Evening star., 1936-01-13
A~es a-srEG~<s1 Tn&

"I wonder it you'd be as
always," she told him gratefully
"You've been mighty decent, Bob. I
appreciate it"
80 I came East by plane" he ex-
planned. Drove up to see you. Now
that know everything is all right with
you, I'll hop back out there and clean
everything up right away!"
She tipped a bit of lichen away from
her. and watched it roll down the
ledge, and looked at him thoughtfully.
Then she smiled.
you mean, all right because of
Elmer?" she suggested straightfor-
wardly.
why, yes" he said, with honest
good will. "He seems like first rate
chap. I'm glad for you"
HE has asked me to marry him, v
she confessed. IF that's what you
mean" And she added I'VE were
discussing it, when you came. OF
course, Elmer never forgot you. never
forgot I was married. He seemed to
suspect that things weren't quite right
between you and me; but-he's never
made love to me. But I expect when
I'm free :"
Bob did not speak, nor for a while
did she. Then he laughed shortly; and
she asked:
what is it?" What is-funny?"
II was just thinking that Elmer and
I are in the same boat" he told her.
IT mean, neither of us has ever made
love to you"
She smiled. That's sol" she agreed.
Her eyes were averted, and he said
uncertainty: Perhaps if had, things
would have turned out differently"
She watched the toe of her stout
walking shoe; she turned her foot this
way and that, as though interested in
the line OF her ankle. And after a
moment she said quietly: You didn't
need to, Bob"
He was rigid beside her. She felt his
eyes upon her, felt her cheeks burn
uncontrollably. He said in husky
voice:
Kay, what do you mean?"
"I just mean, there wasn't any obli-
cation on you to-do that" she said,
in half panic. "Just because we were
married"
He~touched her arm. ''Kay?" he de-
manded. "Kay!" Ano when she did
not look at him. he cried: THAT
wasn't what you meant at ALL"
So she turned toward him slowly at
last. and his face blurred before her
eyes. She shook her head. mo-" she
admitted. "That wasn't what meant" A"
And she said honestly: II meant, you
didn't have to make love to me to make
me love you'll"
She could see pulse beating IN his
throat. He wetted his lips carefully;
and she laughed at him as woman
laughs at man, with q wise under
standing.
"Tell me the truth, Bob" she bade
him. "I've told you. Now you tell me.
Why did you come up here today?"
His eyes were shining. You know" "
he assured her.
"But-ten mel" she insisted.
And he said slowly, looking down
into the valley far below them: why.
after you left, I was-sore as boil
at you'll ] cut loose. Kay. Pretending !
didn't care, pretending ! was glad. And
then I went to Reno and established a
residence there. Fished and gambled,
and f1irted with-the sort of women
you find there. And started proceed
ings; and three days ago got notice
that our case would come up next
week."
He hesitated. well, I went into q
panic" he confessed. 1.-THE thought
Of letting you 60, for good and all, was
too much for me. I woke up, Kay, to
what I was losing; and thought
there might still be chance for me.
So few back here to see you. to find
out, to beg you -" His voice failed
ITO beg me for what" she prompted
"For everything!" he whispered.
She said gravely: Bob. there needn't
be any-pretending between US. ! love
you and you love me-"
He laugneo, ike man Ireed alte2
long captivity. He laughed. and
stretched his arms wide, and hugged
his knees. He looked at her with
twinkling eyes. How are you SO sure
about me-" he demanded, chuckling.
"You were 50 darned noble about
giving me up to Elmer!" she told him
''It stuck out all over you'll"
He nodded: and after o moment he
said soberly: "You know. can't help
seeing the funny side Of this. This
business Of ours. How 1t would look to
m outsider who-knew Ill about it.
He leaned his weight on one hand,
looking at her. I'VE got married when
We were both--a little tight. was Q
rascal to do that, and you were q
hussy. You and ! are just couple Of
outrageous people, clear outside the
pale Of decencyi"