Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1932-11-18

and magni6ed. His coat seemed
very warm. He hooked his stick
over his arm and stepped nearer
the light. A huge black car had
come to rest behind him, silently,
a great car with curtains drawn.
1t was behind him with dimmed
headlights, like great eyes, as if a
monster eavesdropper was trying
to read the note also.
John glanced up at the lighted
windows. He seemed to hear the
notes Of the piano. Josephine was
evidently singing, playing. She
was no doubt ready, waiting for
him. The footmag passed him.
John caught a watt of scent; a
man with a scent, possibly parfum.
The real door opened. Tashi and
the footman brought out and were
strapping a patent leather trunk on
the rear carrier. 1t was all real
enough. John looked. There was
plenty of room for another trunk.
The ear door changed behind the
men. He thought he saw Jose
phide part the heavy library cur
tains and look out. He must be
quick. Again he read the note, it
was very concise; it was insistent.
The whole overwhelming pro-
blem swan before his eyes. Jose
phine, and foreign lands, palace
hotels, long hours in exotic bed
looms, caresses, kisses, endearments
her rich hair tumbling over white
pillows in a cataract of gold. Soft
whispering allurements. Stupid
dinners, tiresome people, alien
towns, queer undressing time
destroying play; spats, boredom.
There was the beginning of the
road; she was ready to take him
from his city, to carry him away,
to make him forget.
Perhaps she had seen him. The
curtains were drawn to. Even then
she might be coming down, run
ming eagerly toward him. The
great car frightened him. 1t would
carry them far, far away from the
city, forever.
The lines of the short letter
burned in his hand. He had no
need % again persue them.
DEAR JOHN,
Can you join me at nine o.
clock to night, at my Wall Street
office? Am arranging hundred mil
lion dollar foundation. We must
stop planning and begin to rebuild
the tencments. Offer you full
charge of construction as Director
and Chief Engineer. The city
needs you.
ALMoN STRAUSS.
The house door opened; it was
only Tashi, but John Breen with
out looking. turned hastily and
walked east toward Madison Ave
nue., across Park Avenue, toward
Third. Halfway down the block
his attention was attracted to a
lighted window of a basement resi-
dent and within was a scene that
paused his steps. A mother, seated
with a child on her lap, both look
ing up in smiling assurance into
the face of the father bending over
them. John Breen stood trans
liked. Slowly he turned; slowly
he started to retrace his steps.
Suddenly the full import of the
decision he had vet failed to make
came upon him. As his fine mind
grasped the facts his step quicken
ed. my work. or my Jose
phine which," he mutsered
aloud as if seeking to know hat all
the years were summed up in those
few words.
First love wins" said John
Breen, a great light of happiness
coming to his face.
He pressed the bell. Josephine
herself, stood in the door before
him. In her eyes was that look
which only one nan ever sees .
g. deep into the soul.
my love. my first, my only
love-" said Josephine as John Breen
took her in his arms.
THE END