The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-06-22

shut out all unpleasant thoughts, She simply would not let them fly about, like midges, to torment her. She lay there, still in her rumpied thin frock, her arms locked be- hind her head. Where was Ml- chael Heatheroe now? On the high sesa, probably, bound toward the British Isles and his fabulous inheritance. We'll that part of her life was over and done with. It had been Q mad interlude. It didn't, as John was fond of say. ing, "add up." It didn't make sense, The sooner she forgot about 1t, the better for her.
 She had not expected to fall asleep, but she did. Perhaps 1t was because she had slept rather badly the night. before. Nights were 50 long, and moonlight on tho desert so hauntingly beauti- ful.
 When she awoke Miss Vincent was tapping at her door. "Aren', you coming, my dear? The Mil. lards will be disappointed"
 Well, she might as we'll go. Il would be something to do. f What were the lines of that poem of Margaret Widdemer's she had read aeons ago, not realizing the truth of 1t?
 "They've flowers and cakes and
 candlelight,
 And chair by crowded chair, And l am very sweet and kind
 Because l do not care ...
 think that I am hoping still,
 If I am very good,
 And talk to these around me
 As Q courteous lady should, The room will softly split across
 And roll to left and right
 With all its smiling pasteboard folks
 And colored things and light And let me run into the grass And climb 6 sunset hill. And find three hours one year ago When I was living still" Well, that was the way you felt You talked and smiled and wen, through the motions, but 1t didn't really mean anything. That poem told 1t all.
 Presently she put on a sleeve. less gren frock and @ little belt. ed silk jacket that matched 1t and she rouged her lips carefully because she was so pale, and she ra-l down into the patio where Evelyn Vincent was waiting. Dear me, aren't you splen. did?"
 Miss Roxana. recovered from her headache, was stretched out ir a deck chair in the shade, knit ting. She looked up admiringly "All the young men will be flock. ing to Silencia when they know Miss Strykhurst is about, won't they, sister?"
 Miss Daisy nodded, and Katha. rine smiled dutifully and thanked them both for their compliments. She went down the Jagged walk to the car with a dull pain at her heart. She would rather. she told herself passionately. be like Miss Roxana, faded and elderly; inter- ested in needlepoint and polite es- says. than be herself.
 People envied the young-older people did. They talked as if be- ing young was fun in itself. But 1t wasn't. Not when you'd had a knife turned in your heart. Not if you met each dawn with the sick prayer that you might some how get through the day.
 Misery, a black flood of despair, flowed over her spirit. She grip ped the wheel. thankful for the mechanical business of steering the little car over the vile roads. Her companion settled back to enjoy the scenery.
 "You don't mind coming, Kath- arinSg I really think you'li enjoy it."
 She made some suitable reply. But in her inmost heart she was convinced of one thing. There would never be any real enjoy. pient foe her in fhls world again. Not while Michael existed. at any rate.
 l'fo Be Conlinusal