Evening star., 1930-12-08
The Secret of -
MARGARET YORKE *
By Kathleen Norris ~
INsTALLMENT XIV.
By Kathleen Norris

INSTALLMENT XIV.
- HIRLEY went at about S o'clock;
and Stanley went softly into the
sick room, to find Margaret and
~ one OF the nurses watching. Mrs.
Cutting was restlesSly doing.
Margaret smiled at him, and followed
him into the hall, again beckoning him
into her room.
81 think either you or I had better
be there always, Stan. OF course, the
nurses know more than we do; but
still--there's a feeling about having
one Of her own there" she said.
What do you think?" he asked.
"Oh. think she will get well!" she
said, quickly. II don't dare think any
thing else" she added, slowly. IT don't
dare think what it would mean to me
70 have your aunt die!"
"Is there any reason why you
shouldn't stay on here and run the
house and Jim?" he asked. in a whisper.
"Yes-every reason" she answered
Unexpectedly. 81 couldn't-go on. My
whole life, all my plans. would be
wrecked. But I'm not going to think
Of that! She's going to get well!"
Are you so fond of her, Margaret"
Stanley asked, surprised.
Eyes, I am. But it's not that"
Margaret answered, honestly. II
wish I could tell you"
You've told her?" he asked. "She
knows-about you?"
mo"
''I wish that you were free" Stanley
said suddenly and irrationally
"You wouldn't bel" she reminded
him, with her rare smile.
Eyes, but I would take you away
thousands of miles, to the mountains
back of Rio-or to the Canadian
woods-you're so good to us all, you're
50 tired!" Stanley said, laughing nerv-
ously, hardly knowing what he said or
did, his arm suddenly tight about her
slim shoulders, her dusky head resting
against him. His voice was strained;
he felt himself tremble.
"Ah, wish you might. I wish you
might, Stan!" Margaret answered,
wearily and quietly. And, turning in
dis embrace, she raised her face to his,
q puzzled look of childish wonderment
and wistfulness in her dark eyes. STAN
ley bent his mouse-colored head-she
was not very tall woman, after all
and they kissed each other.
It was a kiss two children might
have exchanged; it was as if her utter
loneliness and tiredness clung to his
strength, as his own desperate need to
her sweetness.
Margaret Stanley said. confusedly,
81 didn't know felt like thet!"
IT didn't know would ever feel-like
that. again!" she answered, breath
: Jessly.
For a minute they were silent. their
I'm sorry!" Margaret whispered
then, her wide-open gaze like child's,
vague, blank, expectant.
'Yes," Stanley added, slowly and un-
emotionally. I'm sorry, too. Now
what?" he asked her, blankly.
"Now nothing" she answered, with
. little laugh.
She freed herself from his arms and
walked across the room. Stan followed
her slowly to the window. Margaret
turned and looked at him over her
shoulder, serious, celebrating look.
It was as If the two saw each other for
the first time, or as If together they had
come upon some terrible and significant
discovery.
Margaret, you would be wonderful
TO the man you loved" Stan SAID with
O little laugh, in q low tone.
I'm done with men!" she answered
briefly.
"I think I could teach you-better!"
The man said, in an odd voice.
She flashed him another glimpse OF
her dark blue eyes.
aWe-can't-go back of this" Stan
ley submitted, after silence.
How do you mean go back?
"As IL it hadn't beenp he elucidated.
Margaret turned toward him IN quick
surprise.
"I don't know" Stanley admitted
youthfully.
Margaret's gaze was at once quizzical,
amused, maternal.
There Is no possible combination OF
circumstances, you know" she reminded
him. under which we could mean any
thing to each otherP
Her composure touched his pride, and
he said:
"You mean Mrs. Theobald's plans and
mine?"
ginning to breathe little hN-d.
$50 that my kissing you" Stanley
said, deliberately taking her in his arms
again, tipping back her dark head. and
Kissing her firmly and squarely upon nsr
beautiful, rebellious mouth, only
means that you are extremely generous
70 me-nothing more!"
An instant later she was free, pant
ing, and standing 10 feet away from
him, her breast rising and falling
stormily, her two thin, exquisite, brown
hands locked on her chest. Stanley was
half laughing and half furious, his
hand to his singing cheek.
"I hate this high school stunt" Mar
garet said.
I'm sorry-I beg your pardon!
Please, please forgive me-"
There was a long silence. Then he
was terrified TO see Margaret put her
two hands over her face and drop her
head In them shamedly, like a crying