Radio romances (July-Dec 1945)

not myself but another person whose every movement was an effort, whose every gesture brought pain. I stood by the bed a moment, looking down at Woodie's face in the light of the shaded bedlamp. He looked so young and, in his sleep, so helpless. Like a child worn out and happy from a day's play . . . I closed the door softly behind me and went into the living-room. I sat there in the dark, hardly moving, until the first light of dawn came against the windows. And when the day came, knowledge came with it. I knew then that I would never tell him. I knew that there are some things greater than love, even a love like Don's and mine. Responsibility, duty, honor — I couldn't put a name to it. Perhaps what I was acknowledging was made up of all those things and more. I had married Woodie Frazier, for better or worse, in sickness and in health. Ignorant, yes, of his history — but I had married him, believing that my response to the child in him was love. It was that child-like quality that needed me, that had made me think I loved him. Well, that child was still there — in the other room, asleep and helpless. Sometimes sick and sometimes well. But still needing. He hadn't changed. I had. And I knew what I was doing — not with pride or pity for myself, but with a cold evaluation of the facts. I was giving up the source of any true happiness I would ever know. I was facing a life in which I could be only part myself, deprived of children, deprived of real companionship, deprived of an adult love. Yet it was a sacrifice that must be made without remorse, a just sacrifice. And when my husband awoke, breakfast was ready and I was waiting. I cannot bear, even now, to think of the hour I spent with Don Colman the next day, in a secluded booth of a quiet restaurant, facing each other over a lunch that remained untouched. I cannot remembeV without pain the look on his face when I told him my decision — no, not mine but the decision that had somehow been made for me by forces out of my control — his outburst of disbelief, his accusation of unfairness, and then, slowly, his realization and acceptance. The sharpest memory of all is the way we looked bleakly at one another with eyes that held only misery. AND out of that bleakness, the way he said, "This is goodbye then, Nancy. I'm going to leave Wilton. I can't stay here any longer." And then he leaned across and covered both my hands with his. He even managed that slow, sweet smile as he said the words that will always be written on my heart. "If you ever need me, darling, if anything ever happens — I'll always be there, forever." He got up and left then, without a goodbye. It was better that way. And I watched as he got his hat from the checkroom girl, as he paused for a moment at the door, then straightened his shoulders and went out, not looking back. I watched as long as I could see him, impressing each line of his body, the color of his suit, the angle at which he wore his hat, indelibly upon my memory so that always I could call it up and see him as he was. Don resigned from the agency that afternoon and left Wilton that night. A few days later came a short note from a distant city, giving his address and wishing me well. That was all. \J\Wwu^mj LOVELIER HAIR FOR VOL mm :•'.. 'm Ke?:.:b: ■ "with one application of this Famous 3-WAY MEDICINAL TREATMENT Ann Dvorak, lovely Hollywood star, uses the famous Glover's overnight 3Way Treatment . . . and now you can give your hair new loveliness, new glamour! Prove it with your first overnight application. Glover's will brighten the natural color-tone of your hairgive it fresh, sparkling highlights— a new, soft, shining beauty! Today— try all three of these easy-to-use Glover preparations— Glover's original Mange Medicine— GLO-VER Beauty Shampoo — Glover's Imperial Hair Dress. Use separately, or in one complete treatment. Ask for the regular sizes at any Drug Store or Drug Counter— or mail the Coupon. FREE TRIAL SIZE-Send today for all three products in hermetically-sealed bottles, with complete instructions for the Glover's 3Way Treatment, and useful FREE booklet, "The Scientific Care of Scalp and Hair." Your Hair will be Lovelier with with massage for DANDRUFF, ANNOYING SCALP and EXCESSIVE FAILING HAIR » boo^et. J press. TREE FREE! Mail Coupon Now 71