The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-26
CHAPTER -1XII

Jackie repeated what Beryl had told her slowly, incredulously. But that can't be! He's getting along so nicely-why he just told me, when l said goodby, that soon he would be out of the hospital, that soon he would be flying again. Oh, Beryl," Jackie caught Mrs. Melrose's arm, that can't be the truth! You must be mistaken. How can you even say such thing!"
 T don't want to say it." Beryl returned, her dark eyes compass sionate. You remember I told you yesterday was to have confer ence with Doctor Watson? Well, he told me then. It seems there's some thing wrong with Rogers back"
 "Oh, Beryl!" Jackie bowed her head in despair. Her own trouble was forgotten now, the fact that she had geen running away. For Roger, who practically had been born with wings, who was only at home riding the sky. conquering the heavens, to be earthbound- never able to walk again. Jackie raised her head, stricken by another thought, Does he know?" she asked. Docs he have to know this, Beryl?"
 Beryl nodded, moistened her lips. If she had let Jackie glimpse the love she felt for Roger once or twice, now Jackie's love-her very soul-lay revealed for anyone to see. "Yes, Roger knows He had guessed all along. He insisted I tell him-yesterday."
 Then that was why you were kneeling at his side, why you were crying" Jackie spoke without thinking.
 You saw us thenl"
 "YeS I thought you had told Roger that you loved him."
 'Then that was why you de- cided to go home today! That was why you broke your engagement" BVgyl exclaimed
 Partly" Jackie admitted. But not all the reasons, Beryl." There must be nothing but truth now. Her eyes looked directly into Beryls. You see Roger doesn't love me. He was only playing a part. He had promised to play that part until the bitter end. thought if I told him he need not go on play ing at it any longer. thought if went away :. he would realize that he loves you.
 "No, don't interrupt!" she said, when Beryl tried to speak. Why shouldn't Roger love you, Beryl? You are so wonderful, so much bet ter than I am. You two really are suited to each other in every way And I love you both, so much that I want you both to be happy. That's why I did what I did. That's why l wanted to go away"
 You foolish little grill" Beryl re- proved gently, but her dark eyes, looking directly back into Jackie's too, were shining. Haven't you learned yet that you can't do any thing about love? You can't plan for it, change it-make it do the things you want it to. I do love Roger. I admit it. I'm not ashamed of it." She threw back her dark head proudly, her eyes alight with the acknowledgment of her love now. But my dear-it IS you whom Roger loves. He does not love me"
 Jackie's heart leaped high, as though suddenly it had shed it's dull aching weight, found new strength again. But only for mo- ment. She shook her head. No, Beryl. You forget Roger was per- fectly willing that I break our trial engagement, perfectly willing for me to go, to say goodby.'
 And you forget" Beryl reminded "thaJ Roger had just learned, only yesterday, that he may never walk | again"
 A shadow darkened Jackie's face with pain of this brought home again. You mean he hoped if I left then I need never knoW?"
 More than that. He made me promise not to tell you. He doesn't know now that I came after you that I've told you, Jackie. You sec, Roger wanted you to go-thinkng he did not care-becauSe only in that way could he give you your freedom from him."
 Jackie cried out in protest at that. "As though I would want to be free of him! Even if he never walks .. that could not make any difference"
 Good grill" Beryl said She got to her feet, stood looking down at Jackie, her lovely face alight with her gentle smile. q knew it would not make any difference; I knew you'd say that. Now you under stand why I've told you. Why had to stop you, come after you Do you still want to go, Jackie?"
 No" Jackie got to her feet, too. They were both oblivious to their surroundings, to the fact that the little waiting room was beginning to fill up with people again, that that sense of hustle and excitement, pre- ceding and heralding another ap- preaching train, filled the little sta- tion, too. q don't want to go But how can I persuade Roger to let me stay? How can be sure that he wants me, that he cares for me?"
 You may be sure of that" Beryl said, linking an arm through Jackie's. picking up her bag again, 1 urging her along. You can take my word for it. It was you Roger called for all during the time he was de- lirious. It was the fact that he thought I was you, standing by, helping him hold on, fight though,