The Washington times., 1937-10-30


NOT TO BLAME
It was after 6 when the last
patient left. Marcia had locked
her desk and put on her hat and
coat. She had her glove and
purse in her hand, for she wanted
to slip out of the office as quickly
as possible.
If Bill had forgotten all about
the dinner they were to have to-
gether, she did not wish to re-
mind him of it. The face OF
things had changed for him In
the last few hours.
Nancy Crane had returned with
the boy and this was all that mat
tered to him now. He was not to
blame. He had not even told her
he loved her. Nothing but a sin
gle kiss, a single, brief kiss.
The door to DR.. Cranes inner
office opened and the man came
out. Marcia saw that he was Wis
IDLY keyed up, buoyant. and that
he smiled at her happily.
"Why the hurry?" he asked in
surprise. "You haven't forgotten
our dinner date at 6, have you?"
IT thought you had other
plans" Marcia answered, making
fair attempt to keep her voice
cool and level.
"Well, as matter OF fact my
plans have changed some," he ad-
mitted. Something has come up
very unexpectedly. You won't be-
lieve it, Marcia, when I tell you"
he went on with eager impetuous-
ness.
"It'S unbelievable, but true. I
want you to come to my house for
dinner tonight. I've a lot to tell
you and We'll be very properly
chaperoned by a 6-year-old boy
who hasn't seen his dad for nearly
four years."
Marcia frowned. If Bill were
jesting, he was carrying it just
little too far. Why should he want
her to join in any family reunion?
IT can't go home with you, Bill"
she said finally, in a slow voice.
your wife and"
NOT HIS WIFE
"My wife!" Bill stared hard.
"She isn't my wife. Don't you re-
member I told you that once?
She never really was a wife to me,
not after the first few months.
She never cared for me.
IT just thought she did, but I
found out soon enough what she
wanted out of life, and that I
didn't play any part in her pretty
schemes. Today she came to see
me-to give me the boy!
"She doesn't want him any
more. She admits it frankly. Shes
going to be married again and in
formed me that I coul@ do bet
ter job of rearing him than she
could.
Think of it, Marcia! Think OF
what it means to me. I've never
let myself dare hope that this
could ever happen. But it's true"
"You mean she really gave up
the boy!" Marcia gasped How
could she!" :.
DR.. Crane shook his head
thoughtfully. You would have
to know Nancy to understand"
he said gravely. "She lacks most
of the warmer human emotions"
His voice changed.
But I have the boy. That's
definite. He is home now with
his nurse and I want you to come
home with me, dear. I want you
to see the youngster and be With
us at our first real reunion. You
will, won't you?"
He stopped and the next mo-
ment Marcia was in his arms.
Don't say anything now, Mar
cia-please! Just come home with
me. I love you'll need you. I
wanted to tell you last night, be-
fore all this happened.
Nov everything has changed
except that I love you, and have
loved you for a long time. No,
don't answer. Come home with
me first, and we can talk later.
Promise that you'll come"
But he didn't wait to hear
whether she promised or not. In
stead, he kissed her, and this time
the kiss was not brief.
THE EHNTn