The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-06-07
CHAPTER TX


 Pats and Don drove out the Bos- ton Post road in the late afternoon sunshine. She kept telling herself, I'm sitting beside my husband and he loves me-" but the words failed to click in her benumbed brain. She and Don were lovers; nothing counted against that. They loved and the world was lost in unthink- ing rapture.
 "You look so sweet" he said huskily. T think of you every minute of the day and you fill my dreams at night, but when I see you realize all over again how lovely you are"
 Don" The name slipped out and his hand covered hers for a moment. You can't mean that. Why-I might be anybody"
 You are my whole life now. It doesn't matter who you used to be, You see," he went on gently, T have never been in love before and I'm taking it rather hard"
 Tt can't be love-"
 Tt is love and I'm this much in earnest. Tomorrow I shall tell Patricia, and very soon, in a few days, think, I shall be free again"
 But why should you think want you to be free?"
 T only know that I must be free. I want the right to make you love me, to protect you" Every fiber in Pats being yearned toward him. Don thought she needed protection. Even with her identity shrouded in mystery he wanted her for his wife. It had all been simpler than her maddest hopes. Half inclined to tell him the truth, she hesitated.
 It seemed so flat, so ridiculous to say, T am your wife, Don" Such an anti-climax, so demand ing of a thousand explanations. A little nagging fear warned her that the perfection of the moment might be shattered by such a revelation. So she drifted on the bliSsful tide.
 They had tea before blazing fire in 8 small white cottage. Sitting Side by side on an old Duncan Fife sofa they drank tea from exquisite Spode cups. A withered, soft-spok- en gentle-woman served them. TWi- light fell and still they fingered, caught in the mystery and magic of newly awakened love. Alone in the charming room, Don took Pats in his arms.
 Darling" he breathed, T love you" And blindly she raised her lips fiereely she chung to him while the crimson world rocked and spun.
 I've kissed so many women, !" he said, half laughing, his hard lean cheek pressed close to hers. And I've really never kissed any, one before"
 Dearest, Pats whispered.
 Later, driving slowly homeward, Don said, T promised not to ask questions, but - won't you trust
 I nparting he whispered, T love
 Pats nodded dreamily. With ny llle. 1OInOrrOW-aL the COrO- net" Vaguely she wanted time in which to choose the words of her confession. Suppose his love turned to mere regard for his wife, Patricia, when he learned that he had been the victim of a bold feminine trick.
 At Pats request Don left her at the imposing entrance of the God dard Hotel. He was to see Ather- ton, his lawyer, before going home. He too, might have news on the morrow.
 I nparting he whispered, T love you, dear-tomorrow-"
 Pats quickly crossed the crowd- ed lobby. She saw man near the desk stare at her and knew he followed as she left by side en- trance. She was even half sure that his taxi followed hers as she drove out Fifth avenue. But riotous thoughts claimed her and she forgot the incident.
 After breakfast the next morn ing Don preached the subject of their marriage contract He told