Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1937-07-10
CHAPTER Il

THE ERkSt-tt:kSfil! week paSSeu.
and Marcia was reluctant to re-
turn to town. Santa Cruz held an
linexpressible charm that she didn't
wish to lose. She found these
mountains different from the COM
mercializeti resorts close to Los
angeles. People really lived all
year in these cozy little houses,
neatly fenced in and protected by
towering trees. There were quaint
little taverns where a hungry guest
could get a charcoal broiled steak,
crisp French fried potatoes, and a
blazing rum omeiet for dessert.
The simple lives of Marie's friends
engrossed her. and she was disap-
pointed when Gary's message final
ly came.
times up. Expect you back
Monday. Meeting morning train.
Love. Gary" read the wire. He
would meet the train, she thought
with some Impotence. Doubtless
he was ready to plunge her back
into. the same whirlpool Of emotions
from which she had just escaped.
In some panic she realized she had
not yet reached any decision re-
garding him, and that working UNI
der his eyes at his Office would be
practically an impossibility. She
made up her mind to do the impor-
tant new illustrations in the secur-
ity of her own home. SIS
Sadly she took her leave OF
Marie whose voice had turned
gruff to disguise a flood OF :inac-
customed sentiment.
Come back again, my DEAR"
she said throatily, "either with
Gary or without the old boy. You'll
be welcome either way!" And
Marcia felt this one Of the most
genuine compliments she had ever
received. Waving goodby, she
realized she was leaving this
peaceful interim behind her, and
entering upon another and demand
ing period Of her life.
Gary was matter-of-fact when
he greeted her, although his eyes
BETRAYED deeper interest than he
would confess. Desperately he
tried to ascertain what the days
with Marie had meant to the girl
by his side, but while he approved
her golden tan and renewed vital
ity, he was unable to penetrate
deeper into her private feelings.
Marcia was vivacious companion
as they drove from the station to
'Gary's Office, chattering merrily Of
anything and everything, but moth
ing. that told him what he wanted
most to know.
p "This place looks smaller" she
looked puzzled when she reached
her old desk. That's what you
get for sending me into the wide
open spaces; feel cramped in this
Office" i.iz~ ~
you'll have plenty Of time to
get used to it," the man told her,
"we've a heavy schedule ahead of
us. Feel up to it?" :s>s
This gave Marcia her cue to sug-
gest that the cooler, 5quieter sur
roundings of her apartment would
be more desirable. "And Cary"
she bolstered up her argument.
this new work requires so much
more concentration, I think I'd do
better away from all these people"
Gary jumped to the conclusion
that their necessary conferences
would take place in the privacy of
her home and, so for the. very
meetings that Marcia sought to
eliminate, he agreed to her pro-
posal. esns Zss. -
Eagerly he studied the sketches
she had started in the mountains,
and he w2s generous in his praise.
The clearly etched emotions of the
character intrigued his interest,
and he felt the man had the de-
sired intensity. Instinctively he
realized that some inner emotions
had enabled Marcia to reach hith-
erto unscaled heights in her work,
and he hoped desperately that this
was a good sign for his ambitions.
Marcia went home alone that
evening, glad of the business ap-
pointmeHt that kept Gary from ac-
companying her. She wanted to go
back to her own home by herself
and to feel once more In command
Of her life... ~ aa@ 4
The apartment had a musty
smell from being; closed, and she
opened wide the windows. The
early summer day had been warm,
&fid there was a depressing pres
sure Of heat that seemed almost to
threaten her. Turning to the mail