The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-08-20

GOOuu. OAEh1 III Wu1I0 4A4Su 81
Cali right, Helen, Shoot" he
said gravely. Tell me every
thing. I promise you I won't
interrupt. I know pretty much
what you're up against but
there must be another way be-
sides leaving Walter. It's cruel
to you both. You love him, and
he loves you. can't help
thinking it's like amputating
the hand because the finger is
fostering. All right, now, tell
me. I'll keep my opinions to
myself until you've finished"
He opened his cigarette case
and carefully chose one. I'm
der cover Of lighting it, he
studied her carefully. Come,
We'll walk on the boardwalk
in the sun. The sun makes
everything so much brighter"
Helen laughed. wait, I'll
get a hat"
They walked slowly arm in
arm along the boardwalk, en-.
crossed in conversation. AS they
talked Dirk was conscious Of
her beauty: how she blended
into the richly colored tropical
scene; the emerald-green sea,
the dazzling sand. Helen's ash.
blonde hair, her warm skin, her
slim, supple form-they were
all indelibly stamped on his
memory. He would always as.
sociate her and this lovely
scene. He brought himself to
the problem at hand with an
effort. He wanted to help her.
He had come down to help
her.
Helen, family interference
has shattered more marriages
than immortality and infidelity
and drink put together. Some
times even well-meaning rela-
tives can poison the lives Of
two persons" He drew a deep
breath, wondered If he sounded
as pedantic to her as he did to
himself, but he went firmly on.
"Walter isn't entirely to blame"
mop" she asked huskily.
Hasn't he listened and abetted
and been influenced by them?
If he truly loved me, he
wouldn't even let them dis
cuss me-" .
theoretically you're right but
actually families seem to think
they have a divine right. It's
perfectly easy to shut up we'll
meaning friends but not so easy
to shut up a mother or sister.
Walter is a peculiar fellow, abso-
lutely the victim OF c1rcum'
stances. He has an idea his
sisters have made him"
They swung along together IN
step. Dirk clenched her arm
but went on calmly.
"You see, my dear, the war
and the unusual prosperity Of
the last six years since the war
have put into the hands Of PEG.
pie without cultural background
O lot Of money and power which
they never had before in their
whole history and which they
know neither how to use nor
how to enjoy. Not one Of them
knows how to adjust himself to
life, not even Walter. There are
thousands Of such people. Lists
of millionaires contain hun
dreds of new names, men who
amassed fortunes during the
war. They are quite dreadful.
They are building magnificent
palaces in the worst possible
taste along the ocean front here
and everywhere else, filling
them with things and more
things. Things dominate their
lives, fill their minds, become
their Deity and the result
restless, dissatisfied people, with
out tradition, without under
standing and without charm. ~
He laughed. But we're roaming
far afield from your problem.
"My little problem seems curl
ously unimportant when placed
against that broader horizon"
said Helen.
Dirk grinned. THAT'S fine.
That, I believe, is called perspec-
tive. But to come back. At
least give Walter a chance. You
can't just walk out on him like
this. It isn't sportsmanlike and
will only bring unhappineSs to
you both. You've been here
nearly a week. Your brow must
certainly have been cooled q
little! Wire for him. Get him
here. Get him away from those
women! Walk with him along
this lovely waterfront and put
the facts up to him clearly and
without heat. Remember what
we said about poise? Don't
weaken, don't compromise. God
and 1sinnt ava ~ 1yn,,s eiIa ~;,,n