The Washington times., 1937-03-29

Through the sunlit days, the
fragrant evenings, Denise moved
with a kind of breathlessness. All
very we'll to decide to have what
one wanted, and not think Of other
people. Shed known since she
walked down that staircase, saw
Keith smiling up At her. that what
she wanted was Keith's arms
around her, and the whole year
blotted out. But-his handsome
face was SCARED and would be al
ways: FeliCia's bright beauty was
dimmed, grown less young. Keith
Sheldie had gone from Denise to
her sister. Denise Rendale had
gone from Keith to her husband.
Perhaps. even with his arms
round her, they could not long pre-
tend that they were as they used
to be, as young, care-free, newly
in love.
She made no gesture of love to
him. nor he to her. In the morn
ings. he painted her portrait, with
Felicia a rather bored audience to
the painting. In the afternoons
they three walked or swan, or
went for long drives, or lay on the
sand and chartered politely, like
we'll behaved guests on a long
house.party.
Once Felicia said to her: You're
very generous to us with you COM
pany. Denise"
She answered: Il thought you
wanted to be thoroughly Chaper-
oned for a change"
She was sorry for that sharp
speech, but when she turned to
tell Felicia she was sorry, Felicia
was gone.
Denise had a cable from Gilbert,
saying that he was on his way to
New York, and would sail on the
first fast ship he could get. But
what would she say to him?"
Some days after that cable, she
came back from driving her
mother to the London train for a
days shopping, to find Felicia in
the hall waiting for her.
They telephoned another cable
from Gilbert. He's sailing on the
Normarrie. I copied it down for
you"
odd" said Denise; che likes
English ships best, usually"
Il suppose this was the most
convenient sailing"
Denise was reading the scribbled
message: Sailing Normarrie ar
rive Southampton Thursday all
love-"
So in six days we would ar
rive!
Felicia quoted: $50 make the
most of what ye yet may spend
=" Denise looked at her. Some
thing scornful in Felicia's white
face!
There we're six days, five days
four days, three days left; anc
nothing was resolved in Denise's
heart. Two days before the Nor
marie was scheduled to dock
Felicia said at breakfast: Think
I'll go to London tomorrow. and
leave Keith and Denise to amuSe
each other"
I'm going up with your
mother" her father said. We'll
all take the same train"
mo, if you don't mind, father,
I'd like to start at sunrise and
drive. 1t would be fun to see
the country"
Such long drive!" Sara Ren,
dale protested.
We'll. I may stay in town over.
night
But then you may not be here
for Gilbert's arrival"
Hes not coming to see me, "
Felicia said dryly.
On Wednesday morning she
did start a little before sunrise,
but for Southampton. True that
the Normarrie docked Thursday,
but Gilbert was abroad the Mer-
ritaria She had changed the
message on a sudden angry i'm
pulse when she copied it down.
Denise had been too interfering !!
She would get even by interfer-
ing a little herself.
Occasionally during the inter
val between changing that mes
sage, and waiting for the Mer-
ritarla's arrival, what she had
done troubled her. Perhaps Gill
bert would wireless as he neared
England. But she could Just say
she'd mistaken the original cable,
and no harm done. But he did
mt h fn yr,i1.o1oce
Keith finished Denise's portrait
that week. 1t was a charming
thing. They both seemed very
pleased about lt-and Felicia'S s
determination hardened watch
ing them. They made it plain
enough she was less important
to either of them than they were
to each other.
Well, when Gilbert came, they
should see!
Mr.. and Mrs. Rendale left for
London shortly after breakfast.
We'll be home on the ten o'clock
train tonight, Denise" her mother
said. But Cont wait up for us
unless you want. Your have to
make such an early start tomor.
row to meet dear Gilbert"
Yes" Denise said. Then they
were gone, and she and Keith
had one day left to spend
together.
(On the road to Southampton,
Felicia was thinking: "Todays
all the time they have. That
itself will bring to crisis what.
ever-oh, whatever I perhaps
stupidity imagine" Yet she could
not have imagined that special
glance they exchanged, when
ever they thought she was not