Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1940-06-14
CHAPTER IA


Blaine, hidden from Griff's view by
the curve of the stairway, should have
come along just in time to overhear
most of Griff's part in that CONVEX
sation.
Brent saw March aboard the stream
lined train shortly after eleven. She
watched him through the window as
the train pulled out. In the air-con-
ditioned comfort Of the chair car the
blazing sun outside seemed brilliant
Iy improbable. Brent waved and she
kissed her fingertips to him as ne re-
coded slowly from view.
How different this journey from
the one she had embarked upon a
scant five months before. Then sne
had been leaving behind the life she
knew, facing an unknown future for
the sake of the man she loved. She
had been frightened and insure, posi-
tive only of her love for Brent, her
aching need of him. Now she was
leaving him for a brief time, not be-
cause she wanted to, but because she
must. For his sake and her own and
the sake of their marriage.
March sat there, unseeing, feeling
dull and regretful, unaware OF the
streams and the forests and the farms
flashing past. But, after time, the
monotonous loneliness beyond the
window instilled in her a kind OF
peace, a realization of her own COM
narrative insignificance, a confidence
that things would work out. They
must work out. She loved Brent and
he loved her. And surely their love
was big enough to effect an ADJUST
ment of diverging personalities, OF
clashing likes and dislikes.
Not until the train neared the city
did anticipation rise in March. Max
ing her eager to look upon the faces
of old friends, arousing in her a sharp
nostalgia for remembered scenes, for
the roar and rumble of traffic, for
flashing lights and hurrying feet on
city pavements.
1t was dusk when March alighted
at Union Station. She stood for a
moment in the echoing, smoky train
shed, while the red-cap who carried
hel pags waited expectantly for direc-
tions. In that brief hesitant interval,
she regretted her failure to wire Con-
chita or Clay of her coming. All a.
round her people were meeting and
embracing, talking in excited tones.
The loneliness of unwelcomed arrival
caught at March throat, deepening
her voice as she told the expectant
red-cap, "I'll want cab"
She broke off abruptly at sight of
a tall, familiar figure striding toward
her, at sight of amused blue eyes, a
broad, delighted grin.
Griff Morgan took her hands in his
and stood there, enjoying her blank
amazement to the full for long mo-
ment before he said aggrievedly,
"Don't tell me you aren't any happier
to see me than that, after I flew all
the way down from Wisconsin to well
come you'll"
Over dinner in the air-cooled din
ing-room of Michigan Avenue hotel,
March tried to make Griff see the
enormity of the thing he had done.
She asked gravely, "Can't you see
how this looks? Your following me
here deliberately"
81 didn't follow you," Griff denied.
81 got here first"
"Griff, be sensible! You knew l
was coming. Now you've made my
perfectly harmless little trip take on
all the aspects of an intrigue. AS
though I'd planned to meet you"
her voice faltered.
81 planned to meet you," Griff cor
rected. "You conscience is clear, so
what are you worrying about? Be-
sides, no one knows where I've gone
except Pat, and she won't tell. You
can count on my sister"
"But | don't want to count on herr"
March explained YEARLY. ooh, Griff,
you've made it all so-schabby. And
l hate shabby things"
G1ff gave all his attention to his
cigarette for a moment, grinding it
out carefully in a crystal ashtray.
When he looked up at last his eyes
were ashamed and there was bitter
twist to his mouth.
He said, "Sorry, March. only
meant, in my own clumsy manner, to
help you enjoy yourself. Instead, l
seem to have made a mess of your
whole vacation. But then, l usually
manage to make mess of the very