The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1926-09-30
His Admiration Had
Been Killed
By JESSIE H. ERNST

Stanley Townsend wondered
whether he really loved Gloria
Canes. He had many symptoms,
but he wasn't positive. A great I'M
portance seemed to cling to any
thing she admired. There was al
ways JOY In being with her and lone
Illness In not seeing her.
THAT night he haI an engagement
to take her to dinner. 1t was Sun
day. It had proved dull day. He
paid a. few unimportant calls and
then went to his club. 1t was al
most six o'clock. He was just get
ting into his overcoat to go home
to dress when he encountered Harry
Clark, d fellow member and a cas-
ual friend. - Clark was also about
to leave, e - ...s.. .''s, .
.T'il walk a way with you, Town
send, II. you wait a few seconds.
I've. promised to telephone a girl
about. party she is arranging. But
Il won't. take me a second" Clark
beloved a. telephone number to the
switchboard operator 1t was Gloria
Canes number. Townsend gasped.
choked and waited. The telephone
booth was right next to him. Clark's
voice from inside came through the
glass door and could be plainly
heard. Anything for papa's pet !"
Clark was saying. "Oh, you beau
tiful doll! Let me kiss away the
bluesl I'll be there tomorrow
night with. bells on, and you'd bet
ter put q court plaster on that
mole!''
Clark put down the receiver and
with q radiant smile of satisfaction
opened the door Of the booth.
Townsend uttered a few banal
words, Forgotten engagement.
I've got to hurry on"
Clark nodded good naturally and
picked up a magazine. Ever read
this article on being positive?"
Townsend flung a curt "No." and
hurried out.
Being positive! 1t was remark
able how a simple thing will accom-
plish what weeks of mental debate
will not. Marriage versus celibacy.
In less than two minutes his adj
miration for Gloria Canes had been
tive that he did not want to marry
her or anyone else.
He would take her to dinner, but
that would end their friendship for
ever. He had often heard others
talk of the torture of disillusion.
Townsend felt that at last he knew
the reality of it.
He was cold and distant when
Gloria entered the drawing room in
her shimmering gown of mountain
haze and silver He helped her on
with the evening coat without the
usual tremble that made his hands
awkward. He suggested the res
taurant they dine at, instead Of wait
Ing for her suggestion. He pointed
out to the headwaiter the table that
he wanted, instead of waiting timid-
ly to be shown to the worst table
In the room. When he asked Gloria
what she wished to eat and she
said "You order" he did, and or
dered anything he wanted.
At last they were back In
Gloria's room, and it was time to
say goodnight. But Gloria went
W Tic plduO duu SldItcu " pay.
Something dreamy and soothing. He
lighted cigarette, then put it out
and felt for his pipe.
''I'm not going to see you any
more. 1 want to say good-by," he
began. Gloria continued to play.
"Gloria. did you hear what !
said?"
Yes
Doesn't it mean anything to
your"
.'That you are not going to see
me any more; that you want to say
goodbye"
yes"
"You might see me again. acct
dentally.s
''I'm not fooling."
"Are you leaving the city?''
mo. But something happened
tonight to completely disillusion me
with YOU
"What happened?"
81 overheard your conversation
with Harry Clark. He called you
up from the club and quite acct
dentally l happened to be standing
near him. Will you please stop play
ing that stupid music?"
tits beautiful music l mayn't
be playing it as well as it could be
played"
II want your attention"
II am listening. You said You
were disillusfoned with me, because
you heard Harry Clark telephone
me-"
Have you ever kissed Harry
Clark ?"
81 don't think so.''
Think sol Don't you known"
Were awfully good friends. I've
known him for years
IF you knew me for years you'd
kiss meY"
Perhaps"
And then strange thing hap.
pened. Some impelling emotion
made Townsend take Gloria very
roughly In his arms and kiss her
with cruel ardor and desire. Glorip
lay quietly and unresisting.
When Townsend finally released
her, Gloria managed to say: ssYou
weren't disillusioned; you were
merely jealous"
The next day when Harry CLARK
telephoned Gloria she sparkled II
transports of happiness over thu
wire. "You must have acted til,
part marvelously. He was terribl,
Jealous. We got engaged last night
rye promised never to see yor
again" -.
"Perhaps some day we'll tell him
BY the way, do you want that ar
ticie back-being positive? couldn'
get him to read it last night"
ats all right. He doesn't ueet
1t now"