The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-05-10
CHAPTER VI-Continued

CHAPTER VI-COntlnued
s.
Yes, Todd was attractive. He
wore his well-cut clothes with a nom
chalant air and his manner, even
in this difficult situation, was poised,
considerate, assured. In compare
son John seemed a little clumsy,
difident, insure. What was it in
him that aroused a more devastat-
ing emotion than, in all the years Of
knowing him, she had ever felt for
Todd? Her eyes moved along the
back of his leather jacket to his
crisp dark hair. One lock, blatant
~ waving, stood erect at the crown
of his head. Looking at it her brief
resentment melted and in the emo
ton which swept through her fur
Their comparison was impossible.
John! she called silently, John!
He turned as though she had spo-
ken his name aloud. His expression
softened. His mouth quivered. His
thin dark face frightened at what
ever it was he read in her eyes.
Their long glance asked and an
swered before he turned again to
Todd.
'If you'll excuse me-" he said
very courteously, "I'n 60 out and
get in some wood" IT
Scan I help your" Todd asked.
''No, thank you" John picked up
the wood-basket and went out of
the room.
Silence followed. Gay tossed her
cigarette into the fire. Todd walked
to the hearth, stood looking at Gay
through the lamplight. Her eyes
rested on her hands, clasped tightly
in her lap.
'Tt's pleasant here" he said, pres
emily.
eyes, isn't it?"
''Have you rested?"
ooh, yes"
''You look very WELL"
''I'm feeling" She glanced up at
him. TODD" she said and was
silent.
81 know all about it, Gay" he said
steadily. "You love him. You want
to be free"
She nodded, then cried softly,
''Todd dear, I'm so sorry"
His composure was shaken. An
expression of pain darkened his
bright hazel eyes. ''What is it?" he
asked in low strained voice. "What
have 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 came to interfere"
he said. 'sKate called me-was it
last night? feel as though I'd lived
full lifetime since then and died
and-been buried"
II supposed Kate had. She's
looked so guilty all day. ! 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"
ever"
''Kate and l."
He sat forward.
''Then you AREN'T"
'I'm going home. You don't sup
n0se do vnr, that It'd LAT Won fara
the-cataclysm alone? Besides,
promise is a promise and if you"
mol" His quick protest brought
her to a stop. "God, mol ] 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 stranger. Don't
YOU lnow-haven't you known what
it's meant to me?"
"But 1t was all so-casual."
II thought you wanted it that way.
You've always ridiculed sentiment.
] was glad that you wanted church
wedding. Not that I've enjoyed the
slatter and fuss. But wanted you
No want Al the old entertainments.
Something cid and something new
Isn't ~ Ne way 1t goes? And