The Wilmington morning star., 1947-10-07

firmly.
They were 50 happily ab-
sorbed that they did not notice
when Gail slipped away. Her
heart was heavy as lead in her
o1eas1; she would so k>ve en-
Joyed being a partner in all the
ACTIVITIES of remodeling the old
house, bringing out it's latent
beauty and making it comfort
able and attractive. But she
had lost her right to any part
nership in the place; they
would be glad to have her if
she wanted to stay, but she
knew forlornly that Greg didn't
want her, and she could not
bear to do anything that might
make Greg uncomfortable or
dissatisfied. Now that Paul was
coming back, now that there
would be money for farm ma
chlnery, Greg and Paul could
run the place with all ease in
the world. And she, herself.
must go back to her independ-
ence which suddenly seemed
nothing less than desolate lone
illness and heart hunger.
Her feet had carried her
without her being aware of any
Intention, to the little house.
and for a moment she looked
at it through a shining mist of
tears. She was lost in bitter
sweet dreams when, like a con-
tlnuation of her dream, the
door opened and Greg came out
on the flat steps.
For a moment, so sure was
she that she was merely mag
ming all this, that she smiled
at him TREMENDOUSLY, and ven
put out her hand to him in a
little, lovely gesture of sur
render. But when he took a step
toward her and the mist clear
ed from her eyes and she saw
that he was real, she was in
stantly on guard.
"Oh-hello," she said lameIv.
hurrying to say the first words
that came to her mind. II was
taking a walk"
$50 was l." said Greg, and
his mouth was tight and his
eyes bitter. 81 haven't liked
myself much these last few
days. Thought I'd try to come
to terms with myself, even
though I can never hope to
make peace with you, after the
way I've treated you"
Gail had the startled feeling
that she had taken a step in
the dark and plunged into
space. The solid earth seemed
to have been whipped from un-
der her feet and she could only
stare at him, her eyes wide in
the drained pallor of her face.
II don't blame you," said
Greg grimly, misinterpreting
her bewildered establishment.
II deserve nothing but to have
you turn your back on me and
refuse ever to speak to me
again. I have been lower than
a ducks belly, going around
heaving nasty words at you
and trying to kid myself they
didn't hurt me more than you.
I'd like, though, just to tell you
that I'll never get over being
ashamed and feeling that I
should be shot, because I didn't
have sense enough to know that
a girl with eyes like yours
couldn't possibly be anything
but the finest, sweetest, most
honest creature alive"
Her whisper came, small,
broken, a mere breath.
"Greg!"
He took a step closer to her
a look of dawning wonder in
his eyes. But before he could
touch her, he thrust his hands
deep in his pockets and turned
sharply away. -
Don't cry, darling" he said
huskily. 81 don't deserve it. But
I loved you, Gail. I love you
now. I'll always love YOU"
Gail said unsteadily, Then
then that's all that matters,
Greg"
For a stunned moment he
stood stock-still and then he
turned on her sharply, his face
quite white behind his sun
bronze.
"What did you say?" he ask