The Coolidge examiner., 1936-09-04


His face was almost pale. Il didn't
know this whole business meant so
much to you, Bryn. thought it
was all lark. You said it was. |
knew Deborah was beautiful, and
sweet-anybody can see that-and
that you well, that you were in
terested in her. You'd be blind if
you were weren't
Bryn interrupted him. And what
did you say about Sally and Made
line? Whatever you said seems to
have been adequate. Grandmother
gave me a bad half hour, after Deb
orah was gone, tonight. She got
me into her sitting room and
uuizzed me. She suggested delicate
ly that Deborah's feelings might be
quite distinctly hurt at the thought
that there had been other girls in
my life who had meant so much
to me-"
There was a long silence.
"Bryn," Tubby broke in on him,
did Grandmother actually expect
you and Deborah to fall into each
others arms the moment you met
and well, have everything all
settled between you"
"She hoped we would, yes"
Tubby gulped. Il don't quite I'M
derstand her point of view," he went
on. Here's Deborah she's
nothing but a child. She doesn't
know anything. She's as . . fresh
as a spring morning, and as uncOn-
scious about we'll, about &.
that is, about :"
You needn't founder. l am aware
of your meaning. In Victorian times
a girl was supposed to be pure and
entirely ignorant. Deborah doesn't
know anything. She may have a
few funny little ideas, but she
doesn't know. That's one of the
present difficulties. She's terrified.
Well, a Victorian girl was supposed
to have for her prospective hus-
band only such feelings as respect
and admiration and perhaps gen
tie affection. Deborah was supposed
to have those for Stuart Graham.
They'd been inculcated in her. SO
Grandmother hadn't any compunc-
ton about handing her over to
him." Bryn's face was contracted.
Poor little kid" he said under his
breath.
Tubby glanced at him and was ST.
lent again. He moved his chair.
Tubby began. Does she think
=. does she expect -"
"She does," Bryn said with bitter
ness. "She thinks that wedding
ring Is kind OF magic talisman.
If she knew that Deborah and l
were strangers, she'd die. Mar
riage is kind of enclosure, to her.
Deborah and l are one forever, she
thinks, and the future is safe and
secure. If life is smooth and un-
ruffled she may live for years. If
she is unhappy, troubled, she will
just drift out. And If anything did
happen to her, Deborah would new
er be happy again. She would al
ways think she'd failed her."
Tubby stood up. He moved across
to his friend, and faced him.
"Bryn," he said steadfastly, II don't
want to make any more mistakes.
think I'm sure, but I'd like your
word for it. never saw you like
this before. Is it the real thing.
Bryn? It's got you, at last? You
are in love with Deborah?"
Bryn pulled away. He went
across to the window, and stood
looking out at the stars. He turned
at last. YES" he said.
Tubby swallowed. Then, I'm
sorry l acted like fool"
IT'S all right, Tubby. Nothing
you said would make any difference
to Deborah. She doesn't care any
thing about me-"
Listen" Tubby said. "Why don't
you Just show her how you feel,
Bryn? mean. put your arms
around her and, well, kiss her. Cant
you do that?'
mo"
"Why"
''She gave me an opportunity
once. was afraid to. She wouldn't
understand. You've got to remem-
Der that she doesn't understand any
thing. I'd frighten her. She might
never get over it. If I've got a
chance at all, Tubby, it's in letting
her get used to me. Once she has
confidence in me, really trusts me,
once we get to be friends, then per
haps l can oh, touch her hand
once in while. But If l fright,
ened her now-I'm sunk"
'She wouldn't be frightened. ]
guess you're in love, all right.
You're too modest, Bryn. She
wouldn't be frightened. She'd find
herself returning your kiss. It's
more or less an unconscious process
anyway, isn't it?"
Bryn stared at him, the gray eyes
dreaming. far away. They came
back to earth. Tubby had a sug-
gestion.
(TO BE CONTINUED
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