The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-31

wife. I've work to do here in Sumner = with Alan.
 ~The night you went to the dam
 when I stood there on the dock, hoping, praying you'd get through. safely, I knew that Alans life is my life. Without him, there is nothing for me ]"
 "But this sudden change, Emily. Are you sure you won't change your mind again?" Emily's abrupt decision had left Eric non- plussed. To be plunged from the heights of happiness into a depth of defeat was something he could not take lightly. His hands ached, but his heart hurt more.
 There is no sudden change, Eric. This is the way it has al- ways been-this is the way 1t will always be. When I said I'd di- vorce Alan and marry you I was angry = infuriated by his stubborn devotion to something I did not understand. I know now. I can't explain it, but when I saw Alan and those other doctors taking their lives in their hands to reach injured men, braving death on that flooded river, I realized that medicine is an almost holy pro- fession. These doctors are not afraid of anything. When a pa- tient calls they go - regardless of what the cost may be.
 T see it now. That's why I'm staying with Alan. I'm sorry If ] hurt you, Eric"
 Eric took it, smiling. It was toe much to hope for, he realized, even to dream that Emily could love him. He had been fooled, for a moment, just as Alan had been Emily's kiss, her solicitude for his burned hands had been only pity not love. Her love belonged tc Alan. Nothing would ever change that. She had come into his life second time, Eric thought with out bitterness, and she would dance out of it again, as she had on that first night, leaving him only memories.
 Alan had said she should make the choice. She had. And Eric found no part in it. He tried tc tell himself that he was glad-foi Alan. That it should be like this Alan and Emily.
 Alan did not look back as he hur- ried down the street. People passed him, spoke to him, but he neither saw nor heard them. Others stared wonderingly at him, bareheaded his face pale and drawn, as he walked along as If in a daze.
 His thoughts kept pace with his steps, Eric and Emily. They would go away together. They would be gone from the house before he returned. He would never see either of them again. That was bst. He could never bring him. self to seeing Emily as another mans wife. His Emily.
 He made his way across town hedless of traffic lights and auto- mobiles. The river drew him as if a magnet. At last he found himself in Summers little riverside park, sitting on the bank, watch ing the quiet water. A weaker man might have seen escape in the rippling waves but the thought did not occur to Alan.
 For a long time he sat there, staring duly before him, seeing nothing. Gradually the numbness he had felt began to leave him.
 With Emily gone out of his life, only his work remained. He would make that take all of his time, day and night. That free maternity clinic he and Farrell had planned to start - he would begin work on that right now.
 He would sell his home, = he could never live there without Emily - move in with Farrell. He would move his office into the poorer section of town, across the tracks. Then work - work - work. He would forget money - never worry about collections. Farrell had plenty to keep them both.
 But even the thought of his clinic held little joy for him. Without Emily to work for, even medicine held little promise of ever bringing him true happiness. Maybe Farrell would know the right answer. Slowly, more. calm and collected now, Alan left the river, and walked toward Farrell's home.
 DO you think Alan will ever for give me? Will he ever understand?" Emily was saying.
 "Of course he will" Eric re- assured her. "He was only trying to give you what he thought you wanted. To set you free, without hate or bitterness. It was you he was thinking of, not himself"
 They stood at the door, waiting for the cab that was to take Eric away.
 I've been such a fool, Eric. l didn't know what I wanted. l thought it was parties and fun. But it wasn't. I want Alan. And if his profession takes him from me most of the time, I'll be content with the few minutes I can be