The Bismarck tribune., 1933-11-24
LOVE-
By HAZEL LIVINGSTON
copXale17 BY kxAso EsA7UREs sy7xo1cAzv, Ea1c.

say something, you're such 4 funny
little thing-aren't you?"
"Aren't +" She stared at him
with wide, uncomprehending eyes.
Because I wouldn't have come
without them? Is that funny! I
don't think it is. ! don't UNDER
stand you, Curtis-why, this is an
insane thing to do! We can't stay
here, that's all. Well have to 70
right away. I don't know what you
were thinking Of"
1--WE aren't going to leave. We're
going to stay-that's fat"
"But we can't-why, it's impos-
sible. I'm going back. You can do
as you like!" She ran into the
kitchen and snatched her hat and
coat from the table.
He followed, slipped his arms
around her. Don't be angry,
Johnny! Drop that coat-listen to
me, Joan!" She heard the murmur
Of his words, close to her ear.
Heard them stupidly at first, then
with . dawning realization Of what
he meant, what he was saying, why
he had brought her hear. But surely
Curtis-Curtis whom she was ro-
ing to marry in . few short weeks
he couldn't mean it. she was
light-heade It was some ghastly
kind Of joke
With Z convulsive movement she
wrenched herself from his arms.
turned 20 that she could look up
into his face.
And then she knew. All the
months Of sweetness and consider
ation, all the fuss and pomp Of their
formal engagement, everything
crumpled and gone-into this.
Her lips twitched, she couldn't
find any words to say, the floor
seemed to Be sinking under her feet,
She hid her face on his arm, to hide
its twisting naked shame. So this
was what she meant to Curtis j.
everything-gone-nothing left.
Curiously she felt no anger. Just
pain. Throbbing, agonizing. nm
bearable pain. Waves Of it beat
ing over her, crushing her. Thia
was the end. tho end Of all her hope
and pride.
She never knew how long she
stood in the dim, smoky kitchen Of
the cabin, clinging to him TO keen
from falling. Clinging to him q
she would to q post, or . chair or I
tree. After . long time the roar.
ing in her ears lessened, she began
to hear his voice again his muir.
INJURED endearments, to be conscious
Of his caresses, his slow, impas-
stoned kisses. With . little shud.
dering cry Of disgust she pushed
him from her. "Don't touch me
don't ever touch nle-again-"
Even when he lunged toward her
his face distorted with anger and
outraged pride, she wasn't afraid
"Dopbg" she said sharply. "Don'1
toxek me, Curtisl"
$50 that's Il. Never loved me
sh! Just ont for : &c meal tieks'
I--that was It Circus wedding
|place In tho world. !. And wher
that isn't in sight It's Don't toucl
me, Curtisl-0h, what : fool I'y1
been. -. WslLtkGt's over. In
through With your cute, coy ways
They wont Get you anything. b
you understandf You're here nov
,I-you're going to stay. Put dow1
that coat-put Il dosvsew
Thsy faced each other. hatred Il
their eyes. Her hand tiehtened OF
the BIG, plaid cost "Going % keel
me here against my willis that it'
Go on-tell me-we may @ vel
get 4 straight"
q didn't say that" He licke,
his lips. THAT IL, ! hope Il won
, b necessary. You're hardly foo
enough 20 try to walk home from
the party when it, : matter Of ,
hundred miles"
Joan began to laugh then, brok
enly. $50 that's the idea" He
} words ended II : ,shriak of high
sIpitchsd hystsrical Laughter Ia