The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-03-26


mcnt TO ELIZABETH BOWES, a
debutantc. For q long time FL
len hopes that Larry returns her
love hut when Elizabeth returns
from Europe he sends q note tell
ing Ellen he cannot see her for
some time.
Heart brOkcn, Ellen tries 10
forget. Gradually she comes to
think less of Larry and more of
steven Barclay. Then her brother
is dangerously injured in a traf-
fic accident. Baclay provides
money for the boys care. One
evening he tells Ellen he has sent
for DIR STENCIL, Vienncse
physician, to perform an opera
ton on Mixes legs.
Ellen tells Barclay she wants
to marry him.
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
Steven fell back a step in sur
prise. do you mean this? Are
you serious.
Elien's eyes answered him. She
paused to brush back from her
forehead a lock of curling hair. 81
would be safe If l married YOU"
she went on. II would have peace.
Just now / very niue want peace
and safety"
ave never heard that marriage
was particularly safe" he told her.
Ellen pondered. but L" she
had begun when he interrupted.
ELLEN, my dear, I'm afraid you
have conceived some mad idea of
marrying me TO show your graft
tude. / can't let you do that"
Its not that at ALL" Ellen put
in, her cheeks flushing.
But you don't love me-"
II don't know what love means"
she said YEARLY, not denying his
statement. IT know that l think
you are the kindest man in the
world. 1 know that trust and
admire you. Isn't that enough?"
"At your age I'm inclined to
think not.
Help me, help me, steven!" the
girl whispered.
80 there is was - someone
else?"
He was watching and saw the
her eyes. She did not answer the
question but put another instead.
would you marry me, Steven,
knowing that l once thought l
loved someone else very much even
though l knew that love wouldn't
work out, could ever work out?'
He laughed mirthiessly. I'm
afraid / would. I'd think, you see.
that / loved you so much that in
time you would come to love me,
too"
Still he made no move toward
her. There was no exultation in
his face. He only stood looking
down on her.
II don't understand" she began
ruefully, "Just the other day"
He turned to walk the scant
length of the kitchen, past the piled
lid sink with it's unwashed dishes.
past the stove and porcelain table
to stare through the open window
into the hot night. Wheeling sud-
denly he came back to her and
forced himself to say the words so
hard TO speak.
"Just the other day you did not
feel under obligations to me. Now
I'm afraid you do"
"There's no use pretending I'm
not grateful to you," Ellen ad-
mitted. mo use pretending |
wouldn't like to do everything l
can to make you as happy as you've
made me. But that isn't a fault,
Is ~"
The light from the single I'M
shaded bulb aureoled her tawny
hair and glided her bare arms, re-
vealed by the thin blue frock. She
stood there so fresh and confident,
so young, and desira BILE, that Bar
CLAW felt his resolution weaken.
''But how about--how about the
other MANI" he asked, clearing his
throat.
II hope you'n understand, Steven,
when I tell you that he brought me
nothing but misery and grief and
lieartache. / thought I'd go mad
with restlessness and pain when ]
knew him. It. was that kind of
love, Steven. The love it's best to
forget.
she paused, then added, "But
that's all done now. l can even
say I'm glad it's done.
Ellen believed the words as she
spoke them. Steven believed her
because he wanted to but there
was no real confidence In his heart
AS Ellen raised her fresh young
lips to his first kiss she deter
mined that she should be happy. II
was not the ecstatic kiss she had
dreamed of but she felt at peace
She thought it was peace that she
wanted.
Hand in hand like children they
went into the living room to an
nounce their engagement.
Myra and Bert were pleased, not
surprised. Myra kissed them both
in q quaint and dignifed way. Bert
shyiy shook hands with the hand
some, graying man who was to be
his brpther-in- law. Afterwards they
washed the dishes. all of them. and
were very gay. Myra and Ber'
blushed as brightly as Steven. Bu'
she did not mind the teasing.
Then the girls put on hats to &c
to the hospital. Alone together fol
moment, Myra gave Ellen ar
ecstatic hug ana whispered the
wish that she would always bt
happy.
The four of them went down the
stairs. Mrs Clancy was at hei
usual post and waved a greeting
On sudden impulse Ellen stopped
to announce the news and to In
troduce Steven as her tiance. She
knew from Stevens boyish laugh
that he was pleased. !
''When's it to be-" demanded
Mrs Clancy.
Ellen hesitated. There had beei
no talk of dates.
Probably not for some time,
steven answered for her. I'm com
PEELED to sail for Europe Saturda!
and the wedding will take place
after my return"
Mrs Ciancys smiling. significan
eyes followed them until they were
lost to sight by the stairway turn
Myra and Bert were already out
side. It was as they were goint
down the last flight of stairs tina
Ellen spoke.
ssWouid you like to make 1t soon
A.. steven 2" she asked. "SooI
enough so that II Mikes wei
enough can go to Europe Will
i OUT"