Evening star., 1932-11-12
| A PATH I
by Coniinssty
CHAPTER 20.
A MARRIAGE CONTRAST.

A MARR1AGE CONTRAST.
~ HE was awakened by the sound o.
bath water. Peeping above the
sheets, she was dazzled by flooc
~ of Spring sunshine. Lapping the
window-sill stretched an abyss o.
blue. She hadn't felt SO light-heartec
since nursery days when, as now, she
had some one to take care of her.
Give tiptoed from the bath room
tousle-headed, his every movement elo-
quent of his anxiety not to disturb her
She slipped back on the pillows, feign-
ing to doZe for the luxury Of watching
his consideration for her.
When he was fully dressed, he tele-
phoned in a lowered voice to have his
breakfast sent up. She contrived q
yawn.
You may have mine sent up, too"
Awake? I hope didn't"
What was the idea?" she chaffed
him. Were you planning to sneak of
without kissing me good-morning?"
Everything I've heard or read about
girls Is sheer rubbish" said Give.
What have you heard and read?"
Breakfast arrived. He drew the table
to the bedside and waited on her, keep
ing track of the time by occasiona
glanceS at his wrist-watch.
Till he'd married he'd always heard
he confessed, that even the best o.
Santa's sex were double-crossers. AL
most every novel taught that love wa
madness and marriage a trap. Lies oi
that sortl
And what have you found, darling?'
Santa cuddled her cheek against hel
velvety white shoulder.
IF you could see yourself!" he spoke
earnestly. you're the most perfect
thing, Santa. have to tell you. Yot
may think I'm piling up lot of words
But here's what you are to me: You're
the road to heaven.
He laughed self-consciously under hel
tender scrutiny.
ct feel so humble, Santa-so dull anc
ordinary When I'm away from you,
want to run back because it doesn'
seem true that you could have giver
yourself to me. Why did you, Santa?'
"Idiotic of me, wasn't it?"
well, here's what I'm trying to say
darling I don't know what will maxi
you happy Whatever it is, I'll get i
for you. All my life I'll serve you. Bu
at first, till I get forward, you mus
have patience"
Alone in the still room. she accused
herself of 0lay-acting. Being married
was normal to her; to him it was all 81
amazing. How could a girl be married
| for the first time twice? That was TIT
only miracle that would satisfy him
| She watched, as an amused spectator
her attempts to play the timid bride.
If he were sensible instead OF 1gnor
| ing her experience, he ought to use 1t a.
chart to the dangers to avoid. II
| have to appear to agree that they wer'
| the exception to mated COUPLES cast {
shadow Of insincerity over all their re
| lations
She attired herself slowly. It was {
relief to be watched. On one side o
| his nature Give was small child, in
| trusively curious. Shed forgotten tina
any man could be so innocent. Sh
dreaded the day when she would disap
| point him.
"Cheer up, little road to heaven" shl
addressed herself in the mirror. 9TH
first man thought too lightly of you; thl
| second thinks too highly. One dragget
you down; the other drags you up
Gosh, you're hard to pleasei" Then
applying a final touch Of hpstick, "YoV
certainly look raviShing."
She spent the rest Of the day climb
ing stairs and mounting in elevators
! Toward late afternoon, in Central Parl
| WcSt, Sic 4Ou4lO VIC AcS1 AoA "AAASAA SAA
was searching.
| "I don't think need consult my hus
band" she told the agent. "ITl clos
| the deal now and pay you deposit"
The man examined her check.
"It'S good" she smiled, disarmingly.
"And how about references, madam?
I'm doing this as surprise for m
husband. If you looked up my refer
ences now
YOU'RE. newly married, madam"
She beamed on him.
"On our honeymoon. How did 20
guess?" Then, gathering courage, IN
husband works in New York. Our wed
ding presents and everything are stt
in Chicago You won't mind, will vol
If send for them and get the furnitur