Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-11-08
1t Was Loves
Answer
BY DUFoRD JENNIE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
(Copyrlght.l

NNopyriBnt.b
A UDREY FISKE snuggled into the
cushions of her sleek roadster,
and turned down the street In a rather
absent minded mood, her mind on the
handsome, sOft-spoken man she had
seen in the bookshop. It was not
often that Audrey let her dancing
thoughts muse on men-and this man
was stranger!
She had first been attracted by his
voice, rich and quiet, as he asked a
question of clerk In the shop. Then
she noticed that he was good-looking
In fresh, vigorous, outdoor way.
She swung into the avenue, and
started her car at swlfter pace. Sud-
denly, figure seemed to appear in
front of her. It was over In a mo-
ment-a wild moment of confusion.
She flung all her weight on the brakes.
The car swerved and halted-but not
soon enough There was q dull thud,
and a man was crashed to the street.
Blurred impression came. She stifed
scream-it was the man she had
seen in the bookshopl He lay silent
in an odd heap. Panic overlook her,
a wild desire to escape, and she fed
homeward.
She found her father reading In his
library. Quoted at last In his arms,
she told her story. He told her not
to worry, that he would take care Ct
the matter, sud calling In his secre-
tary, ordered him to locate the man
through the police lists, see him, and
arrange some money payment, but not
to reveal the source from Which It
came.
Two hours later, the secretary re-
ported that the mans name was Chris
tOpher Martin, that he said the fault
was his, that he was day-dreamlng
when he stepped into the street.
"Guess that ends 1t, youngster," Mr..
Flske said "You hit an honest man
this time"
It was not the end for Audrey, how
ever. In the weeks that followed,
he become something Of secret but
attractive memory. His voice, as she
had heard 1t in the bookshop, rich,
quiet voice that would have magic In
1t IL 1t spoke tenderIy to someone, the
air of serene distinction about him
these and other memories stayed with
her. She had looked up his name in
the city directory, and had learned
that he was landscape artist. Once
in another car-she had stolen out to
the beautiful suburban section where
he had lived, but she had not seen
him on the grounds Of the rose-yined
house where the street address d.
rected her.
SO she was prompt with sugges-
tlon, when her father remarked that
he must have the grounds at their
summer home remodeled, that she
knew landscape artist who would do
the work. Her father left the matter
In her hands, glad to be relieved Of 1t.
Her fathers secretary had told her
that Martin had no idea who had hit
him. so she went on her venture with.
out much dread. When she came to
the house, however, and saw him, she
was a little weak at the realization
that she was to face him. But she
took courage and went on.
He turned at her step from the
roses he was trimming.
"HellO," his deep, mellow voice
greeted her.
Audrey rallied. "What lovely place
In which to work, Mr.. Martln-and ]
have come to take you away"
He chuckIed. "As long as l can
come back, shall not worry"
She told him her fathers plans, and
he agreed to accept the assignment.
She wanted to llnger, but could find
no excuse. He started with her to-
ward her Garland she barely stifed
the cry on her lips that rose from her
heart. She saw now that he limped
as he walked.
That night was an unhappy one for
her. The only way seemed to be to
see no more OF him. But she could
not keep away, and next afternoon
she went to her country home. In
spite Of the pain in the association
with him, she was happy enough to
want to go agaln-and then again and
again.
Finally, her father said with Il faint
smile, "Are you more interested In the
artist or the gardenlngT
Somehow Audrey laughed her an
swer off.
The work at the estate drew to
close. One late afternoon, she and
Christopher sat together looking down
the vista of the grounds. Through
those days she had guessed that she
had come TO mean more to him than
his employers daughter, but she was
not ready for his answer to the ques
tIOn she asked:
"HOw sweet It must be to spend
your life making things beautiful.
Don't you think of 1t In just that
wayf"
His voice had note that echoed
through her. 81 debut this Is the
best have done-and you were the
Inspiration. Now II ! could always
have you--"
She was In his arms before she
knew what she had said or suggested;
It was n wild, delicious, glorious mo-
ment Then she remembered-she had
crippled him. She tore herself from
his arms, and told him breathlessly
what she knew.
His voice was full Of pain. II for
got, Audrey. that I am crippled. l
knew you were the one. Your father
told me, But can't blame you IL you
don't want a crippled husband, If"
my dear" she began, but words
would not come, and the finished SEN
tence was kiss that gave him her
surrender and her love.