The Coolidge examiner., 1937-05-27

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My one accomplishment"
The waiter brought tall glasses.
Cecily took a few sips and set her
glass aside.
ITS Jerry" she said, after a
moment.
You astonish me- he said. II
thought it was the new issue of
government bonds"
She smiled family. ''Do you mind
if I talk about Jerry?" she asked.
Il mean-after the night we danced
Will it hurt you, Jim?"
THAT isn't important"
II think it is" She glanced up
at him f1eetingly, looked down at
her fingers swapping the purple and
scarlet pod.
Jim bent toward her across the
table.
"Cecily," he asked gravely, Twill
you try not to think Of what hap
pened that night? You can't entire
ly, suppose. Neither, of course,
can I. But don't let it spoil our
well, friendship, for want of more
adequate word. Anything that can
say will make me sound self-sacri-
ficing and noble. don't feel espe-
cially noble. It's really selfishness,
perhaps. want you to talk to me-"
The smile vanished. Her express
sion was weary again. I've had
an exhausting day. I've been trying
to make Jerry see that he should 60
with the Cherry Hollow company on
their tour this fall. You see I've
talked to Father. He can't put
money into a play for Jerry now.
He explained it all to me. I had no
idea how much he's lost during the
depression. But I'm afraid Jerry
won't understand. He'll think it's
prejudice or something. And I'm
afraid he has talked about Father
backing play for him."
Jim knew that her apprehension
was correct. Jeremy had talked.
The conversation he had overheard
in the theater made him aware of
that. He waited in silence for Geo
lily to continue.
II don't like the idea of not see
ing Jerry all fall and half the win
ter" she went on. 'T'll miss him
awfully. But think it's a splendid
opportunity. The company has a
certain amount of prestige. Wesley
North is an excellent director. The
experience would be valuable"
Jerry doesn't like road trips?"
Jim asked.
For an instant her eyes flashed
with indignation.
What if he doesn't?" she said
sharply. II don't suppose you real
ly liked picking beans and chang
ing tires!"
Jim was surprised and touched.
He felt and controlled a feeling of
elation.
but haven't artistic tempera-
ment," he said lightly.
Jerry has, of course" The in
dignation was gone. Her eyes held
brooding expression. He's either
flying among the stars or sunk in
the depths of gloom. He acts, at
times, like spoiled little boy" A
note of affectionate indulgence in
her voice softened the criticism.
And l do nag him." she added.
"Nag!" Jim disposed of the ugly
word. You couldn't nag anybody"
i do she said thoughtfully. Il
can't seem to help nagging even
when l know it irritates him. l
want him to Go the fine things of
which he is capable. l love him and
believe in him. Jerry doesn't like
spurs. He doesn't get on very we'll
| with Wesley North because Mr..
| North digs the spurs in, too. Jer-
rvs been so accustomed to praise
| and f1attery. I'm just finding that
out. You see, I've never been with
him So" She broke off with rue
full smile and quick glance at
Jim. That was Fathers idea, of
course. He thought if l knew Jer-
ry better"
Your idea," Jim reminded her.
feeling again, for moment. that
lifting elation.
Il know" She sighed. I'm max
ing mountains out of mole-hills to-
night. I'm making you think that
Jerry is petty and selfish and un-
! reasonable. He is, at times. Who
isn't? But he's splendid, too I'm
tired and disappointed and a little
exasperated. 1 was, 1 mean. feel
better now" She breathed deeply.
smiled across the table at Jim.
Thank you," she said.
Il haven't done anything"
you've let me talk. I can talk
to you. Do you remember when we
hated each other?"
Il can just barely remember"
Jim smiled.
You hated me longer than 1
hated you" Her eyes were soft and
bright with amusing memories.
You're disconcerting young
lady"
You aren't sorry, are your" The
laughing lights died out of her eyes.
What happened the evening we
danced hasn't made you regret be-
] ing at 'Meadowbrook'? We're all so