The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-05-05
SANDY s H..s hnEs .5 lcM MEaknlT'

Author OF &c II T. r. T.
Il guess I'll go, Bob. 1 might as
we'll go now" She raised her eyes,
brought a trembling smile to her
lips. tits too bad I had to spoil
your case. Isn't it?"
Poor little kid! It's damn
shame" He held Sandy's elbows:
There, you'll be all right. Maybe
we can get you out of 1t yet. I'll drop
around tonight. Talk it over with
you. Want me to drive you home?"
She shook her head; in a frenzy
to be alone, suddenly overborne with
the wish to cry; to cast herself on
the ground and beat maddeningly
with her fists.
TITS all overall over" she
found herself whimpering as she
hurried past familiar stores; as she
bowed dizzily to old Mrs. March
standing in the doorway. II better
stop crying! Oh Lord, Lord"
a bright January sun made the
waters dazzle; made the island loom
dark and clear across the channel.
Sandy walked slowly along the
pier. At the far end she sat down,
letting her feet dangle.
How easy to slide to the edge,
plunge downward. II might as
well. Why don't I? l wonder why
I DON'T
She had Ramon's letter in her
hand. Like a living and ptsetls
thing like himself as he stood that
night in the rain folding her to him,
water from his white, despairing
face falling on hers.
He said she was burned in him
burned into the fiber Of his being.
He was gone yet these words of his
remained.
She stopped down, slow burning
tears dropped into the water.
With a crucifying sharpness she
saw herself stepping lightly along
the beach in Honolulu; the night
drenched with stars her heart
thrilled with a gay expectance hear
ing Ramon's voice at her shoulder.
How queenlille and arrogant when
she turned to him with haunting:
II like being loved. I wish to be
adored"
How careless and blithely it start.
ed! She cringed under the scourge
Of her memory.
Her whole life was a blunder-
every day of it! If she had only
been brave for one single hour. If
she had only once courageously
measured up. Then she would never
have married Murillo: she would
never have brought a child so -un-
happily to the world; never have
turned with such pathetic despera-
ton to Ramon
stop" she now whispered softly
you might as we'll stop this She
pressed her hands over her face
shutting out the image of Douglas
II don't deserve him. she told her
self coldly. He'll be happier a
thousand times with Judith"
q IL
wished that, Ramon were near. Then
she would go to him and give her
self up. She deserved to be pun
shed; deserved ITO be sacrificed. 1t
would serve her right!
She took out her vanity case. care
fully wiped away tears. They gath
cred quickly. Don't cry for your
SELF" she said smiling, and she had
q sudden revealing intuition that she
must go away-she must go away
quietly-return to the cityg say to
Douglas, ut can't be; don't grieve
for me-" and very simply raise her
face upward smile and kiss him as
though no heart could break.
Yes, she would do this.
She reached the old back gate.
The grapevines' had a wintry, dis
mantled look. The old white cat
came purring against Sandy's shoe.
She lifted it, buried her face in the
soft fur. She said numbly, "Goodby,
cat-goodby, old cat"
She walked a few steps-halted.
Give Douglas up? She must give
Douglas up. She began to tremble.
She steadied herself against the
fence, whispering Overwhelmingly,
"Why, I can't do this! Lord
CAN'T
Her heart beat dizzily. AS though
she were half blind, she went stun
bling to the kitchen.
1t was late. Angus and Alice
were sitting at the table. Her
fathers face had a set, ironed out
look. He got up stiffly, moved his
chair.
When she was seated sheN found
the large green eyes blazing at hers.
Have you deciddeed to drop your
suit? l had a visit from your hus-
band an hour ago. 1t would be the
price of you If your uncle-my only
brother-became murderer. The
price Of your
That night Bob Mcneil called. He
I 4. I.