The Washington times., 1936-05-28

1--WE have the next half cen,
tury."
ut won't be long enough"
This was the way their mar
riage started. The fervor would
remain high and sweet-always.
OF this they were so sure, as
they sat before the sparkling
river, loving each other, that
warm May morning.
x * X
From the kitchen window. Nell
saw the moon rising. 1t was big
and dusty-gold like a Chinese
lantern hanging in the sky. It
would be beautiful on the river
tonight.
Ricky was out there waiting
for her-a tall, impatient shadow
moving restlessly and glancing at
the window to wonder if she
would ever come out.
Hastily she wiped the sink,
hung up the dishrag and was
just making a dash for the hall
when Nom called from the porch.
Nom was ironing her husbands
shirts: you're not going out to-
night again, Nell? And tomor-
row? You're seeing far too much
of that young mani"
The girl came back, brushed
the hair from her mothers fore
head, kissed her gently: Take a
look at that moon, Nom, and be
yourself! I'll return early. Leave
the ironing. I'll do it in the
morning."
Before her mother could pro
test, she was behind the closed
door of her own room. She
rubbed sachet on her hands and
through her hair. Get the gruboy
kitchen smell out Of her skin.
She hated it.
The moment she reached the
sidewalk, Ricky Sprang from the
shadows. He caught her hand:
Lord, thought you were never
coming! Thought you couldn't
make it. Ages since I've seen you'll"
"Only SO hours, dear"
"Just So hours too long"
It was a very warm night, but
with a breeze. They entered East
End Park and strolled hand in
hand along the waters edge. Boats
glided with mysterious rhythm
down the black, cleaning river.
Nell murmured: cts SO still out
there, Ricky. AS though time were
stopped. I wish it were! And just
as we are this moment, we could
be forever"
"I'd be content. Nell, If just as
we are now, we could be tomorrow
and the next night. If could have
you with me all the time. Not
stolen hours when I have to hustle
you home before the cock crows.
But to a home with me!
She said, trembling: Can we go
on in this beautiful way, Ricky? I
mean will you always care for me
this much?"
st care more each time I see you.
When you leave a piece of my
heart goes with you."
"But everyone says 1t doesn't
last. The rapture dies. After a
while We'll take each other for
granted. Everything will be rou-
tine and commonplace"
He paused to look in her palely
glowing profile: 1.-THE rapture isn't
going to dim, Nell. We know we're
got something precious. Well work
to safeguard it.
Beauty of it is, Nell, we're
friends. There's more to it than a
physical attraction. More than
holding your hand and loving you.
I like you as a human being. ike
the Stiffness Of you, the pluck, the
gaiety and the strength.
$50 many people rush into mar
rage who are antagonistic by ma
ture. They really dislike each
others qualities. They spend their
lives trying to annihilate and
change each other.
But I took you as is Don't
want you different. You like me,
faults included. Better not get
tickle, dear! You're going to have
this man for the rest of your life"
It was radiant like this, in the
beginning-a dazzling bright flood
tide of joy. They couldn't see each
other often: their meetings had
an almost anxious poignance.
Nom raised obstacles. She said
worried: you're staying too
much with Emily. Mrs. Marsden
will object"
"No-she likes it. She thinks
It keeps EN- contented."
The week-ends were easier. Dur
ing all that happy summer, Nom,
Henry Mason and Jimmy went out
to Aunt Esther's cottage in the
New Jersey mountains each Satur-
day.
Esther was a smart woman: her
brother was a good carpenter. She
was pleased to invite him with
his wife and son, knowing Henry
would spend his entire time build !