The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-05-27
copyR,eur ie,s, sY NeA ssancS, NC

made her very loVely' % ioNeiY
that Roger had to turn away a
moment before he could answer
her. -,
The said. His tone still was gay
land casual, except for an UNDER
current of eagernesS that no ef-
fort could suppress.
! 81 never meant anytime so
much in all nv live," she went on.
I'I've been an awful little TOOL,
Roger. Pretending | didn't want
anything to do with love, building
such wild, impossible day-dreams
of what | would do with my life.
Putting on an act, make-believe.
! know now that nothing matters
except love. | love you, Roger
and Pm not ashamed to say it.
! came back to tell you. I'd like to
toll everyone-the whole world:
/ that~
but you just told me-only a
short while ago--that you had
beeu putting on an act" Roger
said. He would not look at her;
ne had managed to suppress all
eaperness now. 81 suppose TINS. Is
inst another one, Jackie. In fact
Pm sure of it. You only think you
love me-or at least you're only
saving it. Because you feel sorry
for me; because ! cracked up, be-
ao,sar Pm not much good any
more
"Don't say that" She got to
her feet, bent over to silence him
with finger held against his lips.
Oh he was so dear-sO near TO
her, She would have liked to have
drawn his head down against her
breast. liked to have shut out that
look of pain in his blue eyes,
holding him close against her
heart. ATS not that. Pm sorry for
you. Why should ! be? Soon you
/ will be just as you always were,
we'll FORGET all about all this.
your crack up. the hospital p. :"
"You don't know what you are
sayingn His voice was harsh.
pity is akin to love, YOU know.
Hasn't Beryl told yOu-the truth
about me-" He looked at her
now, into he reyes-a look that
would not let her glance away.
Beryl has rome to New York."
Jackie answered. She did not saw
whether Beryl had told her or
not. Beryl- had asked her not to.
why should she say anything to
me? Oh, yes =. She did say that
she would be back as soon. as she
could; that she had ia, go on some
very important matter" : =
81 Lnow. about that; Roger
said. The look, of pain in his
blue eyes deepened; his tone still
was gruff.., Its no use,": he add
ed. He turned his head away
again for a :brief. moment; his
hand lying on the cover, clenched
hard so that the knueKies stood
out. Then he forced himself to
meet Jackie's eyes once more. II
might as well tell you, Jackie.
They don't think IN ever be able
to walk again" = -.
"You, mustn't say that" Jackie
protested as she had before. Now
she did put her arms around his
neck, gently, drawing him to her,
grading his head against her
heart. AZ won't believe it, Roger.
You mustn't believe it either.
We won't think. about it, talk
about it even. Besides, that has
nothing to do with what ] came
back to tell you-that love you,
that always have and always
will" T.. !.
"But you mustn't! You can't!
This was a cry rung from him in
spite of himself. 4.
"Pd like to see anyone or any
thing stop mep Jackie said.
| 81 tell you III never be any
good any MORE" Roger said, al
most bitterly now. "rll never be
able to fly g. that's what hurts
the most. But I'll never be able
even to crawl on the ground. I
couldn't hold you to a piece of
man like that, Jackie. ! couldn't
let you think you loved me, be-
cause of your pity, I'd rather be
dead"
poor Roger Jackie said. III
do pity you, but not because of
what you think. ] pity, you, dar-
ling, because you don't know
much-yet--abOut love. Love has
wings. Love can never be chained
to the ground. 1t can conquer
! everything, if given half trial.
Do you suppose | give q darn that
you may not be able to fly? Do
/ you suppose / can stop loving you
now, even if you can't walk again?
Oh, my darling" >. She bent her
golden head so that he could not
see the tears that filled her eyes.
Her voice held all the love, all the
infinite tenderness of womankind.
IL love you Roger. really love
you, can't you understand"
81 can't, but IN try" Roger
| Sdiu. "A tear Inat ala not come
from Jackie's eyes splashed on her
hands.
She held him closer, put her
lips against his. This was not such
a kiss as they had exchanged be-
fore. Those faded into nothing
ness. For this kiss sealed love
that was really true, that would
not be denied. -.
Much later the nurse opened
the door, very quietly. There had
been no response to her knock.
"A telegram for you, Miss Dunn"
she said, murmuring an apology
for mtruding. at is marked rush.
so guess it is very important. !"
Ito Be Continuedl, ~