The Washington times., 1930-09-08
CHAPTER 81

b ~sA@AA@N@ w RAAAAA Ss8A@~Nt SAAS AA9AA1
Of d single lamp threw a faint
golden glow from the far cor.
ner OF the long. dark room.
Cathie still lay in Gordon's
arms. The sobs tslat had racked
her, that had torn at her throat
and blinded her eyes, had
ceased. She lay still, and con-
tent.
She knew that it was late.
She ought to 60 upstairs and
dress for dinner. She must look
. fright, dress all crushed, eyes
all red. Alfred would be coming
this couldn't 60
Her eyelids fluttered open.
She opened her mouth to speak,
"Gordon, / think"
His mouth covered hers. He
wouldn't let her talk, wouldn't
let her think. He was kissing
her again. She shouldn't let
him in a minute she'd
send him away, for always :
because she was married, and
she loved him, and this couldn't
60 on, 1t wasn't right.
Farewell Kiss
"Cathie. darling, I love you
sol"
II know-I know"
'KisS mel"
Gordon, it must be late. We
ought to-
kiss me again, Cathie."
This is the last time." she
whispered, and clung to him cry
ing a little again, because it
would really have to be the last
time. And how do people that
love each other like this ever
part? Her lips found his. Don't
send him away right now
In a minute in a minute
He sat up suddenly. gently un-
twined her clinging arms. Ssh!
:. Someone at the door!"
Cathie stiffened, felt sick and
guilty.
She waited duly, while he
9trode to the hall door, opened
It, so that the bright light from
without streamed in.
''It's your nerves." she told
him, almost reproachfully when
he came back, after shutting the
door behind him.
81 suppose so. There was no
one there" But he knew that
he hadn't been mistaken. There
had been som one. MY
watch has stopped. Have you
the time?"
Trouble BrewS
She shook her head. mo. But
It must be way past eight.
wonder If Alfred has been kept
for q conference? Funny Cheong
didn't bring any message. I
hope there's nothing wrong!"
81 must go. I should never
have come" he said. He began
10 walk up and down, excitedly.
Cathie lit another lamp, tried
to smooth her ruffled hair.
"You poor kid. You poor
little chick and I, making
things worse. Oh, I blame my
self. It's all my fault. It could
have been avoided. My God,
what a meSS!" 49,.
She listened, vaguely troubled.
She didn't want him to suf-
fer for her, but it was nice
=" oh, so nice, to have
somebody care.
Don't! Please don't Gordon.
It couldn't be helped. I wouldn't
have it different. I've been
happy since I've known you
loved me. I'm h-happy now
"oh, don't mind my crying.
-" It's because I'm happy
" and nothing will ever
matter again"
my darling! My darling
grill"
mo, no, no. You must go.
We mustn't see each other any
more!"
Eyes. must CO." They chung
to each other. His cheek was
wet with her tears.
Talk of Divorce
"This Is goodbye" he said,
how much later he did not
know. The pink ashes in the
fireplace had turned gray. The
fire was out. Cathie still leaned
heavily against his shoulder,
her face close to him. Can I
kiss you again, Catherine, be-
cause it's goodbye?"
She lifted her white face.
In the hall he kissed her
once more, holding her tight,
thinking, This is the end. Tn
losing her. can't bear it"
Catherine, other people
other people find ways" His
voice vas hoarSe, but he forced
himself to. go on. He knew it
wouldn't do any good, but he
had to say it, After all. this is
an era of personal freedom 1.
Divorce Is a way"
She was smiling a little
through her tears. She just
shook her head. mo, not for us.
Alfred :. oh, my dear, don't
yoU see I couldn't do that to
him?"
Eyes, Cathie." He turned his
head away. She had the feeling
that he was crying. Do men
cry? She put out her arms
again, wanting to comfort him,
feeling helpless. not knowing
what to do or say.
Goodbye, Catherine, my dar-
ling"
Goodbye" She could only