San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-10-18
CHAPTER XII
Disillusionment

Nora Lee drew the shades to an
even line. She was in a mood for
shadows and subdued lights. She
moved about elegantly, conscious OF
great inner disdain for all petty
things such as life and love. She
shifted the books Of the shelf, then
with cold, precise misery wiped her
eyes.
She had reached the end of her
rope. Yes, this time there was no
mistake. She smiled bitterly: Three
months of marriage and this J"
She slid quietly into a deep, roomy
armchair and surveyed the room. 1t
was in perfect order, quiet and color
full in soothing, faded harmonies of
orange and blue-the finest room for
the money in all San Francisco, the
real estate agent who found the
place for them said.
Their living room, big, old-fash-
Toned with an immense fireplace and
windows that framed Alcatraz and
the blue soft hills of Sausalito. 1t
was a made-over apartment in VAL
lejo street and they had to 90 down
a dark, narrow hall to reach their
door, but once inside, the big inviting
space captivated Nora Lees imagi-
nation. Oh-with brilliantly somber
drapes on the windows, with some
kind OF an old davenport that they'd
pick up for song and with one OF
those ancient square pianos that you
can buy for about 80 cents-why,
they'd have a home to dream about
unique, satisfying, satisfying. arts
tic. And the rent was only $40.
She remembered with ironic sad
ness their enthusiastic prowling
through the secondhand stores in
Mission street and into all the dens
of the Forty Thieves in McAllister
How they had laughed and bought
and bought.
1t cost more than they counted.
With dishes and linen and silver and
rugs, they finally spent 5000. And
they were in debt. But they shrug-
ged and felt themselves strong for any
battle.
A home is worth an effort. They
said to each other; IF we can't be
happy here, we couldn't be glad in
heaven" g
She recalled the evening when they
celebrated their triumph as interior
decorators. 1T was hardly more
than a barn when you took it over,
Nora Lee" be said generously.
HOME PLANNING
'But you fixed the walls and that
counts more than anything. You're
really gifted, Dane"
He was pleased with such an
obvious compliment as that. He said ::
Some day I'm going to put all the
gift I've got into a real-truly home for
"a And 'g she had tossed this aside with
a joyous: 1--WE all / want this very
minute-allw
Well-that's the way one feels
when riding on the high crest of
the wave. One is buoyed up with
the glamour of love and things he
holds, inescapable loves flaming
spirit.
She. Nora Lee, knew better now.
She could see how one is carried
away on a sudden tide OF emotion
only to be left stranded and resent
ful on the barren shores OF disillu'
sion.
She touched the thorn that was
sticking in her heart. She pressed
Il Neutrality-suspicious.. taking mel.
oncholy satisfaction in the renewed
hurt.
Her work for the morning Swas
finished. The kitchen sparkled; the
closet-like bedroom had been vac
uumed and to add to her sense OF Sc
we're Righteousness, three pairs OF his
socks we're neatly darned and very
showily arranged on the bureau.
There was nothing more to 40 but
TO sit and plan mournfully her future.