The Coolidge examiner., 1937-05-13

mon. They can never touch, can
have no point of contact. Don't you
see?"
Never" She echoed the word
wistfully, forlornly.
ITS hardly possible" he said.
Not for years, at least. I must go
on from the start I've made.
have no choice"
"You have!" Her voice was low
and intense. Il have enough for
both of us. Why can't you share it
with me? If you love me enough"
There can be no love without re-
spect. I'm saying this badly, per-
haps. 1 wouldn't be myself if let
you support me. You'd hate me.
I'm so fond of you. You've been
swell to me. But I won't let you
be my meal-ticket-now or ever"
Her eyebrows lifted. Her lips
curved crookedly.
Didn't you ever consider it-as
last resort?" she asked with stud
led penetration.
YES" he said. Last winter.
This spring. Early in June-the
day I came here"
Her expression softened.
why didn't you?" she asked
,reathlessly. What happened,
Jim?"
He gave a short laugh, sheepish,
5elf-mocking.
Il missed the train," he an
swered. Il was hungry. I ate sand
| Niches in a drugstore"
"Jim!"
''It is amazing, isn't it? Trifles
which seem of no importance de-
eide our destiny. For the want of
a nail a kingdom was lost If I
hadn't missed the train, something
else would probably have happened.
couldn't have gone through with
it." He bent toward her across the
table. do you understand" he
asked gravely, gently. ''It had moth
ing to do with you or my feeling
for you. l was the only one con-
cerned. Do you see?"
He had not convinced her of any
thing. The anger in her eyes told
him that. the crooked curve of her
full red lips. She drew her hands
from his, sat erect in her chair.
"Words!" she said with a brittle
laugh. You talk we'll and per-
| suasively. Mr.. Fielding. Your frank
ness is disarming. But I'm not an
utter and abject fool. l know"
Her change Of attitude surprised
him.
Know what?" he said hesitantly.
You're in love with the Vaughn
girl, l knew that when l saw you
together this afternoon. You might
have spared yourself the outburst
of eloquence. Not a bad idea. She
pretty-and young. The estate in
| dicates a certain degree of COM
| Portable affluence." She lifted her
glass with a laugh that was like a
sob. Here's to a successful cam
paign."
Jim's evening clothes, freshly
pressed, lay on the bed in his room
in the cottage.
He was going to Cecily's party, a
party for the Patton girl who was
to be married in September. He
had been amazed when Cecily asked
him, as a special favor, to help her
out. One of the prospective ushers
had somehow or somewhere become
involved with bed of poison ivy.
She would be a man short, that pc
rennial tragedy to a hostess. Jim
could avert the tragedy. Wouldn't
he? Couldn't he?
Jim could and would when Mr.
Vaughn had approved the invitation.
Mingled, tonight, with apprehen-
sion and the diffidence induced by
recalling his former position in the
household was a growing sense of
elation. He was going to dance
with Cecily. Tomorrow he might
regret it. Tomorrow? There was
no tomorrow. There was only to-
night. Condemned prisoners must
feel like this, he thought, when they
enjoyed a last hearty meal of chick
en- and ice-cream before they were
led to the electric chair.
Suspenders, collar, narrow
black tie. Jim Whistled as he fash
ioned the tie into an expert bow.
as he brushed his hair to shining
smoothneSS, as he slipped on the
jacket.
He went downstairs. MacPher-
son glanced up over his paper.
"Bonny Prince jamie" he said ad-
miringly. You're a sight to fiut-
ter the hearts of the ladies'" and
Mrs. Macpherson beamed with ma.
ternal pride.
The night was still and clear
There would be a moon later, very
late, an apricot August moon. jim
walked through the garden, along
the drive, up to the familiar side
veranda. The house looked very
gay.
He was early. The guests had mo-
yet begun to arrive. The orches
ira, five dapper young negroes ir
tuxedos, was grouped about the pi
ano in the hall In the dining-roon