The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-07-21

family, as that morning dad had
suggested, was hit, too. That be-
ing so, they had brought pressure
to bear on Brock, maybe, urging
a wealthy marriage on him In
preference to marrying a girl
whose family had lost their
money. The Milbanks, ST., were
worldly people, who had long
since lost the idealism Of youth.
But whatever the reason, moth
ing made it bearable. On this,
her birthday, her whole, safe,
happy world was in smithereens!
CHAPTER v
Here we are, miss" said the
taxi driver, drawing up along the
nous Embarcadero. Here's
Fisherman's Wharf"
Here she had come often, with
Brock Milbank. Giggling like two
children, they had consumed end
less rosy shrimpS from the shell at
the quaint open-air stands. This
Old World place had intrigued
them, and they had often stolen
from parties to visit the water
front and chat with the quaint
fiSherfolk in wooden tams and
baggy trousers and long rubber
boots smelling overpoweringly Of
the days catch.
Mechanically, Toni paid the
driver and, as in a bad dream,
wandered by the waters edge.
If she could only hide forever!
Board one of those weatherbeaten
windjammers, or preferably a
great freighter set for foreign
ports, far, far from San Fran
cisco! Never to return!
Or, better still, slip into the cold
water, down into eternal oblivion!
Even now they were bandying
he1 name, discussing her in the
clubs and smart meeting places
from here to Santa Barbara and
back again! There was contempt
in peoples pity for girl who had
been Tilted. A psychological, cruel
twist in peoples minds that dug
out reasons for the breaking Of en-
gagementS. The woman got the
blame. It was her fault. She
couldn't hold her man!
Seating herself on a bench near
the water, Toni stared with dim
eyes out over the busy harbor. A
niche for everyone in the world
but Toni Goddard! GullS swooped
down and walled about her, like
banShees moaning the utter DESC
lation Of Illustration and lost love.
In a panorama, the whole course
Of Brooks courtship Of her passed
before her mind. She had taken
his love so for granted. Trusted
him completely.
Now this horrible ending! Brock
and JeSsica! It. was too fantastic.
It was a bad dream. She, Toni
Goddard, couldn't have had this
happen to her.
The woman had followed him to
Santa Barbara. Last night in
weighed him out on a party. Got
him drinking. Deliberately, and
knowing his weakness, planned his
befuddlement. Like so many men
of the rich, leisured set, Brock was
apt to take too much. JesSica, the
INSCRIPTIONS, had traded on it.
But, in the printed report, there
was no hint Of an all-night rev.
elry preceding the marriage.
"Ihe most beautiful bride Of the
season."
Brock wore a smile that looked
as II it would never come Off"
These were knife turns in the
wound!
Over her heart, her pride, they
had stepped to their happiness!
They would make their home in
San Francisco! She would be com.
PEELED to meet them! So-called
friends would take malicious pleas
TIRE in the situation. Some might
pity. Others sheer at the girl who
couldn't hold her man. Tribute
went to the strong. Jessica, the
bride. would be feted everywhere.
Helpless tears ran down her
cheeks. so that the harbor waters
blurred, and an old fisherman who
was mending his net near by
seemed like a phantom.
TIMES MIG THERE'S ALWAYS
OMORROW- -
Time passed. She didn't move.
She was numb. robbed Of von-
ton.
What did one do when the
SAVIOR Of life had gone forever?
Make the gestures? Garry on.
The old saws about pride help
ing one were stupid and futile!
What was pride in comparison
to love? What did one do when
love failed one? Hide ones
head? Crawl into a dark corner,
like some wounded animal?
Ito Be COntinued)
fCopyrfKf& 1897. by King FaaturAa