The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-01-13
BY RUTH AYERS

| YESTERDAY: Mary accepts Gil
berts proposal. They are TO be mar
lied saturday. before he leaves for
the front. Lemon gives her money "a
buy . wedding outfit and MARY {.
surprised TO find she has not lost
her Interest In fashions. Then nj the
rekistry she hears herself answering
III do"
CHAPTER XIV
After the brief words Of the
registry marriage service, Mary
and Gilbert started back to the
Soho rooms.
Cilbert's arm was tucked In hers
in a comradely fashion as they
walked, giving her a feeling OF
protection. Even more. She felt
an unexpected sense Of elation.
now that the wedding service was
over.
She was still In love with VIM
cent Gregg. She always would be.
But the fact that she had seen
him with Carla that day no longer
seemed so frightening or so cruel.
This marriage at the registry
gave her a new status. She was
Mrs. Gilbert Lenox. No longer did
she have to masquerade as Anna
Winters. A great surge Of tender
ness for the serious, red-headed
American doctor came over her.
You've saved me from abso-
lutte defeat" she tried to say.
You've got heart as big as you
are. Great Heart-that should be
your name-or maybe Sir Gala
had"
Gilbert looked down at her,
small and trim by his side. He
even managed a smile, although
Mary could tell he wasn't thinking
Of her now. He was impatient to
be on the way to the base hospital
at the front.
Almost mechanically he replied,
You're already looking up your
self. my dear. That outfit does
something TO you"
II did, too. The simply styled
dress was a blue that reflected her
eyes and the veil on the small hat
Swallowed the twisted right cheek.
Her hair was still colorless and
dull. and the glowing opal tones
Of her skin had been blotted out,
likely for all time, by the drab
pallor. But a new uplifting Of her
courage radiated from her.
In the apartment, Gilbert began
to pack few intimate possessions.
This Is my mother" he said,
showing her a photograph of a
sweet-faced woman. Were mid
westerners. There have been doc
tors in my family ever since COW
cred wagons moved across the
prairies."
Mary was glad he talked.
Snatches and anecdotes and reveal
ing incidents about his boyhood
and his home in Missouri.
Have you a girl at home ?" she
asked abruptly. Red famed in her
face when the words were said.
"Oh. I'm sorry. You haven't asked
anything about me or the man /
love. I've no right to ask you"
That's quite all right" Gilbert
answered. Girls maybe, yes. But
as told you that day on the sun
porch at the hospital, I've never
been in love-real love. That's
something different. 1t has to be"
Mary was at his side at once.
'Some day you'll find someone
who's crazy about you. I know IT..
You have everything to offer a
girl"
She went on in a rush OF words.
what you're doing for me now,
giving me your name while you're
In Franee-letting me use your
money until I can repay it-all
that Is chivalrous and generous
beyond words. But when you
come back TO England, I'll be all
right again. You've pulled me
through and I feel the worst Is
already over. The marriage can
be annulled quietly and I'll never
stand in your way. Even now. !
envy the girl who'll be your real
wife-your sweetheart"
Mary's eyes lowered and her
hands twisted miserably in her
lap.
Gilbert bent down TO her. Be-
fore either OF them were aware of
II. he had drawn her TO her feet
and encircled her shoulders.
You want to watch out, Mrs.
Gilbert Lenox, or you might be
the girl ] fall in love with" His
voice grew husky.
In a breathless move, he had
lifted her in his rams, held her as
AlAnl3s as Al cttt u bNtn a dQAs Aht
new tenderness Mary felt for him
began to flame into something
stronger. She waited. half hope
fll. half fearful that his lips would
press down hard on her mouth.
The spell broke. Gilbert kissed
her-but lightly. almost in a
brotherly way. and put her down.
Mary remembered her unsightly
face. No, Gilbert Lenox would
never fall in love with her. 1t
was pity. not glimmer of love.
that had made him give her his
name.
When he had packed his few
things and put a worn Bible in
his pocket. Gilbert wrote out a
few addresses and directions TO
her.
It's not that I'm afraid" he