Evening star., 1937-01-03
Mosoxins Section

knew also that up to this moment there had
been, like steadily glowing lamp in win :
dow, the reassuring thought that he could fall
back, could retreat into safety.
For the first time Wallace felt guilty, Bit
terly guilty toward Sherry. Driven by his
guilt. he stopped in a drug store and called
her on the telephone.
He said. Sherry. must seeyou tomorrow"
After pause. while the lines of his face tight
ened. Then next day?"
When he left the drug store his mind was
racing with thoughts of Sherry - Sherry in
love, Sherry lost to him, Sherry who could find
no time for him.
Between his eyes and the people moving
slowly past him intruded images of Sherry, of
ELISA Charming, vague sensitive images as of
forms without substance, but poignantly
moving - and as his heart stirred within him.
Wallace realized that he was seeing Sherry
and ELISA Charming as they moved in the
stuff of his own mind, his own emotions.
That was it. Blind that he was. Sherry and
ELISA Claiming had been up to this time only
figures against panorama of space and time.
He. who had prided himself on his freedom
from the taunts and stings of emotion, he had
been slave. For he had closed his inward eye,
had suppressed in himself that deep intuitive
judgment on which other men depend.
Then his mind snapped, and he stood still.
Perhaps there was still time to-
But must he come cringng back to her now
to cut sharply through her loyalties with the
knife he knew he could WELD? Sherry would
have her divorce; there would be someone else
with whom she would find -
He drew a deep breath and his pulse began
to pound. He would act. He would act on that
deep intuitive judgment that he had sup
pressed 50 long. He was through with reason
ing out his behavior, through with the careful
calm rationalizing that had brought him to
this.
1t took him two hectic precious hours to
find ELISA, and when he did find her, he
despaired OF seeing her alone for they would
not let her go. chatting him, nnaddening him.
At last he seized her arm, and drew her
laughing into room and locked the door.
He said, I'm going back to Sherry. Eliss,"
and his throat and tongue were dry, his heart
leaden at the look that drove brightness from
her eyes, He said wretchedly. i've always
been so sure that what did after thinking.
analyzing, weighing, would leave me strong
and impassive before what people call regret
and grief. I've always felt that Sherry was
less rational person than l. and suppose I've
= I've pitied her."
And now you feel sorry for her. Wallie?"
ELISA asked, her voice as still as crouching
doe.
He choked. mot sory Not sorry! En-
vious hate myself for what I've done to her.
for what I'm doing to YOU"
you told me you loved me-
He said, sitting II love you. God help you. :.
perhaps you love me. III love you all my life.
but" He drew breath, walked away from
her, wheeled, his hands outstretched, love is
50 many complex things surging tantalizing
things in your body. upsetting things in your
mind. pride and hope and fear and dust and
malice. But peace is whole and simple" His
voice shook. You'd not have peace with me,
Eliss. For know how this would gnaw at me,
making me petty and demanding - hating
your career that takes 50 much of you and
leaves 50 little for me-"
When he could speak again, he said calmer,
For it is little, Eliss. dear Your career is your
life, and people around you praising you,
petting you, feeding an appetite you can no
more starye than an artist his ewes of genius