The Washington times., 1935-03-09

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dow, looking down the hill. When
she heard Stuart's step she
turned. There was great peace in
her face but also heart-breakins
sadness.
No Regrets
where's Damerell-
hes gone. you were wrong,
Stuart. ats just as I told you.
l knew he cut himself out Of my
heart that night. There's no re-
gret-no feeling left"
"Sharlene-are you sure?"
Eyes. was fair. I. even let
him kiss me-tu see if he could
stir me. as you said" She Shud-
dered. Il told him was going
! to Reno tomorrow. But there's
really no hurry. I don't care
about anything"
She was picking at a bandage
on her finger to hide the tears
yelling into her eyes.
How did you hurt yourseH2"
"It'S nothing-paring pota-
toes"
why all the drudgery, shar-
lene? You didn't need to do it.
You didn't need my help. Why
the elaborate pretense?"
She drew back a little, fright
ened. What do you mean?"
Folsom says a great part of
your fortune is still intact.
You're still a very rich woman"
"Oh, for PHYS sake!" She
flung herself away. Il can give
it away, can't II"
"JuSt tell me this. Why did
you come up here pretending to
be penniless?"
"Oh, Stuart, can't you see?...
wanted to prove that I'm not
an expensive article'-that you
could work with me-we could
work together. But it was no
use. You found me a nuisance
just as you said ="
But why, Sharlene. did you
come here to prove
AS they faced each other,
groping piteously for understand,
ing, one of the carved wood
doors fell with clatter to the
floor. Sharlene turned quickly
and caught a glimpse OF un-
earthly moonlight on white
marble lattices within the shrine.
A. if hypnotized she moved
across the floor and pushed aside
the other door. hanging broken
on its hinges. For long time
she gazed at the picture, and
then Stuart became aware OF her
soft sobbing. He went slowly
toward her, and when she telt
him there she turned bllndly
and buried her face in his coat,
holding him close with straln1ne
arms.
At the Shrine
"Oh, Stuart, your shrine! I'm
so happy-so happy" ill.,.
He Stood very still, waiting
his blue eyes going dark. she
looked up at him through d
maze of tears. "You do love me,
stuart-as you did that n1gnt?.
eyes," he said simply. "O1
course. But" -
"Oh, don't you see, dearest
that's why I came up hereT Anu
7 thought I'd failed to win back
what I'd thrown away: But Cne
shrine-Oh, Stuart! I love you
I worship you-1 want you!
He looked deeply into me-
ewes, then, suddenly believing. ne
took her into his arms. ana
This time their kiss was not dis
t1Irbed by shadows or by ghosts.
After a long time, she stlrreo'
put the money, Stuart,
"We've got that licked naVenC
we?" he said, with a return OF
the old twinkle in his eyes. I've
proved something, too. can
support you-in the style to
which you're unaccustomed!"
"You can support me IN the
style I like" she told him. "ano
the old moneys just our 1nsur'
ance, But 1 think we'd better
never tell the children we nave
"rhe children9" he asked quiz
zically. ,4
yes. My job. You won't
mind-if keep 'em from ooVneE-
He laughed and Rugged her
"Oh, darling, Darlington shall
have your job-just so you don't
forget that I'm here. -. Ten me-
sharlene, when did you oegln 10
Il think it's been always, since
the day I knocked you OIL the
horse. Kent dazzled me-but
knew there was no one In the
world like you, from the day l
married-him." They looked at
each other with deep understand
ing. 1T put the thought Of you
down fiercely-because I was so
ashamed Of the way I'd treated
you-and because I thought
owed him everything could give
for my lack of faith. But he
Cancelled that debt himself at
last-mercifully. Isn't 1t wonder
full? And dearest, I want you to
know that the most heavenly mo
ment of my life was that"
She turned toward the painting
in the niche. They both looked
up at it: The Indian maid and
the Indian man on the marble
balcony at Jai Samand. The
steadfast love that was like a
holy flame leaping in the eyes