The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1938-03-18

ing that he was six stories above
ground, and paused to await an
elevator. But as he stood there
watching for q red signal, all his
citation in the combat vanished sud-
denly, leaving an almost physical
nausea in its wake.
For in those first ecstatic mo-
ments he had forgotten Nora.
Now, at thought Of her, his own
small triumph was completely lost
in the knowledge that 1t would make
things harder for her, make them,
indeed, well nigh unbearable. What
had he brought her anyway, he
asked himself, save trouble and
problems? Perhaps the kindest
thing that he could do was to obey
her brothers furious command and
60 away.
Half dazed, Don went out into the
midday sunlight which beat down
pitilessly on his throbbing head.
Yes, he would 60 away-leave Nora
to the life of ease and luxury that
should be her portion. But (his fight
ing spirit rising) damned If he'd 60
before she'd heard his version of
this mornings trouble. And there
was no time to lose. Already Ned
and his father might be on their
way to her. But he could tele-
phone-prepare the girl for what
was coming; and wouldn't it hurt
less to say good-by if he did not
see her?
Hot and breathless though the
small booth was, Don closed the
door. No one save Nora must hear
what he had to say. If she were out
But no, that was her own shell
lo' coming across the wire. He
said, making the words as light as
possible: "That you, Nora? had to
call to tell you some bad news. A
half hour back ! lost my temper
knocked down your estimable broth
er, $3.50 I'm on my way"
There was a silence. Then:
"Your-your way where, DOM"
"Anywhere-out of this cursed
city," he answered, his voice gruff
because the CONSERVATION in her
own had made him a little sick.
"Your fathers right, Nora. I'm no
good. That's why I'm leaving; not
because His Royal Highness ordered
me out of town. Remember that. "
'But-what possessed you to do
such thing, Don?"
Her voice was steadier now,
which gave him courage.
"That's why called you, Nora"
he said quietly. 81 wanted my side
of the story to reach you first. l.
I tried my darnedest to be fair,
dear. He saw me talking to that
girl I told you of-the kid ! gave
the money to, you know. Soon as
realized what he was driving at !
told him the whole story; but-well,
he didn't believe it, Nora. That's
all, I think"
Don's voice was crisp, hard, brit
tie. Recalling the insult, hot rage
ran over him like little flames.
Said Nora, breathlessly: "You
don't mean-you can't mean, Don.
that Ned called you liar?"
mot in so many wO1dS, perhaps,
but what he said amounted to the
same thing. Oh, he had it coming
to him, Nora! I'm not even sorry,
except for your sake. He's got
the idea firmly planted in his head
that after I say goodnight to you.
I-Well, fill in the story for your
self. It's not pretty, but it doesn't
require a great deal Of magma
tion."
"Oh, Don! He-he couldn't have
meant that!"
'He did, my dear. want you to
know that ! had provocation. !
apologized afterwards, if that mat
tiers; but of course this puts an end
to-everything."
There followed a pause, a notice
able pause before he heard her say:
"Meaning-me, DOM"
He answered. forcing his voice to
steadiness: ''I'm afraid so. ! can't
let you quarrel with your father for
my sake. Nora"