Arkansas State press., 1942-05-22
The BACHELORS BRIDE

to belong to Bob.
She had not realized before her
marriage how important factor
population would bye in their re-
latidaship at first, she had pre-
tended to adjust herself to this
new situation, but her efforts were
only mechanical. Her frigid.y to
ward her husband did not alarm
her in the least. She knew it was
psychological and traced it to her
love for Bob, Her every effort
during this time had been direct
ed toward building up a wall of
sexual freedom between them.
As for her husband hr had long
ago rid himself of the illusion
that she had any passionate at
tachment for him. In doing so he
had tried to keep an open and un-
prejudieed mind toward her as his
wife, Even though he had never
been able to break down the bar
rier that had always existed be-
tween them he did not look upon
their marriage as a complete fail
ure.
AIMS thoughts had often turn
ed to Bob during the years of her
marriage. Recalling their court
ship made her picture him as her
childhood "Princs Charming who
would someday come and rescue
her from her captor. She knew
that her marriage to- John Mann
ing had been the result of a con-
fusion of mind and she, therefore,
felt no real obligation to carry out
the marriage contract.
Ii
Bob Whitley was back from Eu-
rope. TIE Gloh9's ace reporter lad
been banned in all Nazis CONTROL
ed territory because Of true ar
ticle he had gotten by the censors
en- Hitler's Germany. He could
have been assigned to England had
he chosen but three years of COW
ering news, intrigue, and war had
been enough for him. He was back
in the States with burning de-
sire to get started on novel about
it all.
He knew that Ann had expected
him to come to this party. Had
he refused the invitation, she
would have known that he resent
ed her marriage. The hostess was
an old friend of theirs and it was
to be a sort Of reunion.
Ann arrived shorty, after he
did. She looked radiant. John was
with her. His formal attire was
perfect as a background for her
white and silver gown.
They gave the butler their wraps
and came over to where Bob was
standir~
"Welcome home,' said John, as
they shook ha. H. 1T is good to
see you again"
Ann smiled. 81 can hardly be-
lieye you're hore,' she said
Bob knew at once that she was
glad to see him. He was sorry
that John was there because he
felt that hie presence would make
their conversation artificial. He
had meant to greet Ann by ask
ing if she | / eaved him a piece
of the wedding cake.
They talked for few minutes
about tn war and then the hest
es4 c-.me 10 their rescue. She took
John away to meet some other
people and left them alone at
last.
Ann looked up at Bob. He no.
tieed that she was even prettier
than before. Yet her beauty was
not the thing that attracted him
most. There was a potent force
about her that seemed to draw
HIM to her. When he spoke every
thing that they had once been to
each other seemed to rush back to
his memory.
You are looking we'll" he told
her.
ut is nice to know / passed your
Inspection" she said, with a smile
Frightening her whole face. 81 feel
well repaid by your compliment for
the hours | spent in the beauty
shop today"
lie gave her a cocktail and took
one Himself from the waiter VINO
was serving them.
"A toast to your marriage" he
proposed, with an appropriate ges-
ture Of his wrist. 81 must congrat
ulate your husband" he added, as
an after,hought. "Thcy tell me
that you two make very charm
ing couple"
She slipped her cocktail. "You
are not at all like ught you
would be- she told him.
He smiled. "Not IT all," he re-
peateG.
Ann looked over 10 where her
husband was standing with some
other guests. She knew that he
was waiting for he. h. come over
and ipin I,., nj il..-l, -