Nogales international., 1932-07-09
Sixth gnstalment

At twenty-five the only thing Diana really
desired was another won1ans husband. e
strain of London's gay life, she is taken By
her aunt Mrs. Giadwyn, TO famous special
lists Office The physician orders her TO ths
country for a long rest. She rebels, but the
doctor is handsome and sympathetic: she
learns that he is not the great man himself
but an assistant, DR.. Rathbone. "God made
the country and man made the town." ne
tells her, and she agrees to go to rura
retreat
Before she leaves she goes to Dennis
Waterman's fiat, where they are surprised
by Linda, Dennis's wife, who takes the stu
alton quite calmly. 81 suppose she wants yot
to marry herr" she asks Dennis.
At the night club where she goes wit
Dennis Diana collapses. She regains con
sciousness in little country cottage, with
nurse, Miss Starting, bending over her. DR.
Rathbone's home was close by, Miss Starlin,
told her.
After three weeks Dennis Waterman calls
He tells her he will have to go away, and hi:
manner, as he leaves her, suggests that hi
love is waning. But Dennis has not beer
gone many days before Diana finds herself
asking Miss Startling all sorts of question:
about DR.. Rathbone.
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY.
''That depends what you mean by
foolishly. His wife, won't divorce him.
He only wishes she would, but she
won't, and So" She stopped sud
denly, feeling rather foolish
And so-what?" Rathbone asked.
"And so," Diana rushed on reckless
1y, "as soon as he comes home and I'm
well enough, I'm going away with
him"
Il see, Well, if he's a decent fel-
low"
She gave a little strangled cry.
81 thought you would lecture me. I
thought you would try to prevent me
from going"
The ghost of smile lit his eyes.
Il prevent you? Why should l? Do
you think I hatter myself that could
prevent you from doing anything you
wish-once you are well?"
She looked a little sul1en.
mo, but I thought you might try"
she said ingenuously.
He went back to his old position of
leaning on the bed rail, his hands
loosely clasped together before him.
mo lecturing in the world has ever
yet stopped a woman who is in love
from doing what may seem foolish to
other people" he said quietly
"You think it aOonld be foolish?" she
insisted.
~To go away and Ilve with man
who is already married and who can
not get his freedom?" he queried.
%'Well, it all depends. In your place I
should be afraid that if he had already
wearied of one woman it would not be
difficult for him to weary of another"
''He never loved his wife"
THAT is what he tells you. That is
what all men tell all women in the
circumstances you describe"
you seem to know great deal
about it."
Rathbone stood up. He looked infin-
itely weary all at once.
"Then you must be prepared for him
TO grow tired of what, after all, can
never be anything more than an ordi-
nary liaison. I've seen so many of them,
and they all end badly 1t seems pity
you are too good to be wasted on
that sort of thing as you call it. l
wonder you don't think so too"
She said sullenly, but with flushing
cheeks, "Only the other day you told
me you doubted if l was worth trying
TO keep alive"
'<Did l? Perhaps I've changed my
mind Is there anything else you want
to say to me before l go?"
you're not going already"
"I think I'd better-before ! make
you too angry"
"I'm not angry" she said. Il like
you, though nobody has ever been So
so brutal to me as you have"
''Isnt frank a truen word?"
"Perhaps-but sometimes frankness
can be brutal"
She was sitting up in bed, her chin
resting on her hunched-up knees, her
big eyes fixed on his face. "But I like
you" she said again seriously. When
ever you come into the room it's like a
breath of country air"
He laughed, though he looked little
embarrassed, and took his leave.
CHAPTER TX
Diana grew we'll with much greater
rapidity than either Rathbore or the
Creature had expected.
In weeks time she was getting up
after her breakfast, dressing herself,
and spending long hours in the tiny
garden of the little house.
Mrs. Gladwyn sent some stocks Of
books and enough illustrated papers to
keep the entire village occupied a
month.
She also sent large boxes of choco-
Iates and expensive fruit which Diana
gave 20 the village children who came
to stare at her shyly through the gate,
There was no back garden to the
cottage, only the long straight plot in
front, with high clipped hedge that
shut it out from the narrow lane.
One day Miss Startling said. 81 don't
think it is altogether MIC of you to
encourage that boy so much. He al
ready has ideas far above his station"
"What boy?" Diana asked, though
she knew perfectly we'll to whom the
Creature referred.
"The boy from the Meadow Farm" 4"
Miss Startling explained. "Jonas, don't