THE SEMI-MOh THLY MAGAZINE SECTION
THE REACTION
f
.sew
WHEREIN LOVE FUMBLES AND FINDS AWAY
Ty MABEL HERBERT URNER,
Jllusiraiions vu HJlr,
THERE WAS ONLY .something I could
do," bitterly, "some way I could liulp."
"And aren't you doing just that now?"
lie shook liis head. "No. this ilm.n'f
help much. It 's n momentary diversion, perhaps
nothing more."
"Hut isn't that something even u momentary
diversion? After all, our lives are made up of
moments, and if one can make some of them
pleasant . . ."
"Ah, hut this way tho proportion's so small 1 If
you would only let mo "
Sho smiled at him wistfully, "I thought we were
not to talk of that?"
"I know," with frowning impatience. "But it's
hard to stand by quietly and see you give to some
one who doesn't valuo it what I
"No," sho interrupted quickly. "You 'vo no right
to say that that ho does n't value it."
"Would his absence and silenco imply that ho
does?"
"You're- taking advantage of my confidence! I
shouldn't havo told you. I knew that at the time,
and yet I had to tell some one 'and there 's no one
else I can trust."
"Hut you can't expect me always to keep silent
you ask too much."
Tho waiter came up now, cleared the table and
brought their cotTee.
Ho glanced at his wateh. "Come, change your
mind about tho theater! Let me tako you some
where. It's only a quarter of eight; we still have
time."
Sho shook her head.
"How about a concert? Wo needn't stay it
through."
"No, I 'd rather go home."
"To bo there in case ho should telephone,"
harshly.
She Hushed hotly and half rose from her chair.
"Ah, 1 only hurt you!" hopelessly. "1 can't help
it somehow. You're right I'd better tako you
home."
"Hut not in that spirit;" tho Hush had passed
now. "1 'in not going to 'let any bitterness come
between us. It 's purely selfish on my part 1 need
your friendship too much," with a little catch in her
voico.
Tho street seemed chill and
bleak after tho brilliantly lighted,
overheated restaurant. IIo mo
tioned for a cab.
TVTO, let 's walk, at least part
A of tho way. It always
helps mo to walk more than
anything else. If wo can walk
until I'm physically exhausted,
1 may sleep tonight. I have n't,"
hervoico quivered, "not for many
nights."
IIo pressed tho hand that lay
lightly on his arm. "Poor little
girl."
"Ah, don't pity mo 1 And yet,"
musingly, "I suppose that 'a what
I want pity, or at least sym
pathy, or 1 shouldn't havo told
you. And I used to think I was
strong, proud and independent!"
They wero soon at tho cntranco
of her apartment hotel.
"Let mo go up for a littlo
while, Katherino. I don't like
to think of you. spending tho
long evening alono in this mood."
He had not realized how very
palo and wan sho looked, until
sho laid asido her hat and leaned
back in n big chair by the stand
light.
Katherine read his
Ihotights, for she smiled
and pushed the light ;t
little away from her.
"Don't you want to
read to me?" she asked
after a while. "That
will be easier than to
talk."
He took up a maga
zine and turned tlirougb
it carelessly.
"An article on 'City
Parks'?"
Sho shook her head.
" 'How Micky Licked
the Boss; A Story of
East Side Politics.'
Would you caro for
that?"
"Oh, no no!"
"Aren't you a little
difficult f 'Tho Sub
structure,' a short story
by Edith Twine West
cott." "You might try that."
He smiled, "I thought
Katharine' tenio breathing wu the only lound In the moment's wait
so," and drawing a chair nearer the light, he began
the story.
A sharp ring came from tho telephone. Kath
erine started violently, with a littlo inarticulate cry.
As she ran across the room, he caught a glimpse
of her face, transfigured with joy and expectancy.
"Hello hello 1" quiveringly.
"Oh, Mrs. Bishop!" and the words were liko a
h. ut-sick wail.
"Tomorrow for luncheon? I'm afraid I
1 'in not at all well havo a very bad cold.
think I can go out for several days."
"Is she? Oh, that will make it very nice!"
"Yes."
"Yes, I will. Oood-bye."
She camu back to her chair with a face so white
that ho was frightened, but he made no comment.
IIo went on with the story, although he knew as
sho leaned back with closed eyes that she heard
can't.
Don't
SaalaB fKMB l,
jHaaalBff 4 B99BbSK
"You will never be alone again
no word of it. Nor did ho himself know what he
read. He was thinking how many times a day
that pitiful little tragedy must be enacted. How
every time the telephone rang, she would rush to
it with her heart in her throat only to meet with
sickening disappointment.
CTILL he read on. It was easier to read than
J not, just then. Suddenly she leaned forward,
her hand on his arm, her eyes dark with excitement.
"Will you do something for me?"
He laid down tho magazine.
"Will you telephone to his hotel now? Just
to see if lie 's in town 1 don't even know that."
It was several moments before ho answered. IIo
was looking down at the magazine, slowly tearing
off a strip of margin.
"Are you sure you want me to do that, Kath
erine?" "Yes yes, ho will never know! The telephone
girl at the hotel knows my voice; but she doesn't
know yours."
There was another silence. She watched him
tensely, as he lore oft another strip of margin.
"I'll do this, Kntherine, if you really wish it.
But; "
"You would rather not?"
"For your sake, I would rather not. 1 can't bear
to think of your resorting to any little subterfuge
to hear from him. Can't you realize, Kntherine,
that if ho loves you, ho will come to you? And if
ho doesn't love you do you want him to come?"
"Oh, I know 1 know! It's undignified
unwomanly even ! 1 should n't havo asked you.
But I'm almost desperate; I feel I can't bear it
much longer."
His only answer was to cover the hand that still
lay on his arm. He took up tho magazine again.
Even as he read, he could see her lying back palo
and listless. He finished tho story and put it down.
She looked up and smiled. "It was very nice of
you to read to me."
He made an impatient gesture. Then he rose.
"I think I'll go now, Katherine. It seems so
useless to stay. I 'in so powerless to do anything
that can help."
"Ah, don't say that! You have helped a great
deal."
He shook his head, picked- up his hat and cane,
and held out his hand.
"I '11 call you up tomorrow. I 'd like to hear
from you every day for a while no And if
there's anything I can do "
(Continued on Page 10)
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