San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-03
-: ! \ \ T. II: III
David Bitterly Assails His
Aunt for Condemning
Chickie.
CHAPTER LXXxIv

Chickie went back to her
patient. She moved in a fiery
stiffness. Scraps of Mrs. Bur-
dell's accusations darted into
her mind: Morally loose J"
You do as you please and
then come back and attempt
to marry a man of prestige
and family and brilliance."
She was saying all this
now to David. Why was he so angered
that his aunt had visited her? Didn't
he realize the impossibility of any
association between himself and her?
Why then did he have that cold,
furious look when he asked what
the mystery was? Why did he stare
at her in such hurt, piercing way
when she said that matter was of
no consequence to bert was closed.
Chickie kept walking into the
hall-snatching a moment to think-
to cool her blazing cheeks-to fight
against the return of that high tide
of feeling. But she remembered
that he took her hand, half plead
ing-"you owe at least some candor
to me-in the merest friendship
even"
Now he was gone to his aunt's
and in a threatening, hostile mood.
you may not have to answer 70
me, Helena-though l think you
Shouldn't she SHALL
She wondered what he would do
and why-vhy was it of "the great
est consequence to him."
David found his aunt at home.
She was in her sitting room-a small
place furnished in teakwood and
with faded colors of dove gray and
old wine. She sat now in a deep
chair. her feet on stool. Seeing
David she took off her glasses, the
aggressive, olive face softening:
You've come for Dulcie? Why
didn't you phone? The dear child
didn't even think you'd f1attered her
by hearing the invitation. So they're
gone. Ny dear boy, honor me with
a visit, won't you? She motioned
to q rather ornate cabinet in the
corner: Help yourself"
He ignored this and stood with
his arms folded on the back of
high, straight chair. There was
smile on his lips, studied and cold.
He would have to go carefully or
he would learn nothing. And he
knew Emily Burdell well enough 10
sense this.
Thanks, Emily. Too bad ] missed
Dulcie. I've only a few moments.
By the way" CHe spoke with a
suppressed quiet). "Wby did you
deny knowing Miss Bryce? Don't
you recall your rather eKtraordl-
nary visit TO the Nurses Home a
few months ago?"
She pushed her book with a sharp
movement along the arm Of her
chair, her lips tightening: Yes !
Well, may have reason for forget
ting it! And certainly she has! J
nay have delicacy enough to deny
recalling a most unpleasant though
necessary interview. But see she
hasn't"
who made the scene unpleasant,
Emily? And what made it ueccs-
ssry for you to have this inter
view? To protect me?"
Into his low, deliberate tones
went vibrating n surchargc of an
ger. It was not lost on his aunt.
Now listen. my dear boy, before
you let that little temper Of yours
fly off. i had good reasons for
calling on this Miss Bryce"
What were they
PLENTY, / can assure you. And
il the young lady had any feeling
and any fairness she would have
understood my motives and respect
ed them. She would not, under any
circumstances whatever, have re-
peated the matter to you. 1t is a
shameful breach of confidence
Let that go, Emily-but what
we're your motives? Why play the
CONTINUED on Page 10. Part 81