The Washington times., 1938-03-22

she thought, as though a great
burden had been lifted from his
shoulders. She wondered how she
looked to him. She thought that
her own face showed signs Of the
strain they had both lived under.
There were a million things they
had to talk about. Ralph wanted
to know all about her travels with
Grace.
He said, "Angie was reading
Lambert's new book. She was tell
ing me"
Brenda remembered Angie. She
had seen her once. Angie was a
cousin Of Rita's. A slight yellow
haired girl with face like pretty
doll.
1t was easy to talk about Angie,
and Grace Lambert, and Hawaii.
But it seemed that neither Brenda
nor Ralph could quite bring them
selves to speak of Rita.
SAYS RITA ALIVE
It was Brenda who broached the
subject first, during a lull in the
conversation.
Ralph, tell me about Rita"
A pause, and then Ralph said,
"Why-She's just about the same,
Brenda"
A dreadful coldness caught hold
Of Brenda. She echoed, "The
same? But"
She was staring at Ralph but
for the moment his eyes were not
looking at her.
Really no change in her condi-
ton, at all. The doctors can't un-
derstand it. Even Angie says
Angie, you know, has been nursing
her"
But Angles only a child, isn't
She?" Brenda thought she heard
herself asking frozenly.
Well, children had to grow up.
Angie was 20 now, and devoted to
Rita. Words went on and on. The
doctors said this. The doctors
said that. And Angie said
Ralph was looking at her now.
Even if Brenda had not seen the
announcement of Rita's death,
complete even to funeral details,
she would have known that he was
lying. His words were too glib and
quick. now that his tongue was
looSed. He was reciting q speech
which he must have rehearSed to
himself and which he must get
over as fast as possible.
Rita was dead, but Ralph did
not want Brenda to know that she
was dead He was taking chance
that due to her travels she had
not seen the notice in the papers.
He was putting on an elaborate
show to make her believe that
poor Rita was still lingering pain
fully, still a barrier between them.
is ANGIE THE ANSWER?
He said, Going to be in New
York long, Brenda?"
"That-depends."
Was that why he had not de-
INJURED when she went away with
Grace-becauSe he did not expect
that she would come back?
Brenda rose from her seat alb
ruptly. Il think I'd better be
going"
There was a funny. guilty look
in Ralph'S eyes. Aren't we going
to dance, Brenda?"
She said steadily, looking at him,
IF you don't mind, Ralph, I'd
rather just remember-the last
time we danced"
His face went red. She OWNED
in that moment that he guessed
that his subterfuge had failed, and
that she knew the truth. But they
kept up the pretenSe, just as they
had on that other night before she
went away.
This time they said good-by,
and there was no kiss. If she
could avoid it Brenda would not
see Ralph again. nor even think
about him.
She did not take a taxi. She
walked slowly. clearing her mind.
She had been a fool. Ted had
been right about that, after all.
Clinging to something that was
dead. Yes. a love that was as
dead as poor Rita. Brenda shiv-
cred. Maybe she wouldn't feel
quite so badly when the first shock
was over.
She thought that she might
write to Ted. She had promised
to. She hoped there was a chance
that he might understand what
had happened to her.
THE END