Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1932-11-18
FIRST LOVES
FINAL INSTALLMENT
By Felix Diesenberg

l11N1AA LINZ AALItlL1
John had refreshed himself in
the dressing room. He looked in
the mirror appraisingly. The deep
tan of the open was being leeched
out by the city of shadows. He
brushed back his stiff hair. He
smiled SO like Gilbert Van Horn.
He hardly cared. What did Jose
phine want?
After dinner they sat in the
familiar library. II leased the
house, you know, after Gilbert's
death. They changed almost ev-
erything, everything but this. l
love the ROOM" A fire was crack
ling in the open hearth, a wide
deep chair, Van Horns chair, was
near the glow of flames. John,
standing till Josephine curled on
the lounge, sat down. Tashi
brought a tray and Josephine lit
a cigarette. Then she jumped up.
John had a cigar and she lit a
match, cupped the flame in her
hands and held it for him, bending
close to him. Tashi had gone.
Josephine drew her feet up or
the lounge, and propped by cush-
ions, blew smoke wreaths toward
the fire. Tashi returned with a
tray. Both took Curaco.
''John, you must tell me about
your adventures, in South Ameri-
ca
For a long while they talked,
aimlessly. The noises Of the city
were dim. Memories grew about
the flames. John glanced up at
the painting of Gilbert Van Horn,
lifelike under the light.
Then they sat in silence. Sud-
denly Josephine reached in a fold
of her bodice and drew forth a
package, handing it to John.
These belong to you, John-I've
kept them, you see." The letters
were in his hand, the outpourings
of his fresh enthusiasm, the one
in which he told her of the aque-
duct, and Of his plans. She had
kept them through it all. She
stood before him, against the fire.
light, a presence outlined, her
shimmering dress alame. An I'M
easy fear held his breath. "John,"
and then she was on her knees, her
head buried in his lap, sobbing.
Her soft breasts pressed against
his knees, her hair glowed under
him in the light, II have always
loved you-always!" She looked
up, tears glistened like stars; oh,
she was beautiful! .
His cigar had fallen, he lifted
her. Her face so close to his. The
years sped away. Over the man
tlepiece, Gilbert Van Horn looked
down on them while Josephine
poured out her heart. John, cares
sing her, his hungry soul crying
for love, held her close. Life, what
is it? What are the things hat
count? Why are we here? In the
subconscious- half-light of the
mind, under the patter of love, he
seemed to know. Josephine, in few
erish impulse, poured forth her
strong affection. She had Tilted
him, and now, at last, she had re-
Tented.
II am tired of this place. We
will leave, John, leave it all. We
will travel, we will live in sunshine
The world has much to offer u.s."
Josephine and John sat on the vida
lounge, he held her, her head on
his shoulders her hands clasping
his. 1t had been a lony, long road,
but at last, at last
"You know I've sold the house,
they are going to build an annex
to the hotel next door. Everyth-
ing is changing, the people are
changing. The best New Workers
now live abroad most of the time.
Oh, John, how glad l am that you
found me-"
John was on fire, he kissed her
brutality, carelessly. He held her
close and looked into her eyes.
why can't we get married, now.
tonight?"
"No, John, dear. No! no! We
will leave tomorrow-night. l have
SO mary things to settle. The
movers and storage people will be
in early tomorrow. l want to get
some of my things in order. Go
back to the club, like a good boy,
tonight. Get your things packed.
I will put my things in the small
car trunk. Well take the coach,
A TONIC Laxative