The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-01-11
BY RUTH AYERS
CAST OF CHARACTERS

| CARLA MARCHETTA-A mysteri'
Gus London socialite.
DR.. GILBERT LENox-surseon
serving with British army.
/
YESTERDAY: Mary has little luel
not yet ready to give mp. she Is sur
prlsed when Lenox calls on her. III
Is leaving for the front, She regret'
the loss OF her only friend. Their
Ienox asks her an amazing question
VIII you marry me?"
|
CHAPTER XIII
Mary fell back In her chair AZ
she realized the full import of DR.
Lenox's strange offer. He could
not be serious. But he was. His
eyes. steady upon her, told her his
proposal, however strange, wa
entirely sincere.
Anna, I'm not expecting this
to be a marriage of love. I know
you're in love with someone else
I can understand why you've moi
gone to him only too well.
What I am suggesting for Il.
Is an arrangement of friendship
only. You are alone. and I an
sure if you haven't found a jot
by now, your money is pretty low
feel personally responsible fol
you because when you were sc
close to death l did what I could
to bring you through"
Mary's eyes flashed with some
thing of her old spirit.
you pity me-" she accused.
He tilted her chin with his hand
forcing her eyes to look into his
you must believe, at least,
am sincere in wanting to helr
you"
Mary's excitement lessened un-
der his calm.
"As my wife you will receive
my army pay. You can stay or
in these rooms without being en-
barrassed. But here's the best
part Of it all. When DR.. O'Connell
the famous plastic surgeon, re-
turns from the front, it will b.
easier to have you admitted to the
hospital as my wife. Otherwise
it might be difficult, especial,
since l will be on the other sid'
of the Channel"
Tongues of orange famed from
the burning coal. A clock ticket
softly. Except for these tin,
sounds, there was silence in tn,
room.
At length Mary reused herself
what you said is true. I an
desperate. I have no money
While I'm disfigured like this,
can't bear to face anyone whc
knew me before :" Her voice
faltered and he did not expect hel
to continue.
1t was as if she was speaking
her thoughts aloud. But thai
doesn't mean haven't any pride,
she went on after a pause. ANT
that doesn't mean my dreams ar
over for always"
He knocked the ashes out of hi
pipe and waited for her to con
tinue.
"A chapel wedding, a bridal vel
and orange blossoms, organ musi'
and a honeymoon, these are al
part of what marriage has mean
to me-"
Il understand" He spoke quiet
ly. Naturally my strange offe
of marriage has given you a jolt
coming as it did out of a clea
sky"
II appreciate your offer. I know
you only spoke to help, as a friend
But you'll have to give me TIM
to think 1t over. When are vol
going to France"
Il don't know. Any day, now.
DR.. Lenox stood up. He reached
for his coat. do think it over
Consider it seriously. I don't wan
you to do anything you might b.
sorry for. But on the other hand
If / do come back from the front
I'll give you your freedom when
ever you want it,"
When he had disappeared int,
the night, Mary sat motionless b.
the CRAVING embers, hands cuppin,
her chin. Long after the fire ha'
burned itself out she sat, unmind
full of the growing chill.
Here was a way out. That YER
day had brought her to a new loy
in her already hopeless existence
But to marry Lenox would be I'm
IA. to him. She still loved Vim
cent Gregg. Even though d.
Lenox was aware of that, and wa
willing to marry her on thes
terms, she could not allow him I
make that sacrifice.
How long she had been thinkin
these thoughts. she had no way t
tell. But when the chimes of
hall clock announced midnight
she drew up with a start. Perhap
by daylight she could think thi
thing out more clearly.
The next day the problems o
the night before had solved them
selves in no way. If she coul,
only see Vincent without him see
ing her. II she could only be sur
that he was longing as much 70
her as she was for him; Then sh
could wait lifetime, IL necessary
for their reunion. Hunger, pow
erty, nothing would matter.
Hardly aware OF what she die
Mary found herself walking in tn
direction Of Vincents lodgings.
She walked along Oxford stree
and turned into Charing eros
road 20 Txof,I,- &c.. CT