The Washington times., 1934-07-31

uncle worthy set out on the
table, and went down to the
bank to see him.
AS she shook hands with Wal
lace, Susan felt Shabbier than
usual. In comparison with his
double-breaSted blue suit, his
necktie of rich and heavy satin,
his glossy black shoes, her old
fur coat seemed to take on an
extra rustineSS and "rattineSS. :"
He drew up a chair for her
beside his desk, and seated him.
self in his own chair, looking
very business-like, as if he were
ready to discuss stocks and
bonds and second mortgages
with her. Far back in his eyes
was a questioning look as if he
were wondering why she had
come to see him.
will you go out and have
lunch with me after a bit?" he
asked. Il can't leave until half
past IL. I shouldn't, at any
rate"
Susan's throat frightened and
Stiffened all at once so that she
had to swallow h ard two or
three times before she could
answer. Thanks, but I don't
care for lunch, Wallace. I came
down here to see you because I
have IA sort of confession to
make to you."
She clasped her hands on the
very edge of his flat-topped
desk. In the palm of the left
one was the ring box, held tight
ly as she had held her Sunday
school nickel when she was a
little girl.
"Yes?" Wallace draped one
arm over the back of his swivel
chair and smiled at her calmly.
"And what is this dreadful con-
feSsion?" His smile implied that
whatever it was it couldn't be
so bad or so very important. He
was very certain of her, and his
certainty showed in his attitude.
"It really is dreadful, Wal
lace" Susan put her elbows on
the desk and leaned closer to
him so that the elderly man
could not hear what she was 60
ing to say.
"Our engagement can't go
on!" She brought the words out
in a rush. Its all over!"
Wallace sat back in his chair
as if she had reached out and
slapped him across his face. He
stared at her as if she were a
total stranger who had brought
him some shocking piece Of
news.
But how?" he asked finally.
"How not go on?"
Susan stared down at her
clasped h ands. This is the
hardest thing I've ever had to
do, Wallace. To explain this to
you, I mean. But do want to
be honest with you. When I told
you I'd marry you I fully in
tended to do it. I was sure I
loved you. But I'd never been in
love before, and I didn't know
what it was like"
"Ah!" Wallace's smile came
back into his face, the kind of
smile that is as bitter as look
of extreme dislike. II see. You've
found out since then what it
is like to be in love. Is that it?"
I'm afraid it is"
Wallace got out of his chair.
Lets go somewhere and talk
this over" he said, lin private.
I'm afraid I don't quite get the
hang of what you're trying to
say"
He got his overcoat and his
rubbers and his hat, and side
by side they crossed the white
marble floor of the bank and
out into the cold sunshine of
South Main Street,
CHAPTER XXVI
Susan was filled with apology
to the bottom of her soul, and
she had feeling that she ought
to tell Wallace how she felt. But
1t seemed too enormous a
wrong to apologize for-telling
a man that you were about to
break your engagement to him
just when it had been publicly
announced. Especially when
the man had been Tilted once
before, as Lutte said Wallace
had been pilted by Eleanor Ken
dali.
They were nearing the icy
stone steps that led up into the
lobby of the st. Vincent Hotel.
AS they reached them he took
Susan by the arm and Steered
her into it and across the lobby
to the dining room where she
and Allen had had tea a few
days before.
"I suppose I'm a little stunned
by what you've just told me,
Susan," Wallace said when they
were seated at a sunny table
and he was busy thinking in a
straight line, but this doesn't
seem to end anything between
us. You've cared for me for
almost two years, and you still
do. You must. Two weeks ago
you did"
Suddenly his fork went down
upon his plate with clatter,
and he crumpled his napkin
down upon the table cloth.
"Good lord, I've arranged to
buy that house, tool" he ex-
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