The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-04-22
AFRAID u lN
4 1857
by MARION WHITE
CAST OF CHARACTERS

BOB ANDREWS, Hendry's ju-
Nor partner and Joan's hanee.
SYBiL HENDRY. soeiali.e,
John Hendry's niece and Joans
rival in love.
PHILIP HENDRY. Sybil's
brother.
DOROTHY STARKE, Joan's
Kirlhood friend.
CHARLES NORTON. CaEfOr-
MIA mining promoter.
Yesterday: Sybil reveals her
jealousy of Joan and her fear that
Bob will marry this designing
doll-faced photographer.
CHAPTER Ii
The boys in the orchestra pick
ed up their tiny megaphOnes and
harmonized the chorus OF their
song. Lights, for the moment,
were Scductivcly dimmcd. The
wildly spirited tone OF the music
gradually became tender. Uncon-
SciouS!y, the younger dancers
dressed their checks little clos
or. the older men frightened their
hold about matrUnly waists. BOD
Andrews. Skirting the edge of the
floor, Unanswered his partner
through an archcd doorway onto
quiet side porch.
There he said with SatlSiac-
ton, ITS good to get out OF that
din
"The music is perfect, Bob,
Joan corrected.
Maybe so. But | was crazy to
bring you here tonight"
His eyes worShipcd the clear
cut profile OF her face, the proud
lift of her chin, and his heart
uuiekened TO this chance OF beng
alone.
Joan raised her eyebrows IN
mild surprise. WHY" she asked
smiling up at him. Don't your
neighbors like me-"
Like you They walked over
20 the porch railing. Below them
on the terrace, the evergreens;
festooned with gay red ana
green and yellow lanterns, gleam-
ed brightly, and the reflection
of the lights lent a glow OF color
ful enchantment TO the porch.
Like youp Bob repeated,
linking her arm more tightly IN
his Every man in the place IS
ready TO eat me alive for keeping
YOU TO myself this way"
Still looking down at her, ne
caught the beauty of that mo-
ment mirrored in her wide blue
eyes. -,
"Joan, darling" he said with
infinite tenderness, do you know
that you're the loveliest girl IN
all the world" -
"No. But know that I'm the
happiest-tonight." She smiled
wiStfully. ..
"Won't you share il. my dear
Joan dropped her eyes under
his intense gaze, ..-
81 could be the happicSt man
in the world tonight" he went
on. "You could make me, Joan.
When she did look up, there
were tears glistening on her eye
lasheS.
"Bob, my dear! It's SO impos-
sible-So utterly
Impossible to love met
She started, and, for one BRIEF
instant, he read the answer IN
her eyes. Then his arms were
about her, his lips seeking hers.
AT first she struggled against him.
then slowly, in resignation TO a
force stronger than her Will, she
gave herself up to the full ecstasy
of his embrace.
Inside, the music struck live
lier note; the dancing became
more spirited; voices were raised
i'm q babbling confusion. But here
on the tiny porch, there were only
two people in all the world; two
who had Just discovered the an
swer to the everlasting mystery
Of life.
After 4 moment, he released
her. She drew back, frightened
at herself, and caught her breath
sharply. Her eyes, rs she looked
up at him, were wide and fearful.
"You do love me. Joan. Don't
try TO deny it,
"Oh, Bob, please listen to me.
can't love you. mustn't. Won't
you understand? ! couldn't ever
make you happy
lie shook his head, contradict
pV har words He smiled iOyfully
down at her.
"You have made me happy. my
darling. I'm the happicSt man IN
the world. rs | told you | would
be. I'm going 10 marry you, Joan.
Do YOU hear me? I'm not asking
YOU TO marry me . I've done
that too often. I'm telling you,
now. I'm going 10 marry you.
The music stopped abruptly.
For brief second there was
GREATNESS stiffness. Then, from
far above them. the clock in the
Steeple of the Inn struck one.
Joan slipped out of Bob,S
arms: she held him off at arms
length aS she spoke to him.
Bob" she said chokingly,
"I'm being caught in some magic
spell. mustn't let it overcome
ME. | cannot marry you. No mat
ter how we feel"
"You mean there's someone
else. Joan? Someone you've al
ready married?Y-rJr .a..-.
J..No.. There's no one else. It's
not as easy as that"
"Then what is it, my dear?
Can't you tell me---so that we can
work II ont togethcr?" secs: