Nogales international., 1933-07-15

Ainsworth lifted his head. put
his hand under her chin and stared
down into her face. Joyce's whirl OF
happiness filled her so full of emotion
that she could not hold it all and a little
of it spilled over in tears. Her heart
beat in rapid accord with the violent
beats which she could plainly feel
humping in Robert Ainsworth's breast.
He bent down then and kissed her eyes
and her lips. At first, just lightly, al
most in playful caress; but again and
again, and each time little harder, a
little more intenscly-urtil finally, his
mouth crushed down on hers and it was
as if she were lifted out of herself and
had lost her identity
After few moments he released her
abruptly. Joyce, SO weak, she had to
lean against the bookshelves to keep
herself from falling, watched Aims
worth walk to the door and stand there
with his back to her. She could not
speak. It seemed to her that they stood
thus for an eternity.
Finally he turned around and smiled
at her again. well. there it is. And
what happens next? Does the Beantijn!
Belinda depart foyezer in PROUD 7cvath
and leave the poor insulting worm to
IiVe on gCith only the memory of kiS
one daring deed ar ;" Leaving his
sentence unfinished, he took a cigarette
and lighted it. Joyce watching, saw his
hand shake as he held the match tc
the tip.
Why did he not come back to hel
and take her in his arms again? Why
did he not tell her he loved her? She
had not repulsed him.
"Dickie," went on Ainsworth, sitting
down on the step and picking tp t.le
dog who was nudging at him for atten-
tion, it should be possible, one would
think, for a sweet, beaUti; al g: tc
visit man, even i'll Z ..Us---..-S / lac, like
this without being +. er man
handled" He smoked furiously. Joyce
feeling her knees trembling, sat down
on the arm of one Of the big redwood
chairs and listened silently.
"But, you see, Dickie, damn it, I've
been living here all alone for months
and months, and man gets to foollng
himself with his smart delusion that
he's self-sufficient, that the lid is on
good and tight-until, suddenly, along
comes a girl, not just an ordinary gisl
you know, D;ckic, but one with sweet
ness ani beauty and intelligence, cuc
who is a particular JOY to be with, ant
well, then, bang, everything IS otf !"
A chill descended on Joyce. She felt
a vast sickcning fear settle down be
nun1bingly over her What did he
mean? Did he-was he sorry for what
lad happened A fame Of white humil-
iation burned Joyce with intolerabi'
pain. She must get away quickly ans
hide herself from this thought. =.
She stood Up and tried to speak in {
casual, ordinary voice. Il think, Dicllie
its time for Us -. to go.
Ainsworth jumped to his feet, drop
ping Dicl,ie unccremoniously, and came
10 her. Look here, Joyce Don't go
You're-oh what shall 1 say?" He tool
her in his arms and kissed her agar
and again. Then he looked into her eyes
met her anxious smile and said softly
"Oh, what is there to talk about we
don't need any words, do we, darling !?
Joyce shook her head without speak
ing. She was swept back again to tht
heights of joyous happiness and she
chung to him now unqucsti2nlng.
At last however, she drew hersel
away and stood up, Strengthening hel
silk blouse with nervous hands anC
hastily combing her hair, which Aims
worth's caresses had rumpled. AS sh'
stood in front Of the mirror, he cam'
UP behind her and put his arms gently
around her body again His eyes me
hers in the glass He was so mucl
taller than Joyce that his chin reste(
on the top Of her curly yellow head
She leaned back against him, suddenly
aware of the fact that she was almos
limp with fatigue after the emotiona
storm she had passed through, ant
smiled into the mirror At that, h
wllirled her around and crushing her t.
him again buried his face in her neck
ooh, dearest most bcautl
ful -"
She nut her arms around hi
shoulders and whispered shyly, "Ot
am I all that . to yOu!