Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-24

ward the table, opposite Constance. what .
frightful mess!"
you've heard SO soon," Constance'S words
were distant, wondering.
'Heardl All the relatives in town are at tho
house pow-wowingl Worst scandal the family
ever faced" He dropped into a chair, his hands
clasping violently on the table. How could
you, Constancel Telling me-why, you said
they were fools. the women, talking about her.
You meant my mother, too! And all the time
you even helped her get away"
"Oh!" Constance stared her fingers rubbing
over the pages Of the letter. "You think that?"
eff you had only told mel" Lynn ground one
fist into his other palm. ST could have stopped
them. Your mother! My cousin! Why, the
town viii never be through talking about it."
What affair is it of theirs? Or ours? Con-
stance pushed unsteadily to her feet, and re.
treated slowly until she had backed against the
window.
"You think it's all right, then! Fine!" He
strobe around the table toward her so abruptly
that Constance moved her hands to her breasts
palms outward, In faint gesture Of protection.
That's what you meant the other nights
About going with me-you knew this would
come out, You wanted to be safe"
eyes, knew this would happen" Her white
eyelids folded down. shutting out his angry.
bulgng eyes, 81 didn't know just how. That
doesn't make any difference. You don't have to
marry me. You're quite free. couldn't marry
yOut Live In the mouse WIFI CndC OLU WOLuaue
your mother! Hear her thinkingl Like o
hawk, circlng, waiting for chance to pouncc.
She would say to you, What can you expect OF
the daughter Of such woman? Blood win teng
Oh, she has already said that to you! I can see
it." Constance had seen; just flicker Of adj
mission in the midst Of his fumbling, confused
anger.
"You think should be ashamed? You'd IKE
me to cry and be humble and +" ." Constance
turned away: the Winter night beyond the wins
dow, seemed to lay chill fingers on her cheek
and throat; she heard the sl-slip of the melting
snow beneath the pines. you'd better gos
Lynn" she said, quietly. go tell them, YOU
mother and the rest, the town, that you aren
going to bring that woman's daughter into the
sacred family"
st haven't asked you to break the engage
ment." Lynn retreated step; his truculence
had note Of bewilderment. II felt you hadn'e
played fair"
"You didn't even have a doubt, did you?1
Constance was motionless; only her voice
reached out, living, with the leaping rhythm OF
fame. "You didn't wonder what felt You
were sure. Listen, and will tell you how 7
feel Not ashamed. have done nothing. NY
mother-for years have seen her mada
wretched by talk; by what people said of her.
Because she was different. Gossipl Before she
married she sang on the stage and so he must
be-well, you know what they have said In this
little, cruel town. And-of this am ashamed
II nave Deeu On TIE SlC6 OF the COWu, CrIL1CaIt
trying to make her over until built wall be-
tween us. might have helped her. didn't.
think she has gone now as much because OF
thinks that people said as because she loved
John BarSe.
your mother! The Hollis are important;
aren't they? It was such pity you should
take fancy to mel But perhaps wasn't Hles
my motherl That was what they said, wasn't
it? And wanted people to think that Of me.
wanted to be circumspect and conventional
and respectable But loved you thought
you were just and fair and fine. Then begaEE
to be afraid. was growing up and did not
know It, Ny fear was truth, and have see3i0
for the first time tonight. The town has made
you like itself. You don't know what mean
do you?" Constance faced him. "You cAm6
tonight, believing all they said of me. All the
worst. In spite Of love. Your mother has won
out"
"It isn't what she said! It's you, ConstanceI
You must see that was justified. DO you think
I wanted to believe you had tricked me? That
you could lie? Suggesting that we run offi
Maybe you thought that would sidetrack atten-
ton from your mother. What else can think?.
Nothing else" Constance's hands drifted
down, empty of desire. Her eyes strained with
queer wonder; could this be Lynn! This harsh;
flushed face, with the twisting cruel MOUTH "E
don't believe you ever loved mel Acting Ike
this!"
Lynn seized her wrists, swung her arms out hi
q wide arc.
Let me go! Believe that, too if you can!~
She fell back against the window frame as he
released her. There's no use talking. Go ten
them you are free. You don't have to marry
me. Let them say-of course he wouldn't marry
her! Taking her into his family after what
happened"
IT haven't asked to be released"
"You want that, too! That little sop-to your;
pride" Constance laughed, her soft, wistfuH
upper Lip thin line Of crimson. "You may
have it! won't marry you. Now go homel"