The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-11-24

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gave them the wedding story"
1t all sounded so inadequate.
Then it's all truce"
Yes, Karen"
why didn't you tell me before?"
L tried. I couldn't"
She struggled out of his arms.
Standing there before him, Karen
had never looked less lovely. Her
eyes were swollen with weeping,
her hair tousled. But never had
Dick loved her so much.
I'll CO." she said.
CHAPTER XVII
II can't let you'll" Dick was
beside her, holding her close. 1T
isn't fair! can't do it! I knew
that all along, Karen. That's why
I didn't tell YOU"
He kissed her so that she could
not answer.
Come, sit down here for little.
I want to talk to you" He threw
some more wood on the fire.
Sitting there, Dick tried to ex-
plain how things we're. I've tried
to explain how things were. I've
been engaged to Marcia since I
got out of law school. I've known
her and her family for years.
She's grand person."
Dick stopped. 1t all sounded
so disloyal, so like cad. But what
could he do?
Then you came along and you
were so untamed and reckless and
lovely. He kissed her hand gently
now and then as he talked.
I've tried to think Of ways and
means. I've tried to break it off
with Marcia. I'm afraid Of your
money, of your beauty, of the
people you know"
Not any more, Dick?" Karen
was pleading.
Eyes! But I love you. Nothing
can change that"
So they talked for more than
an hour Sometimes Karen wept
in his arms, sometimes it was she
who comforted him.
Il haven't had a decent nights
rest in weeks, Karen. I've been
frantic"
Il won't give you up. 1t isn't
right! She won't want you if she
knows you love mel"
And she still wants your"
She knoWS-noW."
And she still wants you?"
Karen'S voice was hating. Sud.
denly she knew she'd want Dick,
even If he did not love her. That's
the way women are, she thought
with a Shiver. And men, too, She
added, as she remembered Ping,
Poor Ping. Shed been cruel to
him.
Karen had wept until she was
exhausted. They sat silent for a
long time and her head slipped
forward on his breast. She was
asleep. He lifted her gently and
laid her down on the davenport
and covered her with a blanket,
Then he brought chair and sat
down beside her. AS he watched
her tear-streaked face he remem.
oered that other night she had
been there.
Oh, if she had never come at
all! No, that was not true. He
was glad. But what was he to
A VISITOR
lie got up and walked I'D and
Gown the floor. He stopped to
look down at Karen's restless
sIumber. Let her sleep a little,
AT least then she could forget!
The doorbell sounded loudly
through the apartment.
Karen stirred, but she did not
open her eyes. He walked into the
foyer and opened the door. A
man stood there, his hat pulled
down over his eyes. Dick backed
up a little, tried to get the chain
on the door, but he was too late.
The man pushed his way in.
I want my daughter, where il
She?" he said in a low voice. His
eyes blazed.
BE quiet. She's here-asleep."
Mallory brushed Dick aside and
strobe into the living room, His
eyes fell on Karen, sleeping by the
fire. He stopped. whirled on Dick,
I ought to shoot you down."
Dick did not answer, but he
noticed that Mallory kept his hand
in his pocket.
She has had trouble enough al.
ready wit out adding that"
Dicks voice was firm. He was not
afraid. At that moment, in fact.
ne did not care what happened to
him.
Mallory walked toward Karen.
He saw her tear-Stained face, her
swollen cheeks. He rubbed his
hands over his face, turned toward
the younger man: why couldn't
you let her alone?" he smanded,
but he kept his voice low, so as
not to awaken the sleeping girl.
Dick did not answer the mans
question.
Shes exhausted. thought I'd
let her sleep a little before I
brought her home"
/ The girl stirred. Dick came to
her quickly. He put his hand on
hers and spoke to her. His voice
was tender: Karen, dear, wake
up. Your father has come to take
you home"
"Father?" Karen sat UP sud-
denly. Dick, leaning over her, put
his arm around her and held her.
Hes here, now, dear"
"Oh. Daddy" Tears sprang to
her eyes. But she chung to Dick.