The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-08-25

world, sophisticated, travelled,
tolerent
No, she couldn't do that. She
daren't tell him or anyone! Stated
badly, it sounded too fantastic.
There's man know . he
hasn't any money or any back
ground or education. But Pm in
love with him. He wants me to
marry him, go away, live sort
of gypsy life. At home I'm at
standstill. Pm persona non grata
with the younger crowd, right
now. Pm unhappy. want to
begin to live. It's terrible to be
young and bottled up. What
shall | do?"
AS, she knew what he would
say, what any intelligent, dispas-
sionaJe person would say. Wait
carve out some sort of career
for yourself-be brave, be pa
tient. Life won't pass you by!
1t was easy to say that-easy
to counsel patience, courage.
Meanwhile Russ waited, with his
logged look of devotion, his
calm, flattering need of her.
Boots felt what every girl bios
soming into rosy womanhood
feels-the urgent need Of being
wanted. Ignor Mt of the forces
working within ner, she was con-
Jscious only of a great desire to
do things, to be all that was love-
lily and desirable, adequate in any
situation. however difficult.
She could, she thought, have
been a pioneer woman, gallant in
danger, resourceful in difficulties.
Why, her own great grandmother,
at her age, had been married for
two years-had had a child! AS
it was, everyone treated her like
a child, still. She was told to
run away and play when she
spoke of anything more serious
than sorority tea. 1t was hu-
initiating, maddening. Russ would
free her from that sort Of thing.
All this raced through her mind
as she watched the lean brown
hand of Denis Fenway reaching
for a cigaret in the pocket of his
flannel coat.
He looked up at her. a keen,
observant glance. Don't want
to tell me eh?"
"No," she stammered, ali con-
fusion. Il don't thing So"
! She looked away. struck by some
+ flash Of insight in those narrow
dark blue eyes.
''How-how old are you?" she
blurted out suddenly, scarcely re-
aliZing what she said.
! "I'm 27," he told her gravely.
"Why?"
81 just wondered. Just a few
years Older than Russ, she was
musing. you've done a lot,
been successful, haven't you?"
He shrugged, modestly disclaim.
ing this view. '1've been lucky
| finished college earlier thar
most people. l had-breaks. A
| first novel at "a. 1t happened tc
sell. I met the right crowd in
New York, my stuff began to &c
we'll"
Boots cupped her chin in hel
hands. Her heart-shaped face
framed in its gilt halo, was very
serious. Her brown eyes, family
| flecked with amber, stared
STRAIGHT past him.
"Do you honestly think that
breaks are what COUNT" she de-
manded. "Do you think life is
mapped out for us or that we
make our own decisions?"
Age-old question, age-old prob
lem! The young man, thus grave
ly challenged, gave her a fleeing
glance.
81 don't honestly know" he
said. 81 think luck has a lot to
do with it. You meet me this
morning, we have a talk-maybe
the whole course Of your life is
changed. If you hadn't walked
early perhaps everything would
be different"
"Ah, but we haven't said any
thing that matters, really" Boots
offered shyly. ~ haven't asked
advice. You haven't given any.
So WHAT"
He shrugged his shoulders.
81 meant--if you had asked
me. Then | should have told you
precisely what | thought, pulling
on my old gray beard, and you
would have gone home strength
ened, comforted. :" His eyes
had the ghost of a twinkle in
/ them.
you're laughing at me-" Boots