The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-09-03

quickly, ana Sne duueu WIFI d III
tie laugh, "At least it's final"
"Oh You're not going to
see him any more. Is that it,"
Judith was astonished. Glow
did you guess that?"
at wasn't much of a guess. l
knew very well that no man
would be deciding not to see you
any more" Carefully he thread
ed the car in and out among the
thinning night traffic. "How did
you happen to make this momen-
tous decision?"
"He-he didn't want to marry
me-"
This startled Eden Harris for a
moment. but when he had taken
another look at Judith's face he
seemed relieved. 81 get it. You're
a young woman who plans to take
full advantage of the fact that
this is a leap year" |
mo You see, Steve and
have known each other for a
long time. More than four years,
to be exact. II thought that
was a little extended for an en-
gagement."
II should think so! But what
made this Steve so backward, I'd
like to know"
Judith hesitated, then found
herself continuing. "He didn't |
think he was making enough |
money to marry. was willing
to keep my job-wanted to, in
fact. But Steve couldn't agree"
proud, eh?"
eyes, and to me it seemed |
foolish pride"
Harris did not answe rfor mo-
ment. They drove with only the
hum of the motor between them.
Then: "When did all this hap
pen?"
81 told him yesterday"
yesterday" repeated the doc
tor in establishment. "You were
speaking of it in the past tense,
and l had an idea that"
at should be in the past tense"
Judith told him. "But that's what
Steve can't believe. He tried to
see me tonight. l went to movie
to get away from him. Then when
l came home ne was waiting in
the doorway. I'd turned down the
street again when this accident
happened" She studied his pro-
file, hoping that he would make
some comment on what she'd told
him. And when he offered, none
she could not refrain from ask
ing, "Do you-well, do you think
| was right, Doctor Harris?"
He thought a moment. Eyes,
Pm sure you were. The conditions
the past few years haven't been
very conducive to young marri-
ages. But when two people have
been in love as long as you and
this man it makes things-diffi-
cult, to say the least. Yes, 1
think you were right in wanting
Steve to meet conditions as they
are. Personally, l see no harm
in a wife working out of the
home, especially if she's healthy
and competent. Of course, later
on, she'll want a home and chill
dren. But by that time the hus-
band is likely to be making
enough to support her."
Judith sighed with relief. "You
don't know how good it is to hear
you say that"
"Well," Harris laughed. "That's
just a general statement, and l
don't pretend to be an expert"
He looked down at her. you're
really quite ready to stand by
your decision?"
"What makes you doubt it,"
Because you're afraid to see
him."
Judith nodded. "I'm-I'm afraid
he'll convince me that we should
just keep on going together, and
postpone marriage a little while
longer. He's done that so often.
suppose you think Pm weak"
"Not weak. It's just that you
still love him." said Harris quiet
ly. -,
eyes -" she admitted. 81
still do"
Harris lapsed into silence, drove
several blocks before he spoke
again. And when he did release
himself he had resumed his
former manner. Reaching into
his pocket, he drew out a pack
of cigarets. Smoker"
Thanks" She accepted the
light from his pocket torch, then
raised her eyes to his, trying to
match his mood. "Tell me, doc
tor, do you think time will cure
me?"
81 don't know" he replied in
mock professional manner. Glove
is a curious disease. Time is the
only treatment to which it re-
sponds-and you can't depend abb
solutely on that"
"But what was it Shakespeare
said? Men have died but
not for love- It's, never fatal"
Nevertheless Judith's borrowed
cynicism refused to ring true.
81 wouldn't say never fatal.
Rarely fatal is more accurate.
You're very young and - as l
think I've said before-very pref
ty. Other men are going to fall
in love with you. A great many,
l should think, now that you've
given Steve the gate and the field
is open. It's hard for you to be-
lieve now, but l think the chances
ora nnnd that You'll run into