The Coolidge examiner., 1937-08-19

They climbed straight up the
great shoulder of the mountain
stopped, painting and flushed, to get
their breath and to look down on
the sparkling world; went on again.
The sun was hot on the singing
blue February morning. but the
ground under their feet, especially
when the trail went into the woods.
was soaked and slippery from re-
cent rains. Quentin gave her his
hand; she slid against him; they
both laughed.
Reaching the summit Of the spur
with the dark blue rise Of Tamalpais
high above them, they sat upon a
sun-warmed rock for a while, look
ing down. breathing in the aromatic
sweetness of the still, clear air, list
ening to the cries of larks all about
and the occasional scream of a jay
or chatter of a chipmunk in the
chaparral.
When they started to slip and
slide down, the going was infinitely
easier, especially with the tree
smothered brown goal Of the cabin
roof right ahead. Vicky and Quen-
tin came back to the cabin at one
o'clock, breathless, ravenous and
weary.
Once again the quartette that
| gathered about the table was in
gala mood. More than once again
Victoria told herself that this was
one Of the good days, this was one
Of the satisfying times
But just after the leisurely meal
there was an interruption. A car
came up the circuitous bit of road
way to the porch with the speed Of
familiarity. Quentin's expression of
Mortified expectation, at which Vic
toria had been laughing. changed to
one Of odd embarrassment. of some
thing like faint annoyance-like
qualification.
ITS Marian, it's Mrs. Pool" he
had time to say under his breath
before he went out to welcome her.
"Oh, help" Dora commented,
disgustedly. Victoria said nothing
But the glory, the content Of the day
instantly were destroyed. 1t was
with a sense Of dullness. a vague
| feeling of hurt that she entered upon
the requisite moving Of chairs and
shifting of places to make room for
the newcomer. Marian Pool, lovely
in the smartest of sportwear. came
into the room with a rush and stood
with her head tipped little on one
side, apologetically smiling at them
| all.
"Oh, you're having party! Oh.
| how shameless of mel" she said
But why on earth are you eating
at half-past four o'clock? Sit down.
everyone-do sit down, DR.. Upham
here, everyone sit down."
They all sat down, and Victoria
saw the expression on Quentin Har-
disty's face. He saw nothing but
Marian.
Were all driving up for supper
at Maud's," the newcomer said.
I've dropped Sally and George in
the village to see the Cushings. 1t
occurred to me that Quentin here
had entirely forgotten that he prom
ised to be at Maud's. and l told
them I'd come up and get him. It's
the golf thing. Quentin. and after
ward big supper at Pete's."
Sure; l hadn't forgotten" Quen-
tin said. in lazy. smiling voice.
His eyes caressed her.
You did tell me you had house
party"
I'VE didn't know it ranked as a
house party. did we, Dora?"
Il beg pardon? Dora stam-
mered, starting.
You don't remember me, Mrs.
Pool?" Victoria said, in the dread
| full moment of silence when every
one stirred and smiled, but no one
had anything to say. Victoria Her
rendeen-down at the lodge, years
ago."
"Oh, frightful, don't remind me
of those CHASTITY days" Mrs. Pool
said lightly. her eyes on Quentin.
That was before. all bushes and
confusion, l got my divorcei | cried
all day. when / was first married,
and danced all night when l got
my divorce. ! mean | really did,
Quen."
The dullness. the wearisome stu
pidness of it all deepened. Vic,
from the moment her eyes had first
fallen upon the visitor. had known
that it would
''She is beautiful-perfectly beau
tiful," Victoria said to Dora, when
they were gathering brushes and
jars in ne bathroom.
Il don't see it," Dora answered
stubbornly. and Victoria laughed
without much mirth. To deny Mar
ian's fiawless and amazing beauty
would be to deny the mystery OF the
stars. the glory Of an apple orchard
in the spring. 1t worked upon men
like an irresistible anesthetic.
Vicky and the Uphams were swift
and brief in their farewells. The
girl admitted she was tired: the
days happiness. cooking, tramping.
making fires had not tired her, but
| there WAS no shred of the felicity