Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1940-05-03
II BELONG To YOU By B 30 9RSSfR

her, reflected in sparkling eyes, in
the warm curve of her red mouth.
Conchita said, you're positively in
incandescent. If you cared that much
about the man, why did you let him
; get away in the first placer"
March was grave suddenly and very
/ jearnest. Her voice was low. Because
. I was a fool, Conchita. I thought l
: could make Brent do what I wanted
. and I was wrong"
"Well, Heaven preserve me from
} raan I can wind around my finger!
J Pete's already getting out of line and
. I haven't even married him yet" Her
tone grew thoughtful. I'm fact, I'm
| not sure I will"
you've been saying that for long
time," March reminded her. "And
Pete's still around"
around, yes" her friend conceded.
"The guy intrigues me. But you'll
. notice he has no legal status. We go
to the movies on his salary and to the
, brighter night spots Dutch treat. And
on rainy evenings we stay home and
hold hands. I may even be in love
| with him, but Pm not sure I want to
J do anything constructive about it."
J at isn't love-" March warned her
with mock solemnity, cor you couldn't
| be so sensible about it."
; ooh, couldn't l? Pm the sensible
. type. And then I study the home
J life of my married friends. Take you
: and Brent, for example. You're on
: the heights or in the depths all the
: time. Pm not sure my blood pressure
would stand it."
: March said, her eyes shining, cts
lovely on the heights, my darling
And that's where we're going to stay
4 from now on"
3 Conchita patted her shoulder. "See
: that you do" There was an almost
4 imperceptible note Of seriousness un-
, derlying her banter. "And when life
, in che north woods begins to pail, just
7 remember it wasn't much fun around
here after Brent left. ;"
? The expressman came then. And
: soon after March and Conchita de.
parted for the train. Clay was wait.
D ing for them at the station, loaded
Y down with books and magazines fol
) March's amusement, gardenias fol
D her adornment.
r She fastened them, creamy fresh
e and fragrant, against the collar Of
4 her fur coat, close to her cheek. "Nice
: of you, Clay. Thanks"
r Clay said, cts nothing"
Y He looked fine-drawn, Conchita
thought, and infinitely weary.
They saw March installed in the
: luxurious day coach of the stream
S lined train that would bear her north
3 ward.
a Conchita said, Nothing backwoods
4 about this covered wagon" And she
) told March, keep your chin up and
, remember all my motherly advice"
Clay. was deeply thankful for Con-
chita's presence. She eased little
the telling strain of his parting with
March, made impossible the things
he wanted to say so badly and that
were better left unsaid.
After the slightly stilted goodbyes
that railroad departures seem to i'm
pose on even the oldest friends, March
watched Conchita and Clay move
down the aisle, their outlines blur
! red family by the unwilling tears in
watching the loosening of the last link
connecting her with the old life. And
the new lay fearful and indefinite be-
her eyes. It was as though she
fore her, with only Brnt's presence to
make it bearable at all. But think
ing of Brent, the doubts and fears
that had assailed her momentarily
faded. And she was sure again and
filled with a sublime Impotence. .
The mood of exultance upheld her
during all that long journey. March
watched the cities and the little towns
fall away beyond the windows. She
read bit and drowsed bit and woke