The Coolidge examiner., 1934-05-25

time for dinner. without having to
hurry.
Barbara was thrilled.
She thought he might have for.
gotten.
The fact that he had voluntarily
mentioned the great day increased
her happiness 100 per cent.
She kissed him tenderly and
agreed to the time and place OF the
meeting.
During the intervening days be
fore Friday Dick felt rather low.
lie hated TO resort 20 such tricks !:
he hated TO make Barbara unhappy
II Il could be prevented
She was so wholly lovable and
trusting Yet he must go through
with a. It was the only way.
She must be cured.
And so when. at last. Friday
rolled around. Dick left the office
early as previously planned. but IN
stead Of driving in town toward the
agreed meeting place, he turned his
car toward the suburbs and home.
He drove slowly. moodily.
once or twice he almost changed
his mind. hut the traffic was heavy
and turning about would be diff
cult
tie parked his car In the garage
which he rented. couple OF blocks
from the house, and sat in II few
moments. unhappily contemplating
the blank wall ahead.
II was now 5:l5. and he judged
that Barbara would just about be
arriving at fremont and Bolyston.
lie couldn't conceive OF her being
more than a quarter hour late on
their anniversary.
Presently he climbed from the
machine. closed and locked the ga
rage doors. sighed heavily. and
started home. II was, he reflected.
going to be a pretty trying scene
when they faced each other later
that evening.
He pictured her now. standing on
the corner. looking about for him.
an anxious expression In her brown
eyes.
He saw her garhed in her new
gown, the dress she had bought and
preserved for this occasion.
He saw the eager anticipation in
her face: the growing dlsappoInt-
ment and despair when he didn't
come.
TITS no more than she deserves"
be told himself sayagely.
"fll cure her once and for all Of
this habit OF being late. She de-
serves Il!
Yet as he swung into the walk
and unlocked the front door. a feel
Ing OF utter misery swept over him.
lie felt ike n cad. sneaky. utter
Is unhappy He wished nightly
that be had decided against the
idea.
II was an underhanded thing 10
do. a pretty low way OF getting
back.
lie entered the living room, flung
his hat on the dlvan and slumped
dejectedly into a chair
Guilt and shame and misery we're
written on his face. And suddenly
he gave way 10 the urge he had
been hghting against.
lie leaped TO his feet, glanced at
his watch. discovered Il was exact
ly 8 80 and decided that II he hur-
rled he could get in town Ia ten
minutes. lie could offer some ex-
cuse. A fat tire. Engine trouble.
Anything 10 explain
Abruptly he stopped, stared.
swallowed. rubbed his eyes.
The bedroom door had opened.
Barbara stood there. respondent
in her new gown. her hat on her
head. gloves In her hands, bag
tucked under her arm.
At sight OF him her eyes wild
ened. She rushed across the room.
Darling Oh, precious, how
sweet OF you 10 think OF coming
home to get me l wondered II you
were intending TO let me ride in on
the dirty street cars. And sou got
here just In time. too. / was just
about 10 leavel Another moment
and I would have been goner'
Dick stared and bllnked and tried
10 adjust his confused thoughts.
Five thlrty-fve his watch had
said.
And she was just about 20 leave
And on their anniversary. too!
Rage seized him.
lie opened his mouth to speak,
checked himself, saw her big brown
eyes looking at him so tenderly, so
loyably, so adorably.
A feeling OF helplessness, utter,
stark helplessness took possession
OF him. He wondered what he'd
hat.ar 10 yronderpd what he cOuld