The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-23
CHAPTER XIX

Jlftu IildL plCUuIt Ol DCIJl hilCCIlll5 beside Rogers bed would remain in- delible in her memory. She would never be able to erase it, or the shock that had accompanied it. But that was what troubled her now; what troubled her was what she must do about it.
 Roger knew now that Beryl loved him. He would indeed have been blind, if he could not have read Beryl's love revealed in its entirety. But that was not what troubled Jackie altogether The thought that troubled her most of all was that perhaps Roger loved Beryl
 After all, Roger had never told Jackie that he loved her. He had merely suggested they enter into trial engagement in order to make Evelyn believe they were going to be married. He had given his word he would stick to this ridiculous idea" until the bitter end, as he had expressed it, to help Jackie.
 Even before Roger had gone away, when Jackie had tried to make him believe that the en- gagement idea might not be so ridiculous, he had not said that he really loved her. He had played his part gallantly, of course. Roger was too good a sport, even now, not to continue playing his part to carry through this engagement they had entered into, until the bitter end. Maybe even though he had found that he loved someone else!
 Hadn't Roger told Jackie over and over how wonderful he found Beryl Melrose? Hadn't Evelyn warned her daughter that Roger might fall in love with such a fascinating woman? And there was no doubt as to that fascina- tion. Jackie had come under the spell of it herself during these past few days.
 It was merely common sense to admit that any man would prefer a woman of the world, poised, cultur- ed, wealthy-like Mrs. Melrose, to a stupid silly little girl like herself. Beryl Melrose had done things in aviation, too-the sort of things to win a mans admiration, the sort of things Jackie had dreamed of doing one day. Impossible dreams, she saw now, that would never be fulfilled. They must have seemed very fool ish - those dreams of Jackie's to Roger, who had had such big dreams of his own.
 And Beryl Melrose had been the one to help Roger fulfill his dreams, even though this first trial flight had almost ended in dis aster. That would not stop Roger. He would want to go on, as soon as he was able, he would need Beryl to help him to continue. Beryl, who had saved his life this time, who was so much more suited to him in every way thar little nobody like Jackie.
 Did you get all your letters written and everything else you aad planned to do?" Beryl asked at dinner that evening in the hotels little coffee shop. Roger was disappointed that you could not get to the hospital this after noon."
 Was he disappointed" Jackie asked eagerly, before she thought. She would have known that Beryl was merely trying to be nice Since she had been with Roger all afternoon he would not have missed Jackie. T l couldn't get there," Jackie added quickly It was true; she could not have forced herself to have gone into that room, after coming upon that scene with Beryl down on her knees to Roger. q I was packing, Beryl,"
 "Packing!"
 "Yes." Jackie nodded, but she could not meet Beryls startled glance. She did nc: know what had made her say that, or what had helped her to reach the sud- den decision that had come to her. For Jackie knew now what it was hat she must do.
 "I am going home" she Sald quietly, and now her eyes looked across the little table into BeryIS big dark ones. T don't think tha. should stay any longer. Now that Roger is out of danger, get ting along so fine'
 q see," Beryl said. But she did not look as though she did. Neither of them said anything for a while Then Beryl looked up from her plate again. You're not going without saying goodby to Roger, without tell ing him, are you, Jackie?"
 Jackie said no, she would not do that. She pushed her plate away; she could not eat anything more. I'll say goodby in the morning" Oh, how hard that would be! When it might be goodby forever When it might mean lshe would never see Roger again. T don't think there is any train out of here until noon."
 I'm sorry that you have to go Beryl said, still in that same doubtful tone, her dark eyes troubled, questioning. Then she smiled at Jackie, gently. Though