The Washington times., 1930-12-19
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, we'll say I've been taken Ill
and postponed the wedding inde-
finitely. Oh, Jim, it's far bet
ter this way than to chain our
selves to lifelong unhappiness.
We still have time to stop 1t.
Don't-don't feel so badly, dear.
You'll thank me some day
His face was ghostly white.
She thought he was about to
break into tears, and he did.
Tears Of rage and baked desires
swan in his eyes and streamed
down his cheeks.
"For a damn, low-flung girl
off Tenth Avenue you'd throw
me down." he declared, in a
shaking voice. "You take me
and make a monkey Of me
push me out on quicksands and
let me sink"
"Hush-hush-you don't know
what you're saying!"
IF a man did a girl like
this she could sue him for
: breach Of promise, if he had
anything" Jim Tracy cried,
bitterly. what have I done to
change you? I never dreamed
anything would happen like
this"
Connie looked at him with
discerning eyes. Before her was
no trace Of staunch character
that a wife might lean upon.
She found herself pitying him.
you'll get over it," she said,
wisely.
Jobs Comforter
Fright now you feel terribly
disappointed-but, actually, I
don't think you love me at all.
like you, Jim-but I think
we both took love too much for
granted. We can at least be
friends, always"
He struggled to retain his
composure. II believe you mean
that!"
"I mean every word Of it,"
But won't release you!"
She almost smiled at his
childiShneSs, but she had no
heart to hurt him.
Don't be foolish, Jim. I've
been sleeping, but now I'm
awake. And I'm not going to
be driven into a marriage be-
cause Of any silly pride in re-
fusing to call it off. And it
doesn't mean we have to give
each other up. Well stay
friends. Be a good sport, Jim.
You wouldn't want me to marry
you If 7 decided at the last
minute I didn't love you"
"It's not fair, and you know
1t isn't" he protested.
call right-have it your own
way. It's not fair and I'm act
ing like a beast, but wer're not
going to be married tomorrow"
you'll change your mind in
the morning." he predicted,
miserably. IT can't believe
my own ears when you talk this
way"
IT don't change my mind
that easily. Jim, dear" she
smiled at him. "Come on, boy,
buck up and take 1t all like a
man. Drop over to the house
tomorrow afternoon, If you like,
and we'll have a talk. I know
you're all shot over this, and
so am I, but it's the best way"
Jim's Refusal
II refuse to look upon this as
final" he stated. "It's merely
a postponement If you stick to
your crazy decision. # it's q
matter Of money that you want
your sister to have, I agree to
settle with her on some reason
able terms If you insist"
TITS not money; it's what lies
behind money, Jim. Now go
home. Kiss me goodnight and
good-by, and don't worry about
1t any more. You must be sensi-
ble." -,
She leaned forward and kiseds
him. This, she knew, was the
end Of their romance. There
was much that was lovable in
Jim Tracy, but an awakened
wisdom told her that he had a
streak Of weakness and mean
ness that would make life un-
bearable for his wife. Thank
God, she had found it out in
time! Yet, she still felt the
same old fondness for him, out
in a diminished degree. What
he had venerated in her, she
realized, was not her heart, but
her money. And even for this
she could forgive him. Looking
back, she could scarcely believe
that she had even been self
deceived that she really loved
Jim Tracy.
Back home, she slipped into
the house and waited for dawn.
Without undressing, she sat in
q deep, comfortable chair In her
own bed room, and gradually q
little troubled sleep closed her
eyes.
Continued Tomorrow
Copyright, 1880. King Features