Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1937-07-05
CHAPTER SO
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CHAPTER SO
SANDY hurried the hysterlca
Paula from the dangerous cliff anc
seated her safely in the car, before
he turned to her gently.
Paula DEAR" he began, II don't
want to hurt you. But 1 really
think you've said some things you
can't mean. You're tired and up
set, and maybe we've been work
ing you too hard lately. Just be-
cause I'm continually under your
feet is no reason for you to fall in
love with me-"
The man talked softly, as if to
a very little child. Paula was at
first incredulous, then bitterly
angry, for she had interpreted his
remark by the sea to be a joyful
admission of his love.
I'm in love with Marcia" he
explained further. Guess 1 al
ways will be. We argue back and
forth, and get in some funny mis-
understandings, but underneath it
all-Well, underneath it there is
always love!"
"But Hartley, and now this pub
Usher, Garrett Warren? How do
you know they don't mean any
thing" she tried to inject some
doubt into his mind.
I'm through with being jealous,
and I think I'm through with
something else" he said positive
~, for in the light of Paula's un-
solicited declaration, he had dis
covered a startling new truth.
When he saw how easily this girl
would cast aside her work and her
ideals just to get man, he uncon-
sciously approved Marcia's gallant
bravery in standing up for what
she thought was right!
Suddenly he realized that he
must love Marcia for the very
things he was trying to change in
her: her steadfast idealism of his
cherished profession, her comrade-
ship and understanding of all he
did, and her dear foolish ambi-
ItionS. If she were: to lose all this,
she would not be the same mad
Marcia with whom he fell in love!
With this decision sweeping all
else before it, he determined to
rush to Marcia and persuade her
to marry him on any terms. All
jealousy of Hartley was swept into
the discard, as common sense told
him she could neither care for him
nor be involved in any way with
such an INSCRIPTIONS chap.
His mind made up, he turned
sympathetically to Paula. The
girl was now crying brokenly,
furious with Sandy for his cold
ness, and embarrassed that she
had made such a fool of herself.
Nothing Sandy. could say seemed
to ease the situation, and he
lapsed into silence. It would gain
him nothing to admit his blame in
the whole matter, for If Paula ever
guessed he had. been deliberately
taking her places to arouse Mar
cia's jealousy, there was no telling
what her vengeance might lead
her to do. She was child of in
tense emotions, as her outbreak
that evening had proved.
When they finally reached the
girls club where she had made her
headquarters, Sandy turned again
to Paula. He put his hand on her
shoulder and told her, II wouldn't
have had this happen for the
world, Paula. You've been such a
soldier at the Office, and I am so
genuinely proud Of your work.
You are not going to let this inter-
fere with that are you?"
Paula's eyes were still filed with
tears, her mouth trembling. With
mixed emotions she said, not look
ing at him, ct couldn't work in the
same Office with you after all this.
I'd be too ashamed"
She had been so confident that
her generous love would outweigh
the uncertain Marcia's that she
was still stunned by the blow of
his denial. Her first dramatic in
clination was to flee from his Office
and from the city, but then COM
mon sense showed this plan to be
foolhardy. No one but Sandy knew
of her shame, and surely he would
not tell. Suddenly, the thought of
leaving the field clear for Marcia
became unbearable, and she de-
cided to brave anything.
Maybe 1 could go away, just for
a while ?" she suggested tentative