New Britain herald., 1929-07-15

was through, through, She had tried her best and she had failed. What if they did still need her: She was sick unto death of think ing of them all the time, of crucify- ing her love every day on the cross of self-sacrifice.
 She was cramming dresses into suitcase when a low knock inter- rupted her. Her heart leaped. Oh couldn't she ever learn not 10 hope? Let him knock. Slowly Jerk- lily, she crept toward the door to open to her husband
 CHAPTER NNNIV
 For the first time since she had come to occupy it three months before, John Curtis Morgan stepped into his Wife's bedroom. Nan, clnsing to the knob, retreated slow ly to make way for him. His face was flushed but grim with deter imitation. He did not see the dis order of the room, the half packed suitcase; his black eyes bored into hers.
 Nan. Nan," How thick and queer his voice was. What did you mean, when you said l was stupid, blind? Nan Tell me-" he urged with curious violence.
 T won't tell you-anything.." she gasped, retreating from him until the door banged against the wall. I've got to know.' He was al most shouting at her, and the flush on his grim, lean face grew darker 'Dld you mean-could you possibly mean-that you-love mc?" Mans hands released the door knob. flew to her cheeks. pressed hard into them, but she did not try to hide her eyes from him. She had never looked so proud as sh 7. did in her moment of supreme hu- initiation. "Of course l love you." Her nostrils and lips quivered Why do you think I married you? ?" Why was he staring at he~ so blankly, so incredulously? "An,l
  go away, oh, go away. You might have left me my pride-'
 She whirled sharply away from him, but the next instant her small body was spun about again, but this time not in obedience to her will. but by the strength of hls arms, a strength that for a mo- ment threatened to crush in her ribs. Not that she felt the pain.
 'l-don't want - your pity" she gasped against his coat. Let me
 Pity" h, laughed. in voice rough with emotion. "Oh. Nam"
 Somehow he shifted her so that ner head lay in the crook of his right arm. Above her, coming closer and closer, were his black eyes, liquidly brilliant, wider than she had ever seen them. It was like trying 10 face twin suns. Blinded, 1 she closed her own eyes. A thousand times Nan had dreamed of his first kiss, and now she learrad what pallid things l dreams can be beside ecstasy of reality. If he had released her when he lifted his head at last she would havc fallen to the floor. But he did not release her. Oh, no. no, she eXulted. as he held her head agains; his breast, so that she heard the deep, quick throbbing of his l heart
 Was that pity. Nano At least" he laughed, his voice Nibrat ing joyously. i've talk the same | language. For three months I've been telling myself that l didn't want your pity - that until you | learned to love me I'd not touch you - Oh, Nan, my darling. what stupid, blind fools we've both been! Two supposedly intelligent adults sick with love for each other, keep ing each other at a distance" i But little later she had to de | fend herself against his charge Of course. T don't see how you i can say l kept you at a distance. : she gasped jerkily, for her whole body was trembling.
 ! You locked me out on our wed ] ding night he reminded her gent ! ly. "I didn't reproach you. How could I? I thought you had marl led me out of pity-and because you wanted to be mother to the boy | All that day I had felt like ar exiled king about to be led into a new kingdom and then-l was 1 banished again. I blamed only my self, not you, tried to resign myself ! 10 the truth-that no woman could love me. I blamed you no more 1 than I blamed Iris"
 It was the first time that namc had passed his lips since thei; wedding day, Nan turned in his arms and stared up\at him, search ! ing his eyes with the last flare-u i of the old, sickening fear. No l thank God. the name had no; ! brought hack the shadow Of pair 10 his beloved eyes.
 Nan summoned all her courage 1 They must speak of Iris now, or | the name would forever stand I barrier between them. T thought