Evening star., 1932-11-19
A PATH TSPARAD|SE|
canips.Iy Wv DAWSON
DAWSON

| Il was ashamed TO return to this home
which you've chosen for me. WHAT right
have to dine on caviar?" He swung
around What right have 1 to sit 81
table festive with orehldsP"
But, my dear" she paled at his sx-
asperation, you're my husband. You
have everv right"
That doesn't give me the right My
furthest thought when ] married was
that would become a gigolo."
mo one ever accused you---
Some one will. You've forced lux
uries on me that make me ridiculous.
Now that I'm jobless, unless I live on
you, we must economic. The extrava-
gance of this apartment cOmplicates my
position horribly"
In way it does" she nodded.
Then in heavens name" he 5S1zA
out, why did you settle in sne moment
my back was turItd!"
She smiled conGiliatingly.
But isn't that selfish, darling?~ Her
soothing voice pursued him. Your
way at present would mean cheap lods-
| ings. We'd both hate them. Mean
while. unless We could sublet this apart
ment, 1t would stand empty.
| And then there's my side. You
married me when / was damaged goods.
If I'd shown false pride and refused TO
allow you Won't you understand
my motives? This is perhaps the only
chance I'll ever have to repay you"
The old doubt assailed him with re-
She looked anything but dominant.
Slim legs curled under her-she asked
a question.
Have ever failed you?"
Evasion would have been easier. He
hesitated.
With one Of those shameless reversals
of which pretty women are capable, she
uttered a tinkling, merry laugh which
broke the tension.
"Of course, l have. I do things on
the impulse. When you left this morn
ing, ! longed to restore your sense OF
security" She waved her hands. Y
slaved all day to prepare this. Stupid
of me-"
Resentment faded
Santa. dear I'd like TO; can't let
you off You've struck a gait that's
beyond me-"
She crossed the room and sank against
his knees.
Listen, Give, I know what's worry
ing you. Because Dicky sponged on me,
you're afraid TO borrow. You and Dieky
aren't on the same planet. And there's
something else; you're angry with the
. /
feel you have to blame somebody. I'm
handiest."
II can scarcely blame you for
Cleasbys failure" .
"'It's what you're doing" She caHessed
him. "Once you thought / showed
lack of faith when you assured me tnat
we'd never quarrel Married couples
can't help quarreling. They're. so in
separable-that sounds awful-they an
tagonize each other. Your antagonism
has fastened ON this apartment. You
don't really detest it. What you detest
is having inherited me"
"You may be right"
She pressed more heavily against him.
"Then don't punish me for coming 10
you secondhand"
He stroked he wavy hair. II he sur
rendered, his protest would 60 iof
nnrIght.
Neither of us wants TO be selfish.
Neither Of us wants to be hard on the
cthe-. As for Furnishing you tins
tNouglt rever entered my head, your
tiivo'c he's nothing to do with my op-
iactions to living at the rate OF ~
thourand a year when my earnings afs
temporarily wiped out.
"My divorce has everything to do with
it." Her eyes became bright with tears
"In YOUR mind. though, you're uncon-
sciolIs of 1t. this apartment symboliEes
Dicky There's no reason why II shouio
1t was my gift to you
But you agreed with me, Santa, wner
we were abroad"
"I still agree with you," she dumb
founded him.
Then, what's the argument?"
She sat back on her heels.
There isn't any. The moment you've
found a home to substitute for this one.
I'll give up mine But you maven
found a home ano you're not IN posi-
tion to find one. So why not make the
b7st of the one we've got. You see I'M
talking common sense-not poetry
The secret fear that preys upon SANTA
! = Lrou1t,f IN Ifghf fon1cY-oW,