The Washington times., 1934-05-25

ana, let herSeu drop into the
clear, deep silver of the lake.
The icy splash of the water
was good.
Then she saw Dale's boat.
He was going over to the land
Ing on the far side Of the lake,
where the road ends. The dark,
small woman was with him.
She didn't see him return
ing; but, at S o'clock, Pippin
went down to her boat.
The high, precipitous cliffs
on either side of the long, mar.
row inlet shut her from view.
Dale was already there. He
looked. wretched - the warm,
sensuous color of. his face
dulled.
She's gone, Pippin."
81 saw you in your boat"
'"Well-I want to explain"
But why, Dale? You don't
have to explain to me-"
He dropped her hand, but
stood regarding her with dark,
quiet, deeply wounded eyes.
"I didn't mean it that way,
Dale. What do you want to
Say?"
Reconciliation
"Oh just this we parted
three years ago as told you.
I've not seen her since until to-
day. She wrote me a letter
which I have-said she was
never coming back-life together
was impossible and she was
starting suit for divorce.
THAT was fine with me. But
wasn't interested in any one
else-never intended to re.
marry. So let the whole thing
slide-waiting for her to start
it. = She didn't.
"Her plans and her ideas
changed. A man she liked mar
ried another.
about seven months ago she
started writing to me. I've done
fairly well with my work.
Though she has money Of her
own, she liked the idea that I
was making a name-as she
thought. She suggested q recon
ciliation. never answered her
letters. There were four Of these.
Just before I came up here, I
filed suit charging deSertion.
She's been away. Two days ago,
she returned to Los Angeles
where she lives. The notice
was given her. She found out
where I was and came up here
to protest.
I'm sorry" Pippin said, not
lookingrat him and feeling lost
for the right words. She felt
strangely cold and drained. IT
hope she won't make you un-
happy"
He gave her sharp tor
mented, questioning look. "It's
not in her power to make me
unhappy! She did all she could
in that direction years ago.
I'm not at all worried about
her.
I'm thinking of you. I'm
sorry I wasn't more explicit in
the beginning. But. Of course,
there was no occasion then to
talk of my personal affairs.
"And I've considered myself
free. I AM free! The legal
technica1ity is external. It will
be quickly settled. She is quite
powerless to block it in view Of
proofs I have"
He came close to Pippin,
leaning against a rock at her
side.
He said bitterly: IT seem
shabby to you. Can you think
! would really trick you?"
She had never seen him u1-
happy or depressed. Now the
black SideburnS and the black
hair emphasized the drawn pal.
lor of his face.
"You haven't tricked me. In
what way? I've not thought"
But I have! I've thought of
you, Pippin. This morning I
asked you to marry me year
from now!"
49, No Choice
He looked directly into her
eyes, his own smouldering. He
said, with a sudden red tide
sweeping his face: "I care for
you, Pippin. I'll keep on car
ing. There's no choice"
He stood a moment. hesitant,
then walked over to his boat.
"Goodby, Pippin."
She shook off the cold, un-
easy strain. She came to him
and, said impulsively: whats
the difference, Dale? A person
can have q friend-a gay, care
less friend"
He gave her a long, search
ing look that brought q flush
trembling to her eyes. He held
her with the dark, intent ardor
of his gaze.
Then he smiled and said sim.