San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-11-07
Mora Lee By Elenore Meherin

to their environment. That is the
pulsing of our vivid, turbulent Adde'S
cence. We are unsettled we think We
are unhappy, whereas We are only
completely and nightly alive. But in
few years the wondering and doubt
ing and dreaming pass. We get used
to Life; we come down from our lofty
mountain heights and Craze in com.
monplace meadows with the rest Of
the herd. We even forget the lumi.
nous hour " hen we stood on the peaks.
Then what is there for us? Es-
pecially for women, relieved as most
Of us are from the necessity OF COM
peting with others. We become mere
animated habits; wearers of clothes
and spenders of money; automations
going through the gestures of life, but
seldom or never shaken by Life's hot
red pulse"
YOUTHS MAGIC CIRCLE
All" said Nora Lee, suddenly
aquiver, as though some secret and
hurting coil in her heart were touched ::
do we die that quickly? Are we only
ghosts and corpses now 2"
Natalie's eyes we're lowered You,
Nora Lee, are not yet passed the
magic circle of youth. :"
Indeed 1 have"
"No-not yet. Make the most of
it," She laughed, but sadly. "For
they say that once we give up the habit
of thinking, we can't form it anew. An
old professor Of mine used to declare
that 90 out of every 100 persons ceases
absolutely to think after reaching the
age of 25. All their living is done be-
fore that fatal hour. For women he
used to add 100 out of every 100!"
I'VE are the inferior sex, indeed
And you believe it, Natalie?"
Move are the superior sex, since
we are custodians of the future race
the superior sex, but the in
ferior humans. But this, of course,
is difficult era for women. We have
lost the homely pursuits Of our grand
mothers. Machinery has absorbed the
work of the old-fashioned home. (.
AS yet, we've found nothing to take
its place. We are inferior only be-
cause we've ceased to strive; we've
been too content to sit and take"
Nora Lee had ceased to listen.
The blood ran in little veins of fire
to her neck, and she caught her
breath with a twinge of pain. Ma
tales eyes we're lighted gray pools /;
the pale, eager face cleaned as
though it's every cell were a living
thing. Ninety-nine out of every 100
might die; Natalie Herbert was vi
brant with life.
Nora Lee recalled suddenly the
careless remark of Dane: "Oh, she's
got other interests! She's genera
tons beyond the clothes worship
stage!"
Unaccountably, and though she
fought against it, a chill settled on
her spirit.
That night Max and Natalie dined
with them. Afterwards they sat in
the living room. As before, Max
asked Natalie to play.
NORA LEES PLEA.
She said: THE day has been too
filled with excitement, Max"
"Oh, come, Dane, entertain Nora
Lee and me-" Max urged.
But Dane sat with arms folded,
his feet outstretched: ENTERTAIN
yourself, Max. Didn't I let you look
at better than a harem today? And
feed you with delectable viands to-.
night?"
Because she was perversely angry
with herself-because she had deter.
mined with all her soul that she'd
not yield again to any jealousy, Nora
Lee said calmly: "Play anyway,
Dane. Dow
He asked slowly. half reluctant ::
do you wish to, Natalie? We might
as WE'LL
She took her place at Margaret's
old piano. They played. But finally
her hands fingered. The notes be-
came fainter and fainter. "No more
Dane" she murmured.
But he was now athrill-selfish
with the pleasure music afforded
him.
"Play on !" he ordered.
Her hands obeyed.
THE INVITATION.
But presently she raised her hand,
her lips always family coral, w're
now colorless-a lcaden smudge. "No
more" she pleaded. Il can't bear it
i cannot"
The tones were scarcely audible,
but the white look of supplication
made their meaning plain.
Nora Lee saw her utter pallor.
what were you saying, Max? You
have book you want me to criti-
else? Me! Why, l died two years
ago! Don't you know that. q"
Dane folded the music, his lips
compressed.
"W.l you read it, Nora Lee Max
repeated.
She looked at him. an odd. sudden
resolution in her eyes: Yes! Bring
the book tomorrow. Max. i will have
the whole afternoon"