The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1940-07-25


expression Of pain darkened his
bright hazel eyes. ''What is it," he
asked in low strained voice. "What
have I done or not done?"
Nothing. Come, sit here" she
said gently. "You look so tired
He sat beside her on the couch.
His head dropped back against the
cushions. His eyes closed. She took
his hand, ran her fingers across the
smooth tanned skin, the slender
fingers. Presently he opened his
eyes.
Don't think I came to interfere"
he said. ''Kate called me-was 1t
last night? I feel as though I'd lived
a full lifetime since then and died
and-been buried"
II supposed Kate had. She's
looked SO guilty all day. I don't
care, except for you. I've had in
tended to leave for home today but
there were repairs to be done on
the car"
"We?"
'sKate and l."
He sat forward.
Then you AREN'T"
I'm going home. You don't sup
pose, do you, that I'd let you face
the-cataclysm alone? Besides, a
promise is promise and if you"
mol" His quick protest brought
her to stop. God, no! I don't
want you to marry me from a sense
of duty or pity or kindness" He
bent forward, his face in his hands.
but Gay. dear, why couldn't you
have"
'Did it-does it mean so much to
your" she asked wonderingly.
He sat erect, stared at her as
/ though she were a stranger. Don't
you know-haven't you known what
it's meant to me?"
"But it was all so-casual"
ST thought you wanted it that way.
You've always ridiculed sentiment.
/ was glad that you wanted church
wedding. Not that I've enjoyed the
clatter and fuss. But I wanted you
to want all the old enchantments.
Something old and something new
Isn't that the way it goes? And
choir-boys and bridesmaids and
confetti. I wanted us to do all the
silly things people used to before
romance and sentiment went out of
style. I thought that after we were
married."
'How little I've known you," she
marveled.
"And how little I've known you.
You've never spoken of this place,
of John. ! had no idea that when
he came to your debutante party,
you, he-Kate told me you didn't
expect him to be here when you
, came-How long have you known
him, Gay?"
"Since I was fifteen. Since the
summer I spent here with Uncle
john"
''Then that's the answer. I've
known all along that you weren't
as certain as I was"
"I tried. Forgive me-Oh, what
must you think of me?"
at her steadily, very seriously. 'I've
always thought you were the lowell
est person I've ever known. It's the
habit of lifetime. can't break
| 1t now."
Tears streamed down over her
cheeks. She made no attempt to
check them.
81 want you to know" she said,
"that / feel toward you now, at
this moment, just as I've always
felt. This-this thing that has hap
pened hasn't changed it. I love you
as my best and my dearest
friend"
"But you love John more?"
She nodded. ''I'm SO sorry" she
cried pityingly. "I'm too fond of
you to tell you less than the truth. +"
He laid her hands gently in her
lap, rose, walked to the fireplace,
stood with his back to her, lighting
a cigarette. When he turned, his
face was peaceful.
~ like him, you know" He smiled
wearily through the smoke from the
cigarette. THAT put me at dis
advantage. I can't offer to knock
his head off. / couldn't anyway.
He's bigger than I am. It's all
right, Gay"
''Is it?" Her voice was wistful.
"I'm so fond of you. I think of rid
ing our ponies together and Miss
Kitty's dancing class and your first
sail-boat and tea-dances and foot
ball games and skiing and house
parties at Princeton"
His smile wavered. "And it doesn't
do any good?"
Her eyes fell away from his face,
less peaceful now, drawn with IA
tigue and pain.
''It only makes me more certain, /"
she said scarcely audibly.
He dnew long shaken breath.
"Well, that's that" Glancing up she
saw the corners of his lips lift in a
difficult smile. 81 should say, now,
in husky voice but with a smile,
that I'll always love you, little girl,
and if you ever need me or want
me" His voice altered. "I do say
it, Gay. I've had considerable ex-
perience getting you out of scrapes.
II you ever need me-"
You're dear, Todd. wish"
He flung the cigarette into the
fire, went to the couch, dropped
down beside her, drew her close in
strong embrace.
Gay, darling, can't your" his lips
whispered against her cheek.
She put aside his eager arms.
Her hands lifted to his face. Her
/ ewes met his bright now with a