The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-07-31
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

jim Sdl1. lou can mtan tndls
Sheila. You're just saying 1t be-
cause you're angry"
For answer she drew off her
glove and held up her hand where
the sapphire set in diamonds blazed
from her finger.
Jim's face was white. For a
moment he did not speak then he
said. Il should have told you
sooner. intended to tell you that
night on the Alvear roof but some
way I couldn't.
You were so different than you
had been on the ship. That day
you were crying. II had told you
then l think you would have be-
lieved me. You were frightened
and lonely. We were very close at
that moment.
And I knew then. I had known
it for days. Seeing you on the
ship, being together as we were,
made me realize what you meant
to me"
Sheila cried in astonishment,
you aren't serious. Jim ,"
Il wish I weren't" he replied
grimly. But unfortunately it is
true. love everything about you
even your faults"
He looked so miserable that she
could no longer doubt him and the
realization came to her with a
shock. Recalling that first evening
in Buenos Aires she could see now
| that his attitude had been tender
and protective.
Jim had planned to tell her but
when he found her so poised and
radiant his self confidence failed
him. For one brief moment as
they stood together in the flower
scented garden she wished it could
have been Jim she loved.
He was so strong and kind and
dependable. He would make a
. wonderful husband But she could
never feel about him as she did
about Raoul. 1t was too late. 1t
had been too late from the instant
she set foot upon the soil of Argen-
tina.
Jim took her hands.
Look, honey, / know what I'm
telling you now can't make any
difference. You've given your word
to Raoul and you sincerely believe
that you're in love with him.
But won't you trust me suffi-
GENTLY not to marry him until
you've gone home and thought it
over? For six months. Or even
three. 1t is such a serious step
you're contemplating. You owe it
to yourself and him to be very
sure. If you decide to go on with
it you can always come back. Just
don't renounce your country with
out knowing what you're getting
into"
But what do you think I'm get
ting into, Jim ?" she asked impa-
tiently. why do you act as if ]
were about to commit suicide or
something ?"
you won't be able to take it."
he prophesied. You saw that other
American girl on the ship and how
unhappy she was"
But she was coming back"
Sheila reminded him. Besides you
can scarcely compare Raoul with
Madelaine's husband. Anyone could
see to look at him that he was a
philanderer.
you have been brought up too
differently" Jim insisted. Your
father has spoiled you. Sheila, since
your mother died. You have had
more freedom even than the aver
age girl Of your age. Not that I
think you have misused it. You
haven't but you won't like being
shut up in cage even if that cage
is of gold set with diamonds"
"Raoul understands that. He
goes everywhere with me now.
Why won't he after we're mar
ried? ?"
Because the men of this coun-
try don't. They have complete free
dom themselves but their wives
are not permitted the same liberty.
You will expect to act as you
would at home and it won't be
possible. You pride yourself on
being the mental equal of any man