The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-02
By Vida Hurst

y
than you realize. Until this after
noon 1 had not given UP hope. But
I see now that it was bound to end
this way" He shrugged we'll tailored
shoulders. lone can't escape fate. y
Those were his last words to her
For days afterwards they rang in
her ears, the irony of them spoken
by him that day!
AS she entered the apartment the
telephone rang. Sonia answered it,
knowing we'll it must be Franklin,
His voice was hoarse and cruel.
"Oh, you're home are your"
ibid you wish to speak with me,
franklin"
Sonia, I must see you"
Her hand frightened about the re-
ceiver, but she answered, mot after
the scene you staged In the Office
this afternoon"
"But I've got to see you. I've
something important to tell you"
The desire in his voice was like
fierce hand at her throat, that she
gasped, "Oh. well, then. for a little
while"
His receiver clicked in her ear.
She sat 1nertly, waiting. She
should have gone to Stockton that
afternoon, not waited until Satur-
day. Why had she written that she
would not be home until then? Not
that her letter mattered. She could
still go on Friday if she wished.
But she did not wish to go. Harassed
by indecision, wracked with doubts,
she waited.
BY the time Franklin came, she
was in state Of cold, passionless
nervousness. Fear of him was up
permost. But the moment he came
in his faded anguish countenace
pierced through her fright.
He shouted, you aren't playing
square with me-"
TRY not to be insulting, Frank
lin. You don't want to marry me-"
ooh God, you know I do"
Her face blanched at his tone,
but she replied, "At any rate you
couldn't see your way clear to break.
ing your engagement with someone
else"
as it too late now?"
"Yes," she said firmly. "It Is too
late"
He sank upon the davenport and
stretched out shaking arms. She
knew he had been drinking again.
but now she felt that his misery
was some excuse for him.
II can't Franklin. I think you
better go. I shouldn't have let you
come at all"
An irresistible force was drawing
her to him.
She cried, mo, I won't kiss you.
never want to kiss you again"
But her lips met his exultantly.
She lay painting against his heart.
She could feel it's wild throbbing be-
meath her gown.
ooh, Sonia, you know love you.
life as I do you. How can you treat
me like this?
you wouldn't let me be sweet to
you. You drove me to 1t.
why couldn't you have had a lit
tie patience, sweetheart? 1 told you
I would play fair"
"I suppose you did mean to-" she
agreed sadly. But the cards seemed
stacked against u.s."
Sonia, do you remember what
you said after our Sunday in Pr
rates Cover"
What a dreary distance that had
covered since that one perfect day.
Sonia shivered.
"You said you took your fate in
your hands and twisted 1t to suit
yourself. Are you afraid to say that
now2"
She hid her face upon his shout.
der, and its faint tobacco odor re.
minded her Of Don, her husband,
whose wishes she had promised to
respect. She pushed the hair from
her forehead, crying, "Maxine's
death made a coward Of me-
you are no coward, darling. And
you belong to me by every law I'M
der heaven"
The blood was racing in her veins.
The old attraction flared between
them like an electric current. His
blue eyes were pleading, Don't be
cruel" His mouth, wistful with
longing, begged her to be kind.
She drew his face down to hide
the sight of it.
She whispered, ooh, darling, you
know I love you"
i've been through hell, Sonia. I