The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-05-07
SANDY % H..a snhs s5 acn MTckHlT;

He made a harsh, gasping sound
and clapped his hand over his
mouth. lie sat there with his eyes
closed, his .gahnt hand pressed
against his lips.
Finally, with his head lowered he
began speaking, Twice his voice
broke.
Il don't want to torture you.
Sandy You have no idea what this
absence has been to me. You don't
know how the emotions play on one
i'm an illness-the dreams of you
the hopes of YOU It seems you don't
care But how | pictured you; how
| walked the deck lost in visions of
you. once you and ! stood ON a ship
In the moonlight. You turned to me
your hands went to my neck. You
kissed me. | remember that.
Every night was that night
Every night your pale, wondrous
face was lifted to mine-gladly, lur-
lngly. | couldn't wait to get here
see you-hear You-take you in my
arms And now It Isl"
His profile seemed etched in stone
cold, brown stoneT lie reached
down, and took her hand, turned II
slowly. wonderingly in his. i've
thought of you as married to me.
Sandy. l belong to you and YOU to
me. You want me to cive YOU up
to another? I don't think | can.
cant live and give YOU up"
49,
Her heart stormed and "cringed
and protested He had no right to
hold her here-drown her in this
forbldding desolation-force her to
bend to his will!
She thought of Douglas Was he
waiting? What would he think-but
she wouldn't see him again-she
might never see him again. She had
frightened intuition that Ramou
wouldn't bring her back
Why are you talking SO. Ramon
Is there any sense in this? I've not
lied to YOU. You come back after
more than a years absence and YOU
go wild because a friend comes on
a Sunday TO take me for ride In
all this time do you think ! had no
right to smile at a living soul? No
right to make a friend?"
rs he only a friend, Sandy"
I've told you. You have surely
no right to act as you do"
mo. l have no right" He turned
humble, appealing eyes 10 hers. DO
you care for me at ALL Sandy? Do
you care at all?"
"Ot course, l do. 1t breaks nv
heart to have you looking so I'd
like to see you happy as you were "
His lips moved TREMENDOUSLY: do
you mean that, Sandy? You care
somewhat. Let me kiss you. VIII
you not kiss me?"
She wanted to sink down and
cover her face quickly. She was
ashamed for him in this appalling
weakness.
He saw only that she smilsd-that
she let her hand rest in his. lie
Kissed her. He put his arms about
her, hiding his face against her
shoulder
A throng Of dark blue clouds went
swirling past the hills. And two
white gulls with broad, shining pin
ions flew clearly to the sky.
The world goes on" Sandy
thought. Clouds and wind and end
less, mighty waves. $50"
Majesty Of hill and sky. eterna,
majesty quiet in the din Of little
sobs....
1--WE don't count" she brooded.
We care so much for ourselves
the world goes on"
She ran her hand over his hair in
sudden maternal pity Poor fellow
poor suffering spirit-clamoring
for peace-for gIadness-
You must take me home now.
Ramon"
viii you come to dinner to.
night"
No, ] cannot"
Tomorrow, them"
I'm going away"
"Where?"
Il want to get away"
You won't tell me where? Tell
me, Sandy | won't bother you. ]
| promise not to bother you. All. YOU
think me a coward-you think il
contemplate that ! ask for happl
ness. But is it? Il ask. very little
Only the right to be hear you
nothing else. You can grant this
You surely can grant this"
She let her head rest against the
seat. She was almost .fainting. feel
ing the weight Of his hands like
iron chains
you don't mean this first meet
ing to be our last, Sandy? Let me
have one day-one happy day? TO
morrow? A whole year i've waited
You can surely not refuse this little
tomorrow"
She nodded She said vaguely
Then it doesn't matter. / SEE
that 1t dosn't matter"
And when finally he drove her
home and there was no car Mt the
curb she ran up the steps without
one backward look.