Radio romances (July-Dec 1945)

which he left that morning — excited, stimulated by new dreams of new worlds to conquer, always looking for the fresher, greener pasture. It was about eleven o'clock that the boss came to my desk. I sensed something even before I looked up and saw his face. "I've got bad news for you, Nancy," he said in a low voice. "It's Woodie — he's been hurt — badly, I'm afraid." I gave a sort of gasping sob. No words would come. "I'll take you to the hospital," Mr. Brody went on. And feeling unable to move, I still found I was moving, supported by his arm, hurrying out to the car at the curb, trying to listen to what he said as we started toward the hospital. "He was struck by a car, Nancy. It wasn't the driver's fault — Woodie was crossing against the lights and he — well, he Was in too much of a hurry. He was — overexcited, according to the people who saw it happen. You know what I mean?" Yes, numbly, I knew. I knew too well. When Woodie was in that mood, nothing could stop him from going where he wanted except — except — "Will he— live?" "I don't know, Nancy. I don't know. He's in the operating room now — they'll do all they can." He reached out and patted my hand. "It seems as if, in a way, something like this was bound to happen to Woodie. Being the way he was — " Being the way he was, perhaps it was inevitable. I don't know. Perhaps the way a person is, does determine in some measure the things that happen to him. All I know is that I sat there in the hospital room beside that bandaged figure and thought, "No one is to blame. This just happened." Some day, perhaps, when doctors know more about these things than they do now, we'll be able to say, instead of "This just happened", "This happened because of such and such . . •" "the way to cure it absolutely and forever is so and so . . ." Then there will be no more fearing, groping in the dark for people like Woodie and those who love them. But for me, waiting there beside Woodie, there was no such comfort. I could only feel that whatever could be done for him had been done, and now there was nothing to do but wait.. If he recovered from his injuries, I would still be there, waiting to take care of him; I knew that for certain now. And if he didn't recover . . . that was a thought I would not admit into my mind. I could only wait. f~)NCE he opened his eyes and smiled *-* at me. I put my hand in his and he murmured, "Darling — I'm glad you're here." Half an hour later, with my hand still in his, Woodie died. Tomorrow I am leaving Wilton for good. There is nothing for me here now. There has never been anything for me here — except the deep lessons I have learned, and maybe they are the most important things of all. I know that Woodie died believing in my love, and that my lie was justified. I know that as far as I was able, I never let him down. And I know that whatever lies ahead now, I can be unafraid to meet it because Don and I, together, proved that love is more than that feeling — no matter how allencompassing — between one man and one woman. Love can build but not destroy. And our love built a refuge for Woodie where he was safe until he died. Dura-Gloss nail polish is fresh with sparkle, high with color, like a rose. A special ingredient, Chrystallyne, gives Dura-Gloss its exceptional brilliance, and makes it stay on, and on,< and on. Get this wonderful, quick-drying polish today, enjoy its long-lingering beauty. At all cosmetic counters, 10fS plus tax, Something New Dura-Gloss Nail Polish Dryer — dries poish faster. 10(* plus tax £**** OSSt*^ 16 Exciting Shades Copr. 1945, Lorr Laboratories, Paterson, N. J. Founded by E. T. Reynolds 73