The Washington times., 1937-03-19

solve that situation, that situation
will possess me. I'll never be able
to get free, to be sure what I think
about you, for instance. I've been
so passive all my life, always wait
ing for what happened next: Tor
Keith to tell his father he wanted
to marry me (to tell me, even at
that stage); for some one to do
something about Fathers bank
ruptcy CFelicia made you do some
thing about it, quickly enough) !;
for the year I promised you to be
ended so that I could be free
again-for what, I don't know.
To wait for the next thing to hap
pen. I suppose!
when you go home, shall wait,
inconsistently, for your return"
He was at once interested, and
startled. He had not supposed she
could so accurately diagnose her
chief trouble. He searched for
words that would be as honest as
hers, and yet comfort her bitter
dissatisfaction.
"Since the first time I met your
mother, Denise, I've thought her
once of the most charming women
I ever saw. She's so gentle, so
serene. Yet 1t could be said that
she spent her whole life waiting
for what happened next, for what
ever good fortune, or bad, her hus-
bands management of affairs S
brought her, for whatever oppor-
tunity she had to be helpful and
encouraging to her children. It's
legitimate pattern for a woman's
life, after all. Not all women have
to be forceful."
THE ones who aren't, are pretty
much at the mercy of the ones
who are"
"You don't have to be at any
ones mercy, Denise, while I live
if you choose to let me look after
you. You were only so very much
at the mercy Of Felicia and Keith,
because you refused to go on to
your own next chapter"
CHAPTER XXI
mot at the beginning Of our
marriage, Gilbert, but very often
recently, I've wanted to love you
enough - enought-" Her words
trailed off.
You'll never love me at all,
dearest, while you cling to an cpl
sode in your life that's finished.
When you admit it finished, you
can go on"
She said to the stars, to the
darkness fragrant of jasmine:
How can one be sure Of what's
finished and what's not?"
Something snapped in the iron
of his self-control. He said aloud
1--WE sometimes considered my re.
straint slightly admirable. More
often I've realized it was extraor
dinary, at least. Now think it's
been insane. It hasn't helped you,
and it's made me miserable
Denise, will you be my wife from
now until I sail in July?"
Her yes" was as uncertain q
word as he had ever heard her
speak; and he had heard her de
llghtful low voice utter many un
certain words. But this time he
swept past its hesitation.
He was halfway across the At
lantic, on his passage home alone
in July, before he was willing tt
admit to himself that he hac
failed, that he had not been able
to make her forget in his arm.
that she did not love him.
She had said good-by, under thu
eyes Of her family (and Felicia!
eyes derisiVe enough), affection
ately enough. She had q kind O.
affection for him. She might mis-.
him even. But desire him, or low
him, she did not. She loved tha'
man who'd treated her badly, anc
was treating Felicia badly too, ap
parently-elSe why wasn't he tax
ing charge Of a situation growing
more impossible by the hour.
He thought, II don't want an un
willing wife" Yet he did want De
Mise, and always would.
Ito be cOntinued)