The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-09-19
CHAPTER FORTY.ONE

The music started. Talking de-
sisted. For music is played in Paris
to be listened to, not to cover con-
versation.
Jack entered. His eyes swept the
cafe and dining room-passed over
her as if he did not see her. She
had not told him about her cable.
Had merely said when he phoned,
that she was having dinner with
a friend. True. But after last night
she should have said schae friend.
Also where.
What q shock it must have been
to see her like that, unexpectedly.
She might have known he'd come
here for dinner. The Regence had
been one Of their favorite rendez-
vous when bent on escaping the
crowd beyond the Seine. For Mont
parnasse does not dine near the Rue
de Rivoli, the Avenue de l'Opera
and Rue de Ia Paix.
How many times they had
laughed together. at the little
musician, the while they watched
the faces Of the listeners. Nowhere
else in the world could one see
faces 50 characteristic Of national
temperament. English faces, still,
serious, vastly content. Russian
faces, little fierce, brooding, en-
raptured. American faces, mobile,
expressing pleasure tempered by
impotence over the unaccustomed
imposition of silence. French faces,
solemn, woebegone, some sullen,
some animated -.
The music ceased. A loud
clapping Of hands. -. The little
violinist bowling. >. An immediate
buzz Of conversation. -.
"Pat DEAR" Jimmie was saying,
II know you can't understand it,
and I'm not going to tell you that
men can't live as clean lives %
many women do; but I want you to
know that for eight years I was
absolutely faithful to Pam. I loved
her to tho exclusion Of all other
women. But the fire burned de-
creasingly after the first five years.
I don't know whether it was my
fault or hers Probably both. Most
~ mine, I'm sure. ! began to take
her for granted. Pam is . woman
Of tremendous romanticism. Love
for her must always be an adven-
ture. She couldn't bring her nature
into agreement with the settled
content / had arrived at. She re-
sented my attitude, perhaps, and
began to. draw away from me. /
resented her attitude and let her
draw away. We had gotten rather
far apart when you came. I still
loved her; but something had gone
- suppose, loyalty.
"The night before your father
returned from Louisiana she asked
mo to 60 away until he came. She
didn't rag me; but rs she left me
she closed tho door between our
rooms. That door. has never been
opened since. We've been friends.
No more"
He paused. 'well. got tired
and abominably lonely. Perhaps I
got to plying myself . little. Most
Of us do 1t one time or another.
And self pity ID . terrible liar. Il
justihes . man to himself in his
sins. Pam had left me. You were
gone. Things were ct . standstill.
! was neither married. nor free. /. .
''Then I met Myra. That's al. I'm
not justifying myself. I'm just tell
ing you exactly how It came
about"
ibid you tell Aunt Pam what
you've told met"
"No. What was the use? Shed
taken year in which to think It
Ill out and decide what she wanted
to do"
'Shs really left you over me,
Jimmie" said Patricia in > stricken
voice. The thought, which had but
dimly touched her heretofore, WAS
al at once unbearable.
mo, / don't think 50. see :
rood deal now that ! didn't see be-
fore. Maybe I've thought about II
more. She il 80 terribly proud.
Her pride closed the door that
night, and never would let her
open II. should have opened Il.