Evening star., 1936-07-20

tIldI lOllS kICCA IOOAu Wl1ii 1iC SuP1NAS
dancing on the ceiling flashed through
her mind. Occasionally she found her
self wondering and pu1zling over Kitty
Cavendish and Victor Caldwell. What
was between them that had led up to
that brutal scene? Why had he struck
her?-why2 But never was there any
answer to these questions.
Lee lit a cigarette then, inhaled
deeply and without probing into what
she knew and could not tell, said:
well, at least I have one thing to be
thankful for. That you know I'm mno-
cent of attempted murder" He
thought: "God knows there's little else
to be thankful for these days. Why
couldn't Patsy have fallen in love with
Richard or Courtney Valance, or some
man who had something to offer her?
Why couldn't she have fallen in love
with any one but me-?" But even
as the thought beat against his brain
he knew that he was glad she still
loved him.
1t was not a simple thing TO stand
there talking to Lee, Patsy thought,
lust as If he we're some Indifferent
friend she had chanced upon on the
street. For all her forced outward
calmness her heart was beating wildly
and once or twice she had caught the
breath in her throat with a short, ST.
lent gasp.
She said then. looking straight into
his eyes, Lee, isn't there q way out
for us?" know there's Kitty, who
refuses to divorce you. But surely there
must be some way"
There isn't, Patsy. There's no way
at all! You know love you too much
to ever let you :" Suddenly he
caught her shoulders In his hands and
held her steady before him, looking
deep into her blue eyes. Look here,
Patsy, before I'd let you throw your
self away on q failure like me, before
I'd let you mutilate your life, It'd
resort to anythingl If can't love you
beautifully and definitely and forever
as you deserve to be loved, if can't
give you everything I've dreamed OF
giving you-an honorable name"
But Lee, you're distorting facts
you're not a failure-your name is
Honorable
Lee forced himself to smile at her
But when he spoke his voice was torn
with harsh emotion. you're brave
aren't you, Patsy? Brave enough to
JaIyboro taIxy urrocl> vo11r life tn dafu
the world-for me-but, oh. my darl-
ing, how I love you for that foolish
bravery. Still-were not-for each
other-Patsy." His voice broke and
he dropped his hands from her shoul-
ders and there were those ridiculous
tears in his eyes again.
A terribly young and hurt smile
f1ickered across her mouth. She said
falteringly: lee, I'd like you to kiss
me-good- by. 1t might be such long
time before you and I meet again"
For a moment he looked as If hi
wasn't going to, as If he didn't trus1
himself to touch her. But when she
stood there, tipped up on her toes
waiting, he leaned forward and kissed
her lips. Then she was gone.
He watched her reach the end o.
the block, saw her stop and turn anC
| look back once, watched her until she
disappeared out of sight around the
corner. Then he sank to the bench
and buried his blond head IN his trem'
bling fingers and wondered II he wert
a fool to cling to hope.
That night Patsy lay awake in he
bed and finally saw the exquisite nacrl
of the encroaching dawn, the pitilesl
sun come up. She remembered tina
once she had hurried out to meet 1t
eager for anything the day nigh
bring
But this morning she got up list
lessly. The hands that performed auto
and the heart that beat so slowly II
her breast was heavy, too. After break
fast she got her car and drove aim
leSsly. She did not know that she wa
instincttvely seeking the comfort o
home that had charmed away SO man!
of her childhood disappointments.
Did not know until she looked W
and saw a sign stating the'number o
miles to Baltimore. With a little sol
she stepped on the accelerator and
not once thinking Of returning for he
clothes-headed for Annapolis. Head
ed for Annapolis with purpose which
she believed was born Of sheer inspira
ton. Yet it was a purpose that woult
bring her more heartaches than shoult
ever be crowded into one life.
To Be Continued.