San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-04-15
NARY'S HEAR
FILLED WITH
SADNESS
John Rogers Thoughts Are
Constantly on Luella
Loder.
Continued From Page u

mind-against me. believe you con-
slider me responsible for what the Tim.
kins woman did. You're cruel, Mary
-cruel and unjust" His young voice
trembled.
Hot tears rose to her eyes. She
laid her basket on the grass and
turned to him.
"oh, don't say that. It's just-oh |!
the shock of everything!"
He caught his underlip with a swift
intake of breath.
''But a shock wouldn't make you
turn away from me? If-if you cared
for me at all, it would only draw us
closer, Mary"
Silence between them. Through the
trees, the light fell all around in dap
pied. golden showers.
"You don't give me a chance.
You've changed" His face was anx-
ious, strained. A hurt note was in
his voice.
Il haven't" She flung out her
hand in little helpless gesture. Its
circumstances. Oh, don't you--don't
you understand?
He caught her hand in his. So
soft it was, so white. His pulses
raced.
Il only understand that l am des-
perately unhappy, Mary"
She drew away from him. He saw
the shadows round her eyes, the tired
pallor of her face.
"And what of poor Luella's mis-
cry" The words were low. He just
heard them, and no more.
4 dark flush rose to his forehead.
So you do blame me for what oc-
Cured? 1t was because | asked you
here. 1t was because that-that crea-
ture-was once married TO my brother.
1Ou look on me as an Outcast. You
are cruel"
"Oh, Philip, you misunderstood. A
| tear ran down the Wilderness of her
tired young face. She brushed it hastily
! away.
Il don't. | see it all. And now YOUR
killing yourself with worry. You won't
leave Luella'S sick room for a moment.
You look as though you haven't slept
in days and days"
She moved away from him, and
leaned against a tree. He could see
the weary droop of her shoulders, and
the pathetic working of her face.
But he was hurt-so hurt!
Why should she treat him so?
He followed her.
Won't you give me an explana-
tiOn?"
She turned and looked at him-a
long and sorrowing glance.
| "Oh, you must knOw-the reason I
avoid you" She drew in q sharp
and quivering breath, like little stab
of anguish. "It,s-it's because of Lu-
ella"
Just as ! said" His lips set D.
fully. And now you will scarcely leave
her"
oh, Philip, listen. Still you don't
understand. It's that she-LuelIa-oh,
she loves you, Philip. She talks of you
necessarily to me. She says-she never
knew until this happcned-how terribly
she cares--fOr you"
His face went white as chalk. He
stared incredulOuSly at Mary Forrest.
ana then, as though something had
snapped inside him, he gave a harsh
and grating laugh.
Lucia threw me over the moment
l lost this property. NOw-when it's
mine again-she wants me back. She
takes me for a fOOl-a-,
Hush" His listeners tones were
shocked-immeasurably sad, as we'll.
She says, over and over. that she
loves you. And-and you did ask her
to marry you, Philip"
He suddenly leaned against the tree,
his young face white and drawn.
But that was long agO--a momen.
tary fit of madness. II didn't know
the real Lucia. 1t was-oh, it was
nothing but infatuatiOn, Mary. Never
the real thing. Not like YOU and mo !"
Continued Tomorrow