Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1940-04-12
SYNOPSIS


mood, but rather than spend the even-
ing alone longing for his Wisconsin
woods, he attends a get-together at
Conchita Kelly's apartment with Ter
~ Crewe. The din of laughter and
swing soon pals on Brent and he
goes out and sits on the hall stairs,
asking himself, "What am I doing
here anyway" AS if in answer to
his question, attractive March Allison
ascends the stairway. March, COM
mercial artist. was returning from
business and never felt less like one
Of Conchita's "brawls." After ascer-
tanning that Brent is one of the guests
she joins him. No sooner does March
mention that she would like to climb
mountains instead of facing the
crowd inside, than Brent rushes her
downstairs and out the door to find
that mountain. Over hamburgers,
they discuss their meeting. "YOu
looked as if you we're waiting for
someone" said March. 81 felt as
though 1 were and then you came"
Brent answered. Back in the car,
March suggests returning home but,
even as she said it, she knew there
was no turning back. Fate had
thrown them together. On the shore
of a secluded lake, the magic of the
night and stars inexorably draw these
two together. They kiss. Each is
deeply moved by the incident but, be-
lieving it meant nothing to the other,
March and Brent pretend Indifference
and a barrier of GOODNESS rises be-
tween them. at her door. March bids
Brent goodbye with, II was SO hor-
ribly tired and bored. You've made
me come alive again. Thanks-in
ease don't see you again.. Furious
at that dismissal, Brent tries to tell
himself he didn't care. Upon return
ing home, he writes a letter TO his
hometown girl, Sara Gregory, break
ing off with her. He wouldn't admit
that March had anything to do with
his decision. Month later. when her
friend and employer, Clay Saunders,
proposes marriage, March admits she
loves Brent. "He loves you and it's
all settled?" asks Clay. "He loves
me. Pm sure of that. Nothing is
settled in the way you mean," March
replies. "He hasn't asked me to mar
~ him but he will
CHAPTER A
Clay's voice was gentle. Suppose
you marry and keep on at your job.
Don't you realize what that may even
tually do to you and to him and to
your feeling for each other? He isn't
the type to be content with half a
wife. Nor can l imagine him taking
any great satisfaction out of home
to the upkeep of which his wife must,
of necessity, contribute"
March tried to make her tone
light but her smile was trifle trem-
ulous. "Stop being so wise, Clay. 1t
doesn't become you. Why must you
try to make it all seem complicated
and involved when it's quite simple
really? AS simple as two people low
ing each other and wanting to be to-
gether always"
If he WINGED inwardly at that, it
didn't show on the surface. He said
slowly, 81 suppose your mother felt
like that, March. I know your father
did-once."
March's eyes were suddenly wide,
childishly vulnerable in her hurt
white face. She said, "That's horrid
of you, Clay. Even though you were
my fathers friend" her voice broke
hurried on holly. "This is different.
There's no comparison at all. My
mother loved too fully for her own
good-or for my fathers good. l
couldn't love like that-choking a
man with it, smothering him."
Clay said remorsefully, March
darling, l didn't mean it that way.
Please forgive me-" He caught her
hand in his, held it close and hard.
ri only want you to consider this
thing earthly, not rush into situa-
ton you may live to regret"
March said levelly, withdrawing her
hand from his, "I'm tired, Clay. Let's
go. We won't discuss this, again. If
it will relieve you any, have thought
it over. / wouldn't be rushing into
anything But my mind lis made
up"
Somewhere, far back along the
years, her words awoke muted echo.
In just such words had John Allison
rebuked his youthful interference in
another romance. And had gone from
the interview straight into an elope-