The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-05
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JUDITH u1ANlt drtistB HuOuci, loves ALAN STEYNE, painter who Is also loved by CHUMMY MORLEY, Judith's roommate and best friend. Chufniny had loved Steyne years ago, and had suffered q loss of memory when he went away; so, although Steyne loves Judith, Judith insists that 1t ia duty to marry Chumny, whose memory Is restored when she sees him again. Steync and Chummy, therefore, are engaged. Judith Is studying dancing, and rich BRUCE GIDEON, flnancicr, plans to star her in Q musical show, ale though Steyne warns her that GideOn's intentions arc not hon. orable. Judifh's dancing teacher, GUARVENIUS, is killed fin a mo. tor accident. Steyne comes to the girls apartment, finds Judith alone, and holds her in his arms and kisses. her. Chummy sees them, but does not let them know shc has seen. NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 CHAPTER xxvII
 Two mornings later Steyne rec ceived a little note from Clarissa, asking him to come to see her at her home. She did not name any time, and Steyne waited until noon, thinking she might want him to take her out to lunch.
 He found her dressed for the street, her fair hair escaping pie turesquely from under a soft black hat. Her high-bred, sensitive face was very pale, but her eyes lit up her features with the amazing vi- tality that she had acquired since her recovery.
 "Alan," she began at once, "I asked you here because l want to talk to you alone. I'm afraid l shall sound very silly and as if l didn't know my own mind, but I've well, I've come to the conclusion that I don't want to be married"
 The young man caught at the suggestion as Q drowning man catches at straw.
 You mean you want to post pone 1t again, Clarissa? I suppose it's on account of Judy. You're not quite happy about her, are your" NO, Alan," she answered slowly. T don't mean that. I mean that 1 don't want to be married at all."
 You don't-want-" He broke off in sheer amazement.
 But, Clarissa, is there any req son?" he asked.
 Not any reason that sounds good enough,' the girl said, fore ing herself to smile. "The fact is, Alan, I'm awfully afraid I'm still Q little queer at times. It's been un- real to me for a long time, the thought that was going to be your wife,"
 That was true enough. It had seemed too good, to wonderful, too blessed, even to imagine. T ought to have told you this before." she added.
 "Clarissa, I don't understand. Ia 1t anything lacking in me? Have done anything to hurt youT'
 She smiled again, with all that wonderful fidelity of devotion In
 "No, Alan, no. am as fond oi you as ever-in way. You have been everything that is dear and good-simply everything; and should hate to think that wal hurting you"
 "But, of course, you are hurting mel" he interrupted.
 The words were purely mechan- ical. He was playing a part, just as she was; only he did not know that she knew the truth.
 "Please, Alan, don't be angry with me-" she went on gently. "I'm s.xx (xsI1 al tayr Axaf really want to settle down to worh more than I want everything else in the world.'
 You care for your career more than you do for me?"
 Her lips trembled a little. Hs believed that she had changed hei mind. He was glad, oh. but sht knew how glad he was! He loved Judy. He must have learned tt love Judy while she was out O! her senses; and when she recov' cred. he felt himself in honol bound to her.
 It was such a simple story. The, were both loyal to her - he and Judy. They would have remained loyal to the end.
 She read steyne aright. Ht thought she was speaking tht simple truth. He was too mucf overjoyed to question what sh' said.
 He was free---that was his para mount thought. He was not to b' asked to enter into an unnatura union that would have destroyed his soul. He would not have ts perjure himself every day to . wo' man who loved him.
 s'I suppose do put my cafeol first" Ciarissa said.
 Then Alan 6teyno made q vers masculine remark.
 "Y0u're making me look vera foolish, Ciariasai"
 At that sho laughed. She won