectedly. There was the
sound Of defeat in his tone.
.3e's letting me co. / thought.
do ! want 10 go? Have we really
come to the parting Of the ways?
Has Ralph's letter come between us
forever"
ITO BE Continually