Evening star., 1932-10-30

women with weary faces, who have known every
abuse Sometimes the man is sent to Jail for
a few months and then usually his wife comes
tearfully to ask his release Now most SEN
tmentalists call this love, but a matter Of
fact it is habit. Your habit is Carter Colby;
a selfish weakling who will 60 chasing new
game as soon as you are caught. You won't
60 to court; but your smile will grow forced
and you will never have a woman in your house
whom you can trust alone with him. He will,
with his distinguished, If questionable, art, per-
suade them that he is misunderstood and hun
CRY merely for understanding and the firm clasp
of friends hand. What are you going to do?"
She said fatty wearily, II don't know
Then Ezra slipped Carter's ring from her fin
ger and threw it violently into the dark, and
below. somewhere in the thicker gray it found
water.
She stood, frozen with horror; he spoke
gently.
Tell him." he said. what did to your ring,
and tell him 1 was holding your hand viii
you do that?"
Il shall have TO-" she answered stonily
And then, if you want to marry him after
the row he'll kick up, do it, and I'll 60 again
to South America. But this time 1 shan't
forget. I'm older and this time love- But
If you see him as 1 see him, after the smoke
clears away, telephone me-"
IN see him tomorrow" size said q" but I
won't telephone you"
Il shall SAIL probably late Monday if YOU
don't telephone me-" he said gently
That was Saturday night. Late Sunday after
noon brought Carter. They went to the park,
and here they walked until they found remote
bench where they settled
Then Amy held out her left hand from which
Carriers ring was missing. He had told her to
do what she would with it if she wouldn't wear
it, and EzraS Observation-Disclosures test
came back to tempt her and she fell
You gave-my ring to the chambermaid?"
asked Carter incredulously. His thick veneer
cracked and his spirit peeped through; she
learned what the ring had cost eleven years
before and what it would be worth now She
laughed suddenly to halt his bitter and ac-
cusing voice She told him then the true tale
and she rose 1t was Overt She was cured!
The seed had been planted and the soil was
fertile.
A T 10 O'Clock Monday morning Ezra answered
i his telephone, with such haste that he fell
over two chairs and an end table, and when
he heard her voice he closed his eyes for long
second. and then drew deep breath He
wanted to speak steadily and not to be long
cared jackass.
Her voice was timid. 1t said merely, Ezra
are you there?" He said he would always be
there if she called him, and that made her
draw deep breath and close her eyes, 1t
was true because Ezra said it.
Il want to see you she said
He said, Tell your boss that you have bad
headache and that he must cry for rs private
secretary this afternoon Cand" Ezra added to
himself, for the span Of his life') and then, :"
be went on aloud, get ready for me because
I'm coming to get you. have great plan"
She agreed. shaking
AT IL O'Clock she stepped from the door
CT business building that usually knew workers
only in weary. yet hurryng masses Ezra was
waiting by the curb in his car He stepped
from it to open the door. Neither Of them
spoke
After he had closed the door and they had
started he said, We'll go to the city hall first
and get the license"
Very fat footed, she decided OF course, not
anything like her dreams, but satisfyingly solid.
L have the rings" he said next Il picked
them up on the way to you and from his
pocket he drew a small blue box to lay on her
knees.
That's the preface" he said, "and I think
it'll fit You know I got you to slip on that
amethyst ring said was having set for Aunt
Cordelia'
They went to a small church. The rector q.
wife and the rectory housemaid came into the
dark interior that was punctured by sunlight
sitting through stained glass, to witness another
wedding.
Ezra was quite as usual.
Its going to be like this" thought ANY,
sensible, satisfying and without romance"
Then Ezra looked at her, rather long, and
he couldn't grin. Her heart turned over and
she knew it wasn't going to be like that-all
the time And the smile she flashed him was
one no woman could ever give to Carter Colby
tCopyrieht. 1922
D1t,IUyrh'c ,NIeeb R,nEor