The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1932-07-28


still was she. With sigh, her gaze
dropped to the gloomy cavern of the
woods, and she peered, expectant,
down the path which stretched way
into the blackness where the pine
trunks Struggled closely together for
companionship.
Tins late!" she said aloud. Hes
been late a lot lately" A shadow
seemed to fall on her heart; a sud-
den weight as she thought thai per-
haps he was already growing tired of
these nightly trysts.
HE hates mother; he won't come to
the house, and his mother hates me.
It's all so impossible and absurd. Tim
and are both the victims of our par
ents"
Her thoughts roved over the SEEM
ing impasse. But her common sense
revealed the solution if only Tim
would see it.
''His father and mother have each
other. He's not really needed at
home not the way l am"
She sighed. Il guess it's just because
I've given him too much!" bitterly.
"Men are that way when women are
fools like me-"
ooh, why can't he see things right"
she said aloud. "And why does he
never consider me and my wishes?"
Her thoughts swept back to their
last discussion of the problem. Their
words were recorded on her memory.
81 can't marry you and your mother,
too! Your first duty should be to
yourself and to me. You owe every
thing to me to the man you
say you love. We should come first
our happiness together"
''But you don't understand, Tim!
Mothers sick and all alone but for
ne. She's helpless with that arthritis.
have to help her. She can't even
dress herself alone. 1t would be in
human to leave her. Oh if only you
would -
Lets not talk about it any more"
In his careless way he shunted the
subject and pulled her into demand
ing arms.
''I'll never come there to live with
her, Carrie" as she still hung back.
$50 We'll have to make the best of
things till you get ready to come to
me Love me-" changing the
subject abruptly. "Going to be nice
to meg
She capitulated The evening end
ed as the many others had.
After another interval of waiting
and of thinking, she saw a spark Of
light coming down the dark path,
tiny glow. Footsteps approaching. The
cigarette was tossed carelessly aside.
"Tim," she cried, throwing herself
into his arms. Il thought you were
never coming. I'm afraid in these
dark woods!''
He laughed carelessly, drawing her
up to him with caressing arm.
Sorry, Carrie. You see, we were
playing pool down at Toni's and lost
track of time" His careless words
struck her like a blow in the face.
'Lost track of time" she mentally re-
peated. "How little he cares about
seeing me"
Her silence seemed to veX him. He
pulled her down beside him on the
pine needles, and looked at her re-
proachfully.
'Here l come a mile to see you and
all you do is sulk." Then he ex-
pressed penitence again, and the ten
sion was eased. She yielded herself
to his love making with sweet ardor.
Il love you, Tim" she whispered,
her hand against his smooth cheek.
"Oh, love you sol If anything were
to part us, should die. l want to be
married, Tim, and have things right.
/ want to be your wife, and maybe,
have children :"
:: His kisses were hard and demand
ing on her lips. He drew her closer
to him, and caressed her more passion
ately.
"Well, then if you love me, prove 1t
You know I'm ready when you say
the word. I'm not stuck on this bach
elor love making myself I'm ready
when you are"
"But mother :"
"There you are!" savagely. "Back at
the same old stand. She's always in
your thoughts. I'm sick and tired of
hearing mother, mother all the
time"
He pulled her to her feet.
"fll never marry woman who
doesn't put me first" he said. "And
that's my last word. I'll never go there
TO live if you ask me hundred years
What're you going to do about it,"
She stood facing him suddenly an
CRY.
you're cruel" she sobbed. you're
hard ard ruthless and unfeeling. You
know 1 can't leave that poor woman
alone and helpless. You're selfish and
your love is nothing but passion!'
Gall right" quietly. you've had
your say. Now I'm going. And you
need never come her again to meet
me. I'm done"
Flinging aside her suddenly desper-
ate hands; ignoring her broken II
didn't mean it !" he strobe off into the
woods which opened and received him.
"Oh! Oh, Tim"
Like a haunted wild creature of the
woods the woman fed across the field