The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-01-31


ly. He wanted to put his arms
around her, to bury his face in the
softness of her hair, to tell ner all
the pretty things she used to like
to hear but was too busy to listen
to nowadays.
But before he could say a word
she reached for the white and gilt
telephone on the low table beside
her. She gave a number. Dereh,
frowning, waited.
THAT you, Mako? Yes, Lila.
Derek's feeling seedy. You're going
to the Martins tonight, aren't you?
Well, be lamb and drop by for
me. Thanks so much. About TO-"
She hung up. That's that" she
said gaily. 81 wouldn't miss those
Russian dancers for worlds. Run
along, darling. I told Koto dinner
at eight and it's almost that now"
Derek stood up. He had got his
way-that is, partly, and yet he
wasn't satisfied. OF course it was
perfectly all right for Lila to go the
Martin party with Mako. Why not?
But he had so hoped she'd give the
affair up for him. It was such a
little thing to do. .....
Still nursing that sense of battle
ment, of defeat, Derek went to his
own room. He ran his hand over
his chin. He must shave and change
and, oh, God, he was so tired! What
wouldn't he give for bite by his
own fire, a woman opposite him
with a quiet voice, in dark gown?
Lila scarcely ever wore dark things
except for street wear. In the eve
ming she was always slim, supple
and perfumed. her hair exquisitely
coiffed, her skin cleaning. She wore
silver tissue and gilt, creamy lace.
Soft fabrics rustled deliciously at
her approach and soft scents lin
gered on the air.
Almost like a man in a daze, he
dressed for dinner. The meal was.
as always, perfectly served; the
food piquant, delicious. But some
thing was missing. Derek found
himself muttering under his breath,
Better a dish of herbs where love
is :" But he couldn't remember
the rest.
what did you say. darling?"
Lila looked at him oddly.
Nothing. Nothing" He pulled
himself up with a start.
T ATER he punctiliously pulled
II out her chair for her, waited
while she preceded him into the
dim drawing room and lighted her
cigaret. Rain was falling over the
city now. splashing against the
windows in black rivulets. He
shiyered. The cold which had seized
him earlier in the day took firmer
grip upon him. He felt i'll .
Lila turned on the radio and the
music sickened him. He must be
definitely i'll, he told himself saw
agely. to be in such a CHASTITY frame
of mind. He tried to pull himself
together, to be chatty and casual,
but he felt his effort to be de-
cided failure.
For her part, Lila seemed not to
notice and he was grateful. There
was something to be said about
Lila's determined effort to live on
the surface of life. People like that
who insisted Oh the gra-
cious, the luxurious, in everything
were rather easy to live with If
all you wanted was creature COM
fort, he thought. But with his whole
soul he found himself longing for
beyond and apart from
all these soft cushions, shaded
lights and clinking glasses. He
hoped ne wasn't whining about
being misunderstood" No, his need
was deeper and more fundamental
than that. 1t had something to do
with home with the old fash
toned Interpretation Of the word.
Home is where the heart Is"
Derek murmured, staring at his
IT, - .E.s-s ,E