Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1931-11-13

Analysing it. It used to seem
to her that NO one had ever been har-
assed and narrowed as much as she In
her peculiar circumstance.
The peculiar circumstance was that
there was particular person. who
ever since Marion Joyce could remem-
Der, had been In her way. Not that
there had been ever the slightest de-
gree Of conflict between Marion Joyce
and this unconscious party to her dis
content. They had grown up In the
same town together, they had attended
the same schools and occasionally had
met socially. But from her earliest
memories Of Alice Laidlaw, there had
been something about this attractive.
vigorous personality. that had set to
gnawing within Marion, dull pangs of
jealousies and rcsentments.
1t Is true that in a way Alice Laid
law had always been leader, yet
Marion, In her way, had by no means
been an inconspicuous or incompetent
student or member Of the social life
of her community. While their paths
had crossed only casually. each of
these girls. Marion Joyce and Alice
Laidlaw, had been endowed with the
gifts of personality and charm.
OF the two, Alice Laidlaw had more
Of the quality Of aggressIveness which
makes for general popularity. She
was president Of schOOl-and-sOcial or
CARNATIONS, where under the same cir
cumstances Marion would only have
been an active and respective member.
Alice Laldlaw had an executive Gu.
paclty for running things. Even when
she was sixteen and I'm high school,
she had been a potential club woman.
She was then already q frequent fea-
ture In the newspapers, president of a
literary society. member Of debating
team. leader Of conspicuous student
rebellion against faculty restrictions.
That was probably where the shoe
pinched Marion. Although she would
never admit 1t, even to herself, 1t must
have been. that Incorporated In the
capable and intelligent figure Of her
colleague Alice Laldlaw. Marion be-
held qualities that she herself yearneq
to possess. That was why, again with.
out even admitting 1t to herself. Alice
Laldlaw was In MariOn's way. Every
conquest Of the Laldlaw girl was ana
thema to Marion. Without even her
nearest and dearest friends suspect
ing il. Alice's election to this and
that presidency. her graduation with
honors. her subsequent prominence as
a club woman, political woman, social
worker, world traveller, were actually
clements in making Marion Joyce's
life, even after she was married to the
man of her choice. Fred Markus, one
Of ranking discomfort.
Curious how seldom the paths of
these two women crossed, and yet
come to think of II. by no means In
applicable. 1t was doubtless due to
the fact that Marion could not bear to
look upon the Attachments and achieve
ments of this girl who had always
walked 10 paths that Marion yearned
to tread.
10 pick up the evening paper and
lind Alice Laidlaw's photograph con
fronting her. was sufficient to spoil her
dinner and make her qneruiOus with
Fred. And with logged kind OF
perye. 'sity, 1t seemed to Marion that
tie successes Of Alice Laidlaw took
pains to thrust themselves under her
very nose. A chance newspaper
dropped In public place would fall
In u pc ttiOn to reveal photograph
If Alice IAidaw to Marion. With
frequency that seemed to Marion al.
most psychic. scraps Of conversation
which she overheard In theaters or In
public conveyances. were as often as
not. about Alice Laidiaw. her brilli
aney. her success. her prominence.
Seldom. II ever. was 1t Marion's good
fortune 10 hear a slurrlng word or
behold a slurring line spoken Of Alice,
and then. even whep that happened.
1t only seemed to enhance her position
among the great.
Unlmportant people had no eDemies.
Fred Marcus, who loved his wife
had no even the slightest lnkllRg OF
this eanker at her soul. II there were
in her makeup certain human deliB
queneies, certain shortcomings. II
seemed to Fred that she had fewer
Of them than the run-Of-the mill OF
wives, and It never occurred to him
that even these few dellnquencies IN
the woman lie loved. such as her oc
casonal Irrlta1'jiltles. were due to the
subterraneAD 1Aet that woman
named Alice La1diaw WAS In her way.
TO Fred Marcus. Alice Laldlaw was
jnst local wOisea0 Of prominence.
lie had met her fees times and had
even discussed her upon occasion with
his vile. adniiing her accomplish
ment without knowing that he was
turning knife In the heart Of
Marion.
There was to come iuli IN this
chronic EOul-hurt OF alarlOn's. The
pa pcrs came out ore day bhrIng the
9Det that alice Lu.hlaw was to take up
assi dencr abroad for period Of five
gsprs where she was to study certain
siOdISl ng. al conditions IN the various
aaJtta!s Of Europe. There wis great
dulliitn' 10 over t',t enterprise. fun.
ATOMS, 49, 1ri I'Hmrnta. fh"c ~, werc