The Coolidge examiner., 1937-05-06
CHAPTER VII-Cont,nued

ming that Cecily should be friendly
and charming, interested in him,
candidly admiring and sympathetic.
Il think it was fire of you to
nave worked here for u.s." she said
warmly. 1T must have been aw-
fully difficult. How have you en-
dured US? You are-rather splendid.
jim"
That's the result I've been striv-
ing for" Jim laughed self-mocking-
". II wanted to make myself sound
splendid" Self-importance. Conceit.
See what fine fellow ami"
You are," she said. Father
thinks so, too. He's always holding
you up as shining example to
Tommy"
"Examplei" Jim produced an ex-
aggerated groan.
But why not?" she asked, with
the gentle gravity more disturbing
than banter and gaiety. "We-our
genera tion-think it's smart to ridi-
cule courage and honesty. You do
it And so do I. I think It's be-
cause we realize how important
they are and are terrified for fear
they've gone out of the world. Jerry
doesn't believe that" She sat very
quietly. now, her hands folded in
her lap. He"
Jim moved restlessly. The rosy
glow dimmed a little.
Must you talk about him?" he
asked.
You don't mind. really, do you?"
She glanced up at him quickly,
questioningly.
He had sounded surly. Jim hast
ened to make amends.
1T isn't complimentary, is it. to
sit in a summer-house with one
young man and talk about anoth-
err"
But it is a compliment" she as
sured him .'I never talk about Jer-
ry to anyone. l can to you-since ce
the other night. That's strange, isn't
it, when we started out loathing
each other. 1t means so much to
me to have someone to talk to. I've
felt so-alone. Please let me talk
about Jerry"
She was not dramatizing herself.
The emotion she felt was sincere.
II don't mind" Jim said. Talk
away"
His voice was sympathetic but his
thoughts we're rebels marching with
bayonets fixed. This was his role,
he told himself through the soft ca
dences of Cecily's voice. confidante,
extra man, guardian angel to the
Vaughns. 1t was a role to which he
was totally unaccustomed. Not that
it mattered-
But it did matter. He resented
Cecily talking with complete alb
sorption of Jerry Clyde, of his child
hood and early youth in a small
middle-west city. of his family Sc
unappreciative of Jerry's talent.
Jerry isn't perfect" she said
But his weaknesses are the faul
of temperament and not of char
acter. Women spoil him because ht
is beautiful-yes, beautiful" sh.
said softly defiant. He has no il
lusions about life. He says h,
doesn't believe in anything-excep
me. That makes me so proud
could burst. And humble, too," sh,
a6ded. I'm not all that he think
me. I'm afraid that sometime II
disappoint him"
"Cecily!" Her name, pronouncet
with low vehemence by Jim, wa
a warning. caution. She inter
preted it as ridicule.
Il know you think I'm young ant
idealistic," she said, again on ;
note of soft defiarce. But I don
love Jerry blindly-if that will max,
you feel more comfortable. Any
way" Her voice was not quite
steady. I'D rather be deSper
ately unhappy with Jerry than"
happy with somebody else,
Jim concluded not without mock
cry.
That's popular song. isn't it
was sure it had been said before
There is truth in banalities, though
because they are the expression O
universal emotions. That isn't orig
inal. | heard it-Oh dear!" Sh
sneezed.
You're catching a cold" jim
rose, took her hands, pulled he
from the bench. TO bed with you
young lady"
''Old nursiei"
Guardian angel" Jim amended
He put on his coat. They walked
In silence, through darkness
through the heavy fragrance Q
night blooming stock toward tn
house. On the side veranda, unde
the roof of vines, she held him TO
a moment, her hand touching hi
arm.
You will ask Father to let Jerr
come for a visit, won't you?" sh
asked with whispered intensity.
Against my better Judgment"
In the light coming out from tn
hal, her face was vivid with fee
ing.
But how can you judge" sh
sald. You don't know Jerry. F;