San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-11-10
NORA BECOMES
SUSP |C|OUS
Of DANE
Young Sons Future Keeps
Mother From Taking
Rash Step.
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reaching upward and inward to a
flame tossed sky; how dainty were the
| pink and lavender cosmos running riot
in the gardens of the Relief Home
oh, life is n joyous thing and only
| thoughts can mar it.
She would be glad-serene-nobly
sure Of herself and of him. She
walked slowly home. The little boy
had his face pasted against the win
dow watching. Her pulse beat high
at that-little fellow-little Dane
She brought him n fuzzy dog that
barked and wagged its tail when you
wound up n hidden spring. He was
delighted and mystificd. Sitting on
her lap. he tried TO solve its mystery.
He took her finger and held his over
it rs she turned the KEY. Then he
laughed with a bonny: "See. See :"
Ellen said: "Mr. Herrick phonod.
He won't be home to dinner"
She bent her face over the boys
shoulder. 'Did he leave any message
for me?'
"Yes-I've written it down. He
Ndiu nv uau II tDHitItllCf Win
son and they would eat in town."
what time did he phone?"
a little before ) 80. think"
She went to her room and in a very
painstakins manner hung up her
clothes.
She said to herself harshly: THAT
could easily be. He will take Natalie
to her car and meet Harrison later"
After this, she held her thought rigid
~ silent.
She took out some old French books
having begun to study these. She fast
ened her mind on the text. And for
hours she read.
When machines whizzed by the door
her heart lost its count. thinking it
might be he: praying for the courage
to meet supremely this test.
He came up the steps softly, noise
lessly turned the knob. She saw him
first-his face dark. anxious yet ex-
cited: his eyes narrowed and burning.
He raised his head and paled, meet
ing her glance.
"Oh--up so late, Norry"
"Only II, Dane. You work too
long"
He drew his breath heavily: "NOt
very often" -,
like sandwich or some pastries"
"No-had a big dinner"
MORE PARTICULARS
She was now standing beside him,
a hand on his arm. rs Harrison
building:"
"NoGhe's a consulting engineer.
You know"
She yawned and tapped her fingers
lightly over her lips: 'Oh-he must
be a glutton for work, Why doesn't
he have conferences in the daytime"
We started early enough. He
came at (. At half past five we were
still at it. Then we went out to
dinner. Been busy ever since"
She said, still yawnins. Il was
going to drop in and have you drive
me home about $50. Suppose its
good I didn't
He turned and put his hat on. a hook
in the closet. He said in steely,
quiet: "Yes-we left about that
time
you and Harrison:"
"WcIl. who are We talking about:
Better go to bed, kid, if you're that
She felt as though a white fire dash
ed I'D from the ground. enveloplng her.
Her heart leaped wildly. Then 1t
turned sick and cold. She went over
to her chair and took up her book.
He said. irritably: Are you going
TO stay up all night, Nora Lee!
She answered in voice that seemed
IN come pulsing family and strange
across the threshold OF death: Il
may"
Is soon rs he was gone from the
room. she stood up. her hands stiffened
against the chair. She would walk
into him and say witheringly; so
Won and Harrison went out together
ar Z 30. did you? Well, Dane Her
rick. it will be a sorry day when you
can lie 10 me and get away with 1t.
| saw you. ! know who you we're
with. You're welcome TO her-to any
one on the earth you want. Have
her-have anyone-but don't try 10
keep me as well. You can't do it,
4 boiling seethed in her veins. The
Holiness Of her blood made her faint.
She went over 10 the window ana
looked into the dusky, enshadowe4
garden. The humping OF her heart
made a roar in her throat.
no CHOICE"
No-she wouldn't say this to him.
Why should she? Give him a chance
when it was but too plain that he had
outraged her. Why, no. il was too
late now. He had made his choice
VERY well. So she would 90 into the
room. quietly put her clothes in a suit
case: dress her son and LEAVE!
She would say in a cold agony 81
dignity: You have lied 20 me, Dane.
On. I'm not angry. But you've mark
ed the path you wish TO take. Along
that road will never follow you. 80
have no choice"
Thinking this, tears coursed down
her cheeks-made little runlets on the
window. Oh, this was the way 1t
would end-this love Of theirs.
She let herself sink 10 her knees
let herself cry long and silently.
Leave him-break all the holy. tender
bonds-make bitter all the thousand
memories that had such aching sweet
ness. They came 20 her now--scencs
many gentle things he had done
dear. happy ways Of him
Her hurt and anger melted. Oh
cast him away after all their years
Of gladness-tell him 10 go now bc-
cause he had made a missteU, perhaps.
& 20 n