Henderson daily dispatch., 1936-10-22
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CHAPTER 70


his hand on her wrist after she
had boldly announced to him and
to Kathleen that she thought she
could do better than to marry
Kim. Alix pulled her hand away
ungracefully.
Kathleen's face was a study in
disbelief. "AliX, what are you try
ing to do?"
AliX lifted her head with an in
dependent gesture without meet
ing the other girls eyes, Trying
to tell the truth You've both al
ways had things-security, a nice
home, good times. Can't you un-
derstand another girl wanting
those things?"
"Of course" Kathleen said
quietly.
well, then, there you are. The
situation in a nutshell" She grew
holder as she gathered courage, Il
knew long ago that you and Kim
were in love with each other. I've
always known that Kim loved
you"
Kathleen and Kim looked at
each other and said nothing.
"Now, I'm sorry. At least,
I have the honesty to tell you so.
I'll feel better if we all call it
quits tonight. Thanks, both of
you, for the nice things you've
done for me. I appreciate them
In spite of what you might think
but I don't want to see either of
you again. Because you both re-
mind me of what a really shame
less kind Of a girl I am"
Kim looked as though he were
going to laugh. AS though this
were a monstrous joke Of Alix's.
And then as though he were re-
lieved. He didn't know that she
was putting on an act.
II may be ashamed but I don't
feel any different than I did. Tn
young, attractive and intelligent
I'm also ambitious. Well, why
shouldn't I be? I know that men
fall for me. They always have
Bitterness welled up in her, CAL
men love me-none of them
enough. So, I might as well ap-
proach the thing sensibly. That's
all"
She turned and leaned her ell.
bow on the mantel, swallowing the
lump in her throat.
Kathleen stood at her back but
Alix didn't turn.
"Goodby, Alix." That was al
she said. Her voice didn't con
denim Alix.
"Goodby," Alix's farewell wa:
said on casual note, her last tone
nigh.
She turned when she heard hel
door open, saw Kim and Kathleen
pass through it. Saw Kathleen
reach for Kim's outstretched hant
and the expression in his face a.
he turned to his cousin.
She felt nothing but a kind O
peace then. Later the LONELINESS
would come. The realization tina
she did not have Kathleen.
Mice clean breaks seem to b.
my long suit" she said, refusin,
an invitation to the Markoes. I
she had to lose Kim and Kathleen
she couldn't continue to go aroun,
with the same crowd. It woul,
embarrass them and be Impossible
for her.
I'D like to-" she said, "but Nv
got to work every night thi
week." -. or, I'm off to Wash
ington to see about some publicit,
at the leading stores"
She always had an excuse an
ohe found the work to do so tina
her whole life wouldn't be a lie.
She went to Washington, spen
O week there in dreadful heat
accepted the invitation of the stor
publicity director to dine an
dance, listened to his attempts t.
amuse her, smiled pleasantly an
wished that she were back in New
York, back in her own apartment
where she didn't have to smile.
But when she was at home
night after night, watching wit
Swallowed eyes the endless process
sion of summer twilights tina
crawled back into time, she wa
no happier. Her restlessness wa
an unceasing thing. It ate int
her very mind.
She longed for morning to come
to find forgetfulness in her jol
And then she began to dread he
work. 1t was so always the same