San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-10-13

ribly trying TO save him-surely not,
them"
"Ah-thcy will say We were oil
drunk, but only Mickey will he
held
At Z o'clock Mickey's father. tall.
grizzled, sunny-haired. a replica Of
his son, came into that room. He
went up dumbly and took Connie in
his arms. He moancd: Our boy
our boy" And it was terrible TO see
him weeping so, his great. stalwart
form stopped down and clinging TO
Connie.
He touched the gashes on her
white skin: Poor girl, you must
have that fixed"
MOI" She clapped her hands over
the scarlet rim. "Oh, if it had only
happened to me instead, I'd be glad.
God, nobody knows how glad"
Mickey's legs were crushed but
the surgeon would try to save them.
He would keep him whole if there
was the faintest chance.
The old man had his ribs cavcd in
They feared internal injuries.
Not.Lng more could be stated. They
would have to wait through slow,
crawling days for a verdict only
time could give.
1t was late that Sunday morning
when Richard took Nora Lee home,
His neat, pleasant features were pale
with misery. She couldn't bear thu
pain on his mouth. He stood and
rubbed his finger over the en-.
bossed leather of book on the table.
Nora Lee believe that I would wine
out all Of it if I could"
She sobbed. That is such a sad,
hopeless wish, Richard if we
could"
Then you are blaming me-"
No; couldn't do that"
You are turned against me,
them"
She rested her head on the mantel
and tried to think-wondering WHY
there was such twisting and torment
in her brain. She said family: Did
you hear what Connie said? Did you
hear her say that Mickey would be
a stump Richard. I'm not blam.
ing you-why should l blame you:7
SELF BLAME.
She turned to him and smiled.
No. I only blame myself
What do you mean, Nora Lee:"
She swayed, sinking heavily in
chair. She said, listly: I'm so tired.
Richard-come tonight,
She followed him quietly to the
door; stood mutely when he kissed
her. Then she took the ring from
her finger and dropped it in the
drawer of her mothers desk.
Hours later she was sitting there
writing:
You say that I blame you. No.
m not that unjust, for | believe,
Richard. that in your fashion you love
me. took your love knowing that l |
nad nothing 10 give in return-so all |
the wrong and the shame is mine. But
l thought ! could 20 CALAMITY through |
with it. / fooled yself with the idea |
that ] was growing very fond of you,
and that this feeling might become |
love.
1t never will, and I can't trick my
self any longer. Don't think. Richard. |
dear, that I'm acting now because of
the awful tragedy we've all brought |
on ourselves. 1t was coming any
way. For weeks ] have felt that it
must end. You've been aware of this.
am sending you the ring. and please,
Richard dear, forgive me-"
ACCUSATIONS.
She tried TO soften this-to write
more neatly. But she wept and kept
seeing Janey hidden in Richards arms
kept hearing Mickey's angry:
~ You're all alike-parasites-suck the
blood out of fellow and ditch him.
kept hearing those pitiful. wounded
sounds cheeping in the dark.
She sent the letter and the ring to
hotel. She told the boy not
% wait. There was no answer.
But Richard came you don't meaq
this. Nora Lee: You're excited.
lou're overwrought-"
He was white. TO the lips and
-eached his hands 70 her. "You won't
break If off now ten days before our
narriage?
Better now, Richard. than later"
you don't know what you're doing.
You've had no sleep"
Il know that / can't lie 10 myself
anymore. want other things, Rich.
ird. or nothing
III bring other things to you"
You can't" She smiled, but her
leart seemed cut to pieces and bleed
ng with a long. slow ache. When
Richard put his arms about her and
oleaded-kissing her. pressing her
bands between his. she took it--dull
and weary and sad.
oh. not any more tonight, Rich
Tomorrow you'll feel better-to,
morrow you'll wonder ut this. Darl-
'ng-don't think that / can give you
up
lie took the ring from his pocket
and laid il on the table. Tomorrow .
put il on. again. You will
CONTINUED Tomorrow