Browning chief., 1941-07-04

He did not look at her now because
he pitied her-he must have been con-
cerned about her affair with Vance
for a long time At last today he had
forced himself to tell her the truth.
But she had rather not have known
the truth-she was without a weapon
now.
Henry added slowly: You know he
has had many affairs with many
women-and each one has thought it
would be easy to take him away from
Georgia. -
She didn't speak, gallantly managing
to control her anger and humiliation.
When at last he turned around she
was sure her face was composed. She
asked. do you see her now? I mean,
is she still as wonderful as ever?"
He nodded. IT see her now and then.
She can still make ME feel like Sieg-
fried-not like a good. stodgy banker
at all" He glanced at his watch. my
dear, have overstayed. know you
must want to be dressing for dinner"
After a few more amiable remarks he
left her; he left her casually as If he
were unaware of what he had ruined.
Laurie remained in the drawing room,
staring at herself in a tall mirror
She thought she appeared slight and
pale and cheap. Not a big peasant girl
with strong arms Not a great person
who could forget herself long enough
woman who could put her high-colored
pT- f1t1 ar1- =
If Laurie cried, as she longed to now,
she would have to lie on a bed with
pillows. She felt a bitter resent
ment toward the kind of pioneer back
ground that produces a woman like
Georgia-invulnerabl because of nat
ural strength and lack Of vanity. She,
LAURA, had spent all her life groom
ing her plumage for men. They ad
mired her beauty and grace but they
hurgered for more. far more.
Out of the confusion Of her thoughts
one bit of clarity emerged. She must
not see Vance again. He had no in
tention of leaving Georgia and prob
ably had never dreamed that Laurie
expected to marry him eventually. Now
she knew why he had never discussed
his wife-where Georgia stood was
sanctuary.
1t was about o'clock and she knew
he did not like to be disturbed at
this hour when he had an evening
performance. But she thought grimly
that she could well disturb him for
one last time.
If he had sounded cross that would
have made things easier. But he was
gentle and gay, speaking in the magical
voice that always made her heart turn
over.
You looked enchanting today" he
said. Like a Parma violet growing
under the shadow of a mushroom"
Mushroom" she said duly.
You were lunching with a muSh
room, sweet. Not an edible mushroom,
or even edifying And why you must
do such things I don't know" Ooes
ne tease Georgia about Henry? she
wondered Probably not, for appar-
emily the peasant can do no wrongO
Where shall we meet tonight?" he
asked. 1t was difficult to find new,
obscure places to meet before they
drove out to the tavern in Connecticut.
Not last weeks bar. Somebody men,
toned seeing us there. Have you any
suggestion, Laurie? How about Lab
rozzi's? I'm sure Papa Labrozzi figures
me as a small-time gangster meeting
his mol. What is the matter?
I'm tired of doing monologue. There's
I like less than a block of
silence freezing the other end of the
wire"
Il can't see you tonight" she said,
very low.
Certainly you can. At Labrozzis at
HAS"
mo. Vance, I am sick of meeting
you here and there-just as if I really
were a gangster's moll. I shan't see
you any more. I've decided believe
I'll go away. Yes, am going away
tomorrow"
You are a precious but very silly
child" he said gently. Il will be at
Labrozzi's and you will tell me all
about this strange mood"
Mood" she said, but he only re-
piled. "Goodby. darling" and hung up
the receiver.