The Washington times., 1935-09-12

happy. The party took on a
livelier air. The furniture in the
living room was pushed against
the wall. Cecily'S wolfhound,
Car holaS the Second,
known intimately as Nick, got
between everyone's feet and
there were bursts of laughter.
In the library Lester officiated
at a miniature bar, but he took
no more himself. Lola Evans
and her husband came in after
their show and Lola was pre-
vailed upon to sing and dance.
She was an acid mimic and
her burlesque Of Rudy Vallee
was followed by enthusiastic ap-
plause. Helen danced and
danced. Dancing always filled
her with exhilaration.
While she was dancing with
Arch Evans, Nose, the old
butler called her.
Miss Helen, oh, Miss Helen,
there's someone to see you"
Pardon me a moment, Arch.
Who is it, Mose?"
you'd better come and see
for yo'self."
"I'll be right back, Arch"
She followed the creaking old
man down the long hall to the
door. In the small reception
room off the hallway stood Wal.
ter.
For what seemed an eternity
they faced each other without
speaking. The butler shuffled
back along the hall to the living
room. From that end came the
sound of laughing voices, the
blare of the music. Helen
switched on the main lights.
II want to see the children"
he said. I'm going on a trip
tomorrow. I may not see them
again."
Helen said with a new cold
ness: Your sisters were forever
making little suicide threats. Is
this one of them?"
He flushed. IT hoped you be-
lieved better Of me than that.
No, I just want to see them.
I'm tired. I may be gone for six
months. I'm going to South
America. Many things happen
in six months-even unpremedi-
tated things"
They're sleeping" she said
more gently.
MAY see them sleeping?"
Helen turned and walI.:e
down the hall. He followed her
on tiptoe. The hall turned in
an ell where the children's room
was. She opened the door
softly and switched on the
night light, then closed the door
swiftly to keep out the sounds
of gaiety from the living rooms.
He stood over the two softly
breathing sleeping children.
For long time he stood
silent, studying them. And then
Helen realized she was weeping.
It was effortless, quiet weeping.
Not even her face contracted.
Tears poured from her eyes,
down her cheeks. She did not
sob: she made no sound. She
squeezed her eyes tightly shut
but the tears seeped through.
He turned slowly, handling his
hat.
Thank you" he whispered.
"I'll 60 now"
Then she saw he was weeping
too and her face moved and
she sobbed softly.
He was her husband. A thou.
sand memories they shared,
thousand intimacies. She had
lain in his arms warm and
yielding. She had loved him and
no divorce, not even another
husband, would ever take his
place.
He made no move to touch
her. II want you to know be-
fore I CO." he told her swiftly,
that never believed a word
Of it. My mother called for you
just before she died. It's too
late now for anything. You de-
serve to be happy" He pointed
to the ring that glittered on her
finger. II never made you
happy although wanted to-"
you did," she contradicted,
I'VE had some lovely moments
on the farm, in Florida, in
Europe. =" She bit her lip. So
many tragic moments. Like
ghosts sent to haunt them, the
past fitted between them.
But I'm free now" he said.
II know you'll be glad to know
I'm free Of them. guess it hap.
pened when you left me. I threw
off my sisters and they go their
way and I go mine. I don't ever
see them. Losing you was a ter
rible thing, Helen; it gets
harder instead of easier, but at
least, IL freed me-"
Il am glad, Walter. You de-
serve some happiness. You've
always been so unSelfish-so
Self-sacrificing. 90"
They were at the door now.
Thank you. Helen, you too"
He was about to go. Still he
fingered.
do you want to come in to
my party?" she faltered.
I'm not dressed" but his
face frightened. He looked at