Indianapolis Times, Volume 38, Number 234, Indianapolis, Marion County, 5 January 1927 — Page 11

JAN. 5, 1927

For Those Who Did Not Read “Sonia” the Following Complete Synopsi; Has Been Specially Written and Is Herewith Presented for the First Tim<

SONIA

Editor’s Note—This synopsis of “jSonia” has been specially written for those who have not read the story. “The Sequel to Sonia” is a separate story, which does not require the reading sis this synopsis, but to better acquaint yourself with the characters around whom it is written we'advise its reading.) In the little town of Stockton, Cal., Sonia Marsh, 17-year-old daughter of Sam Marsh, grocery clerk, was considered wild by the mothers of the young set because she smoked cigarettes and acted sophisticated. Her reputation was utterly ruined, however, when Mrs. Maine caught Sonia kissing Joe Carter in the dark cloak room at a party for Mrs. Maine’s daughter Sidney. Indignant at Mrs. Maine’s rebuke, Sonia left the party without explaining that this was her first kiss and that she had done* is merely as an experiment. When she reached home Sonia did not tell her parents the reason she had left the party so early but passionately declared that she would not stay in Stockton any longer and that she was going to San Francisco to secure a position whether her parents approved or not. The next day Sonia, delivered a dress to Mrs. Stillwater for her mother, as Mrs. Marsh was forced to use her art as a dressmaker to help make the family living. Mrs. Stillwater being absent from home -Sonia gave tlhe dress to her son, Donald, who recently had graduated from medical college. An Old Acquaintance Is Revived Don, hardly able to realize thatthis was the little Sonia March that he used to know, invited her into the house, where they had a 10-ng* talk. Sonia told him of her dreams of going to the city to secure a position and Don promised to get her a position with his uncle, a realty man of San Francisco. He also promised to win her parents over to the plan of her leaving. Sonia cheerfully returned home after her talk with Don and learned that her father and mbther had just heard of the kissing episode of the night before. With smiles, Jears and the promise never to do it again she finally won forgiveness. A i week later when returning from a visit with her sister Vera, which thoroughly disgusted Sonia with married life, she met Dr. Don Stillwater, whoXpld her that he had secured her the' position he had promised and that she could leave for San Francisco as soon as she cared to. Sonia hurried home, told her mother, and that evening Don secured her father’s consent for her to accept the place. Sonia received several proposals Before she left Stockton, but, thoroughly disgusted with the mediocricity in which most of the married couples she knew had fallen, and tilled with dreams of the future, she scarcely gave them a thought. Sonia Takes Her Job and Makes New Friends Sonia went straight to the office of Jed Thomas, Don’s uncle, when she arrived in San Francisco. She was puzzled by the cool way in which he received her. However, the head of the bookkeeping department, Maxine La Rue, was very kind to her, helping her out with her books, which she found to be more difficult than she had anticipated. The first week in San Francisco, Sonia was very homesick. Then the girls at the offic\began to recognize her. “Hello, Sonia,” fell like manna upon her ears. She found that her trick of smoking cigarets by dangling them from her mouth was fully appreciated. Her air of independence and selfsufficiency won its own reward. ' Sonia spent her evenings alone, but found many things to do. She started swimming, went to parks and to moving picture theaters, where she gloated over the gorgeous costumes on the screen and vowed to herself that she would be just as gorgeously gowned some day in the near future. At the end of the first month she had acquired enough skill in bookkeeping to let her mind wander to other things. “The dangers of the big city? There aren’t any,” quoth the disillusioned Sonia. "No old maid in a walled garden could be safer from adventure than I am.” t / Men and Heel., Red Wine The next day Maxine asked her to a party at her apartment. "Men and red, red wine,” she promised laughingly. Sonia accepted and met Walter Henderson and Bertie Donohue, two men from the office. After the party, which was a rather tame affair, she thought, she longed for the clean masculinity of the boys of her set at Stockton. She was strangely disappointed with the men she had met. Sonia found that the party at Maxine’s had completed her initiation at the office. She was accepted now as one of “the gang.” Bertie, true to the promise he had made at Maxine’s party, asked her to let him take her to a show. Not wishing to anger him because he worked at the offlice, Sonia accepted. After the theater they got Maxine, who had quarreled that night with Mac Macgregor, her married lover, and went to Giandujas to dance. At Gianduja’s Sonia met Franklin Crane, salesman for the company in whose offices she worked. She learne'fl from Maxine that Crane went on periodic sprees which kept him away from the office for d.ays at a time. Never-the-less Sonia was deeply infatuated with liim and watched for him at the office. Sonia Moves to • laxine’s Apartment Maxine, after her quarrel with ac, begged Sonia to come and live

By Vida Hunt

with her at her apartment on Russian Hi/ After she found out that she would not have to pay any more at the apartment than she had to for the drab little room at the Y. W. C. A., Sonia accepted. After a few days Franklin Crane showed up at the office and explained to Sonia that he had been kept away on business or he would have looked her up before. He made a date with her for that evening. The rest of the day Sonia felt as if she was floating on a rosy cloud. All the world seemed bright and gay to her. But she successfully hid her feelings from Franklin. The evening seemed eternal. To be held lightly but possessively close to his heart seemed to be the heaven she had heard her father talk about. Green eyes half closed, she danced with him again and again. She seemed to have lived all her llfq-just to come to this moment in his arms. “God, girl, but you can dance,” he said. She could not tell him that it was because she had been a part of him — long years before the world began. While they sat at their table between dances he told her of his life an<f travels. H e told her of his invalid mother and explained that it was because of her that he was absent from the office so much. A light began to dawn upon Sonia. She had never really believed that he was tlie drunkard Maxine said he was. Now she understood. How cruelly he had been wronged by the slanderous tongues at the office. A Refusal Makes an Enemy The following evening Bertie, whom Sonia thoroughly disliked, insisted on coming to the apartment to see her. To get him away from the apartment where Maxine was nearly sick from worry over the quarrel she had had with Mac, Sonia consented to take a ride with him. On the way back to the apartment Bertie attempted to kiss her. He stopped when she threatened to walk home if he continued in such manner. Furious at the rebuff, Bertie told Sonia that Franklin Crane was a rotter, who was drunk half of the time and only h/eld his positimin. because his father had been an intimate friend of Jed Thomas and because of his mother’s large fortune. The evident truth of these statements infuriated. Sonia. “Take me home,” she ordered, “as fast as you can. Never mentii n Franklin Crane to me again or slander him. If you do I’ll tell him.” When she entered the apartment she found Maxine clad in black satin and with eyes glowing. “Sonia, Mac called me up just aftei' you left, and he’s coming right over to spend the evening. Everything is O. K.” A “Good Catch” On the Horizon The following day after the affair with Bertie, Walter Henderson, whom she had met at Maxine’s party, asked to be allowed to call on her that evening. Sonia gave her consent because she thought it would stop the gossip going the rounds of the office about the attention that Franklin Crane was paying to her. When Maxine learned of the engagement she stated that Henderson would be a good catch for any girl, as he is "fairly wallowing in money.” “Sonia dancing in a silver gown with emeralds on her white hands." Like a flash, Sonia remembered her dreams before coming to San Francisco. Walter Henderson was anew type to Sonia. He was about 40 years-old and very masterful, as one who knows the power of money. Everything seemed “open sesame” when he spoke. She liked to go out with a man so sure of himself. She told him about Stockton and of the opinion they had of her back home. She also told him her idea of morals. “That one should be a good sport and play the game, taking his losses,” she smiled, "like a gentleman. This is my idea of morals, as near as I can express it.” Henderson warned her that “shhe eHnderson warned her that “she continued to room with Maxine. This hurt Sonia and made her uneasy, but Henderson would explain no farther. When they arrived at the apartment Henderson attempted to kiss Sonia, but thinking of Frahklin Crane, she refused Him. A Visit and a Salary Increase Hearing someone call her name at the office the next morning Sonia looked up and saw her father coming toward her. She had never realized until she saw him just how homesick she was. ' Her father explained that not being able to wait any longer to see her he had secured a two-day leave from the grocery and had come straight to San Francisco. Sonia regretfully cancelled an engagement with Crane that night to be with her father. After her father had left the next day, Sonia was called into Jed Thomas’ office and told in a colorless way that she was to receive a raise of $5 a week and to say nothing' about it to any one in the office. Sonia’s joy over her raise was short lived. Bertie, whom she detested, insisted on knowing why she refused his invitations and stated that it was because of her infatuation with Crane. * Angered by this Sonia told him she would go out with him no more but she would be friendly with him when circumstances threw them together. “You’ll regret the way you’ve treated me,” he cried out, his face livid. “You’ll see, my pretty lady! The time will come when you will be glad to accept a favor from me.” A Kiss and New Interest in Life This threat made Sonia mentally shiver. She accepted Crane’s Invitation to

V A Story of Dangerous Love

have dinner with him that evening but Bertie’s threat took the thrill out of the thought. After the dinner and a long ride with Crane, they returned to the apartment. He suddenly took her in his arms and kissed her. She was shaken, dizzy with happiness. “Do you love me Sonia?” he breathed. “I love you so much,” she answerd, "that all my life that has been without you has been wasted.” After he was gone, Sonia went to bed and lay there tingling with emotion. She remembered Maxine’s words of the previous Sunday. “A girl is a fool to care about any man.” “But that was because she was feeling low,” decided Sonia. "I’m not the weak kind who is afraid to love. I’ll take my chances. Why should I hold back and protest girlish reluctance? Sink or swim—in this as in everything else. I love him and I’m not afraid.” The following Sunday Franklin and Sonia drove to Pirate’s Cove and stayed all day. “I suppose,” he said gloomily on the way back,” that wfc will never be so happy again.” When Sonia asked him to explain his pessimistic remark he said, “It isn’t pessimistic. It’s God’s truth. Few things in the world are perfect. And the relations of men and women seem particularly subject to disaster.” Months after Sonia remembered his warning. The next day Crane came to the office and on seeing Walter Henderson talking to Sonia left immediately without speaking to her. This hurt Sonia. ' That night Henderson called on Sonia at the apartment unexpectedly and departed angrily when she was indifferent to his advances. When Sonia told Maxine about it Maxine again told her about Franklin Crane’s dissipations and stated that Henderson was worth two of Crane. Very angry at this, Sonia would not listen to Maxine’s pleading. A Malden and Her Hero All through the autumn Sonia was dazzled by the glamour of her first romance. Life did not exist, save as it was related to Franklin. shopped with him in her mind, read stories with him as the gallant hero, swept and ducted the apartment for the moment that he would arrive. Even at work or lunching with the girls he sat beside her shaping her opinions and coloring her desires. And in all that time his appearance at the office was as regular as her own. Sonfa, thriving on happiness, could feel herself growing sweeter and more reasonable. Love was developing unselfishness in her. She began to have real affection for Maxine. Her mother wrote asking if she could not arrange to come home for Christmas. After finding out that Franklin was going to spend Christmas with his mother in Los Angeles, Sonia decided to go home. She began to be conscious then of a secret longing to see her mother. The day before she left Jed Thomas called her into his office and asked her to convey his best wishes to her mother and father. This greatly puzzled Sonia and Maxine, for Thomas had never paid that much attention to any other girl in the office. That night while Sonia was waiting for Franklin at the apartment Henderson called and gave her a beautiful emerald ring for a Christmas present. Sonia wanted to keep it, as she had always dreamed of emerald rings on her white hands, but, thinking of Franklin, she refused it. While they were arguing the matter Franklin arrived. He was very angry at finding Henderson there, quarreled with Sonia and angrily left. About an hour later he returned and begged forgivenness, saying that jealousy had caused him to act in such a manner. He then gave Sonia a wrist watch for a Christmas present. A Proposal From Henderson While Sonia was at home Christmas Walter Henderson came to Stockton to see her. He asked Sonia to marry him. She refused. Her positive denial did not seem to discomfort him. He asked her to give the matter as much consideration as she would a business proposition. She promised to do so. Henderson accompanied Sonia to church, where sh© was very proud of him. Let them see the sort of a man that came from San Francisco to find her. Hq was distinguished looking even there, and doubly so in Stockton. After 'the services he left with the promise that he was to have his answer soon. The same day Sonia was talking to one of her high school friends, Sidney Maine. "Sonia, do you know a salesman named Franklin Crane?” Sidney asked. At the sound of that name the blood rushed to Sonia’s face. She gulped an indistict answer. "The reason I asked,” continued Sidney, serenely, “hels engaged to a cousin of mine.” “Not Franklin Crane?” Sonia cried sharply. “Yes. She has a ring. I met him myself a long time ago. Genevieve wrote that they were invited to a Christmas party in Los Angeles together.” So Franklin had lied to her! The world reeled about Sonia. She heard Sidney's voice as if it were coming for a great distance. When Sonia's father asked her to explain her sudden depression she burst into tears, but would tell nothing. Confession and a Plea Sonia hurried back to Son Franeleco. She must see Franklin at

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

once. The first day at the office he did not show up. *• That evening Maxine told Sonia that Mac MacGregor, her lover, was a married man. Sonia was very much shocked but told Maxine that she did not blame her. She then told Maxine of Franklin's engagement. The next evening Franklin and Sonia went riding and Sonia asked him about the engagement. “It’s true,” he groaned. Sonia said nothing. She had been sure enough of it, but his own admission made it more - sickeningly definite. After talking for some time, Franklin assuring her that he loved but her, Sonia told him that she could forgive him if he would break the engagement and marx'y her. This Franklin refused to do. He stated that the shock of it would kill his mother. Sonia then told him that everything was off between them. Henderson called soon after Sonia’s return to the apartment and again asked her to marry him. Staring at his broad, well tailored shoulders, Sonia felt that he could never become distasteful to her. He was too well bred to inflict himself upon her when he felt he was unwelcome. She craved a surcease from suffering, an anasethetic to deaden her pain. Might she not bo able to find it In his home? She thought so. "There would be no thrill to it,” she thought sadly, “but at least* there wouldn't be this wracking torment.” “Will marry me. Sonia, even if you don’t love me as I want you to?” Henderson asked. “I think I will,” she 'whispered. "But don't mention it to anyone yet. I will finish the month at the office and then if we are both still of the same mind I will maffj’ you immediately.” Sonia Clings to Franklin After a weeks’ absence from the office Sonia found Franklin waiting for her at the apartment door New Year’s eve. He asked her to give up the thought of marrying Henderson and promised that if his mother got better or died that he would break his engagement. Sonia promised to do this but she would not break the date that she had with Henderson for that evening. She went to a New Year's party with Henderson end came back at dawn, dead tired. The next day when Henderson called for tea Scnla told him that she could not go on with their bargain. Very much hurt he took his leave but told her that if she ever changed her mind to come to him as his offer would be open always. Sidney Maine stopped In San Francisco the next day on her way back to school to do some shopping. She told Sonia that Dr. Don Stillwater was in San Francisco. She also said that Lou’s mother approved of the interest that Don had taken in securing Sonia a job. She said that Mrs. Stillwater had defended Sonia’s actions in Stockton saying that she had never had a chance and that she hoped that Sonia would make good In the city and live up to Don’s expectations. The winter weeks slipped by In a dream to Sonia. She lost all sense of time during the first month of the year. She was surprised when the office calendars said February. Her days had been spent in working in dreamy preoccupation. Her nights before the fire in the apartment or dancing always in the arms of Franklin. She had purchased silver brocaded cloth and her mother had made her an evening' dress. All that she needed now was Henderson's emerald so make her dream come true. The evening she wore her new dress Franklin asked her to spend the week-end with him alone in his shack In Marion County. Treading on the Danger Line Delicious shivers raced up and down Sonia’s spine. But she answered slowly, “We don’t want to be indiscreet." "If you loved me you wouldn’t think of that,” Franklin argued. “Why not? We are going to be married aren’t we?” But Sonia refused. She would go, she said. If Maxine and Mac were invited to go along as chaperones. Franklin finally agreed to this plan. It was arranged that the party would he held at Franklin’s shack the following week-end. The next night while at a picture show Sonia saw Franklin with Genevieve Erickson, the girl he was engaged to. Unlike Sonia had imagined her, she was young, beautiful and had a charming personality. Sonia had hardly reached home until Franklin came. Sonia, sick with jealousy, told him that he would have to choose between his fiancee and herself at once, because she could not stand his engagement with Genevieve any longer. After a battle of words he told her that there was ho choice as he loved but her and that he would get out of his engagement as soon as possible. Sonia w r as not satisfied with this but being afraid of losing him she let him have his way. Later that night she told Maxine that she was worried about the future. Don Tells Sonia Ho Is Going Abroad The following day Don Stillwater came to the office to see Sonia. They greeted each other warmly and something kind in his big firm grasp, made Sonia cling to his hand. After a chat about Stockton, Don told Sonia that he was going to Berlin for a year’s study before he opened his office in San Francisco. When Sonia told him that she would be busy over the week end, Don said that he would call her later. When Don had gone, Franklin called Sonia on the telephone. He told her that owing to his mother having a sudden heart attack it would be impossible for them to have the week-end party at his shack in Marin County. The disappointment of this caused Maxine and Sonia to quarrel. Maxine declared that Franklin’s mother wasn’t sick but that he was on a spree. This made Sonia vary angry. Finally, after Mae Had called on Maxine and had laughed at

the quarrel, they decided to drop hostilities. With the week-end hanging heavy on her hands Sonia called up Dr. Stillwater. When she told him that the week-end party was off he suggested a hike into Marin County. Sonia accepted. She would spend Sunday in Marin County after all. The hike on Sunday was glorious. Nervous and mentally tired when they started out, Sonia found that the hike rested her and made her feel like anew person. While they were resting, Don told Sonia that lie loved her, that he had loved her since the day he had secured her a position with his uncle, Jed Thomas. Sonia did hot want to hurt Don by telling him that she did not love him, so she told him that their different stations in life made it impossible for them to marry. “I can’t believe you’d refuse me on that account,” he said, puzzled. “If I thought you really loved me I would never let that stand in fthe way. But I'm not sure. Do you love me, Sonia?” “Do you expect me to tell you that?” “Then do you?" “Perhaps." “You don’t?” She smiled. “Thii|k whatever you like. Marriage between us would bo impos-' sible.” She flattered herself that she Mid the scene rather well. A Long Rattle With Conscience After Don had taken Sonia home that evening and gone, Franklin came to see her. Ho told Sonia that the trip to his shack would be sure to go over the following week-end. Sonia explained that she was afraid that Mac and Maxine could not go with them because it would be hard for Mac to get away from his wife. Undaunted by this, Franklin declared that if Maxine and her lover could not go along, he would take Sonia and they woufll spend the week-end In his shack alone. After a long battle with herself Sonia refused to go cn the trip to Franklin’s shack. No amount of talking, tears, and pleading could change her decision. She was positive that siie would not go. She could not explain why. She thought of the faith her father had In her and then something else in her that did not seem a part of her, would not let her go. She went out to dinner that evening alone. While she was sitting In the restaurant Franklin entered with Genevieve Erickson. Sonia could not endure the thought of Franklin spending the week-end with his beautiful fiancee. So blind with mad jealousy she rushed home to phono Franklin that she would go on the trip after all. Just before the four started on the trip the next day, Franklin and Mac began to drink. They were going to the shack In Franklin’s mother’s big automobile. Inflamed by the drinks he had had Franklin speeded up the mountain road. When they came to a curve he lost control of the car and it leaped over an embankment. Tragedy Ends a Gay Party When Sonia became conscious she saw two men carrying something limp and soaked with blood. The world reeled and she fainted. When her vision cleared again she asked, “Was that Maxine?” By the stricken faces of Mac and Franklin she knew it was. “But she can’t be dead,” whimpered Sonia. “She was cuddled up in Mac’s arms just a moment ago.” But Franklin assured her that Maxine was dead. When the ambulance came, Sonia attempted to walk to It but fainted. When she regained consciousness a nurse was bending over her In the hospital. She began to mutter between her teeth. “What is It?” asked the nurse, bending over the bed. Sonia closed her eyes and repeated over and over again, “Dr. Don Stillwater. Send for Dr. Don Stillwater,” adding his uncle’s telephone number. At the sound of Don Stillwater’s name Sonia felt assured. He would straighten the tangled snarl she had gotten into. She fell back upon the pillows as- if she had already shifted the burden to his shoulders. Almost immediately she fell asleep. She awoke to darkness and comfort of his gentle hand. She lay quietly trying to gather strength to tell him everything. “Maxine’s dead... “I know.” At the awful memory of the scene on the mountain road she began to cry. Don comforted her and then she told him everything about the trip, how she had felt that they should not go and how wrong it was. She said that she had caused Maxine’s death. Don quietly told her that It was no one’s fault. “Am I badly hurt?” “Only bruised. Sonia. You’ll be all right in a few days.” He telephoned her parents at Stockton that she was all right and that they need not worry. Time after time that night she w.qs aroused from the verge of sleep to feel the car pitching over the embankment. —f Time after time the little nurse assured her that it was all over now. But was it? Sonia thought. For Maxine In the San Francisco morgue. It was Indeed over. But for her, bruised and tortured by remembrance, there might be years ahead. Sonia lacked the strength to face those years. Her self-confi-dence had been shattered. She was afraid. Franklin Hurts Sonia by His Weakness The next day Crane came to the hospital to see Sonia. Sonia, worried about the future, asked Franklin to marry ner immediately, as she wanted a home and the protection of a husband. Franklin laughed at the idea of respectability and told her that it would be impossible for him to marry her for some time to come. Disgusted with Franklin Crane’s weakness, Sonia decided to marry Don {Stillwater if he etUl wanted her. When Don came the next after-

noon Sonia tensely asked, “Would you marry me today? This afternoon? So I wouldn't have time to change my mind?” Don explained that it would not be fair unless she loved him, and that if she did love him there would be no danger of her changing her mind. Sonia told Don that she loved Franklin Crane, but that he was ( engaged to marry another girl and that he was not the kind of a husband that she needed. She stated that Don was the kind of man she needed. Finally Don agreed to marry her, but stated that he would be her husband in name only and that if she saw that she was not going to care for him that he would release her in a year. But if she came to care for him after a year they would live as man and wife. Sonia anil Don Are Married Four hours later a white faced Sonia was taking her marriage vows. The next day after her marriage Sonia met Franklin Crane while she was downtown shopping/ She hurried on and to tho hotel where she and Don were staying. Throwing herself on the bed she burst into tears. Don asked her to explain. Sonia told him of meeting Franklin and that she could not go on with their marriage and asked Don to release her. He refused. He said that she needed his help for the next year and that he was going to see that she got it. Hating a quitter Sonia agreed to stick in spite of the longing for Franklin. That night Don told Sonia that he was sailing for Berlin as soon as possible and that sho was to go home to Stockton and stay there for the next four months or until he returned from abroad. Finally Sonia agreed to this plan. Don was leaving for New York the next day, so Sonia moved back to the apartment for a few days so she could pack Maxine’s things and send them to her parents, resign at the office and arrange her affairs so she could return to Stockton. She thought that if Franklin loved her he would come to Stockton after her. Sonia was very happy. A New Realization Comes to Sonia When Don came to the apartment that night to tell Sonia good-by Sonia met him with the old challenge in her eves. “I’d give anything in the world if I could love you,’’ she cried passionately. Don swept her into his arms and Sonia responded to his kisses in a frightened way. They thrilled her in a way that she had never been thrilled before. She realized that she loved him. The thought cam© like a blow. She forgot Franklin Crane in tho ecstacy of Don's kisses. “My little wife,” Don cried. ‘Now you will go with me to Berlin.” “No,” Sonia said. “This has been so sudden that I want a little time to get settled to the fact that I love you. Four months will soon pass and I will he waiting for you.’’ After Don had gone and Sonia was in bed the door bell rang. To Sonia’.-, horror Franklin Crane, about half drunk, stepped In. She told ,him that everything between them was off and that she did not want to see him again. He left after a while, swearing that it was Henderson that was turning Sonia against him. The next day when Sonia went to the office to resign Franklin CrfLne accused Walter Henderson, before the whole office, of being the one who was taking Sonia away from him. Sonia left the office with Henderson and told him that she could not possibly marry him now. The shock of this seemed to make an old man of him. Afterward Sonia wished that she had been more explicit. She did not wish to hurt him. He had been good to her and she liked him. Franklin Breakes His Engagement Franklin phoned that night and she allowed him to come to see her. He told her that he had broken his engagement with Genevieve Erickson and that they could be married as soon as possible. If someone had thrust a knife Into her it would not have hurt Sonia any worse. If she had known about this only the night before. Now it was too late. He begged her to come with him to his cabin that night. “I can’t Franklin,” she said. “There’s a reason I can’t. I told you ” “No reason on earth can keep you from going,’’ he answered. “Unless you are already married.” “But I am,” she stammered with white lips. “You're married already?” She nodded, wondering dully if he meant to kill her. But he dropped her ruthlessly from his arms and swept out the door. A white night for Sonia! She lay on the davenport before the dying fire, consumed with loneliness and eaten by remorse. Franklin had played fair with her when she had least expected it. Her plan of evading him had worked too quickly. She was caught in her own trap. He had not given her a chance to explain to him that it was Don and not Henderson to whom she was married. Not that it would matter which man stood in his way. He would hate her just the same. Sonia Explains To Franklin The next day Sonia called Franklin up and made a date with him for lunchi She explained to him that it was Don, a home-town boy, whom she had married, and not Henderson as he thought. Never had she seen him so nervous. His hand shook like a leaf when he raised a glass to his lips. She withstood all his pleadings for her to stay in San Francisco the four months that Don was to be away. She was determined to go home. She promised, however, that as soon as Den returned to be released from her marriage and marry Franklin.

On the way to the ferry the next morning to catch a train for home, she bought a paper and learned that Walter Henderson had been found drowned that morning. She immediately thought that he had killed himself because she had refused to marry him. f * “Isn’t it awful?” she said to Franklin. “I had no idea that he cared like that.” “That’s your trouble," he answered. “You have no idea of the hell you are responsible for.” * She could not go home now. She had to be in San Francisco to see if anything developed. She could go home in a few days. She phoned her father at once. Sonia Gives Her Honor For Franklin Monday Franklin and she were summoned to the Inquest for Walter Henderson. She was surprised to see so many people there. Jed Thomas, Bertie, Franklin, another salesman, the dead man’s house keeper and the Italian fisherman who had found tho body. The little fisherman was the first witness. He told how he had found the body. The housekeeper explained that he had always been cheerful and never moody. As to the satisfactory state of his finances, Jed Thomas testified, augmented by the president of Henderson’s bank. A doctor testified that the body had been in the water approximately thirty-six hours. It was determined that death had occurred some time between 11:30 o’clock Thursday night and Friday morning. Sonia was called. She recognized the emerald ring found in Henderson’s pocket as the one he had offered her and told of their brief engagement. Bertie told of the quarrel Franklin Crane and Henderson had had the afternoon before tho night Henderson had died. Franklin stated as an alibi that he had spent the night of Henderson’s death in his cabin alone. Unable to prove it and seeing that he was in a trap he looked appealingly at Sonia. “I will tell everything," screamed Sonia. “Mr. Crane was not alone Thursday night. I went with him to his shack In Marin County.” “Where you remained all night?” she was questioned. “Yes.” She did not falter until they were outside and the photographers flashed their cameras toward her. Then her first bitter realization of what the lie had cost her came. . . . “Well wasn’t it typical that she should be thought guilty of something that she had not done?” In the afternoon she sent out for papers. She winced as she read the things that they said about her. "Beautiful Young Girl Confesses Love to Save Her Sweetheart.” “Admits Spending Night in Lover’s Shack.” “Lovers’ Tryst Exposed at Inquest.” One head line shouted, “Lover Lies to Save His Sweetheart’s Honor.” That brought a bitter smile. No Explaining to Don This Time She had not thought of Don. Now she could not explain. She cut out the clippings from ever paper and put them in a large envelope. In a large bold hand she wrote: “Don, there’s is no use. Not even you can keep me out of trouble. Am enclosing clippings that will tell the story better than I ffan. I take It that this frees both of us from all promises. But thanks, Don dear, for trying to help. . . Now the only thing that worried her was explaining that she had lied to the folks at home. That night Franklin called for Sonia and they drove to his shack. She passed the place where Maxine had died without fear or a shiver. The shock of the accident had been obliterated and she was herself again. When they arrived at the cabin she was trembling with emotion and excitement. Franklin did not attempt to touch her. He lighted a fire in the fireplace and they sa;: down on the davenport in front of it. Minutes were flying wasted without kisses. Tomorrow she would he gone. She knew that he was waiting for her to touch him. Unless sh© came to him he would taake her back to San Francisco. He was intent on proving the sincerity of his devotion as a reward for the sacrifice she had made. But his mouth was wistful, pleading without words. She moved closer and put her hand against his arm. He swept her to him crying: “I swore I would not touch you first.” The Fight Is Fnished As their lips met she knew the fight was finished. She had lost, but defeat was glorious. He whispered: “Sonia, we won’t go back.” Her arms crept higher about his neck. Iler eyes closed.... Contrary to her own expectations morning brought no regret to Sonia. Her heart sang. At last she had been brave enough to taake fate in her own hands. Should there come barren days and empty nights she had once known exquisite joy. Nothing could snatch the memory from her. / When Franklin asked anxiously, "Sorry Sonia?’’ she tossed her head and cried, "I’m glad!” When she reached her hotel that morning her ' sister, Vera, called from Stockton and told her that her father had shot himself after reading the newspaper account of the lie she had told to save Franklin. Paralyzed with remorse she scarcely khew what to do. She called Franklin and he came around In his car to drive her to Stockton. Sh© shivvered with horror. While she had lain in the arms of her lover last night her father had killed himself, had died believing her guilty. “And I am guilty now,” she moaned. “The one thing he was always afraid of lam guilty' of now.” Arriving at her Stockton she would not let Franklin come in. She told him that he must never try to see her again. The reason for her father’s death stood between them like ah angel with a ftsmin# eword. She dreaded to face her pjother.

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What, could she say? What exc could she make now? Slowly she opened the door, her mother did not reprove ner. mother, said it was all her fa How that could be Sonia could figure out. ; Her fathers death was the har< blow Sonia had ever exporion She could hardly realize that was never to he able to talk to again. Sonia’s Mother Makes a Confession After the funeral, which had h a family affair because of the sh: connected with it, her mother ca Sonia in her room to talk to “Now,” thought Sonia, "I will the reproach that. I deserve.” “Do not blame yourself too verely, Sonia,” her mother s “This is a punishment sent upon as a judgment.” Sonia shivered as her moth voice dropped in shamed admiss “Sam Marsh was not your ther!” “Whajt do you mean?” sweat Sonia. “Just that Sonia. I was unt to him when we were married. A Vera came I began to feel suffoci with monotony and poverty I lon for excitement. In my rebe against fate I turned against Sar grow so bitter, that I would not him touch me... Then there ci tho other tho other man. He was rich and well educated made love to me in a half mock restrained fashion that fascinated Before I realised it I was madlj love with him and every barrier 1 down. We met secretly in dayt —never at night—for one whole s mer." “It was only a summer's madi for him. Bu't to me it was ev thing- I was to have a child—j When ho went away sometl within me died. I went back to husband’s arms swearing no should ever know.” Sonia burled her face l her ha "Mother,” she whispered, "do I ki the man?” * / “It was Jed Thomas. The v next Christmas he married Don S water's aunt.” “Jed Thomas—my father?" girl cried, horrified. “He doesn't know it,” her mot concluded bitterly. “Please God never will.” After hearing of her mother's Sonia determined to return I to I Francisco Immediately. She’ w: ed to throw herself into her V and forget the past. Sonia Goes Back to San Francisco When she returned to San Fr cisco sh© found that because of notoriety caused by the Hender inquest she could not get back old position. Angry and uncertain about w to do, she went with Franklin Cr to his shack in Marin County. H the lovers stayed from Friday u Sunday. When they and San Francisco she founa a ca from Don saying that be was c lg home immediately. Her hunt for a position was successful. Each week-end she sp with Franklin in his shack. He c tinued to drink. One day soon after she had ceived the cable from Don, So discovered that she was to becom mother.' It did not scare her. i was rather proud of the faot. would be the emblem of her love Franklin. Don would underst: and release her. That evening Franklin stagge In drunk. His eyes were bloods and he had a hunted look, seemed to 'be afraid and came Sonia for protection. This ptun Sonia very much. “Please keep him away from ir Franklin whimpered, clinging Sonia. “Who? What?" questioned Sot "Walter Henderson,” answered terrified man. “I didn’t mean to him.” •Horrified at the confession of < man she had loved, Sonia pushed 1 from her and told him she ne wanted to see him again. After he had gone, Sonia fell the floor in a torture of anguish t horror. She had given him 1 honor, her reputation, had killed : father, she screamed aloud at thought, forrthis man who was a c fessed murderer. “O my God!” she walled, “I going to give birth 1 to a murder: child. 1 won’t! I’ll kill myself flrf She lost consciousness in ] misery. She heard someone come and looked to see Don. He picl her up and layed her on the be “I got your letter and clipping he was saying, "but I knew It v all untrue. So I came back’to h you.” Sonia Seeks Oblivion In Poison She wasn’t brave enough to m: a complete confession to him th She was just satsifled to have h there to comfort herd? He went < after a while to look for a bet place and arrange to have her thii moved from the shabby, dreary roc She couldn’t face him after way she had treated him. No, ! just couldn’t. She looked wil around for a means of escape. I eye fell upon a bottle of poison. Tl was It. Hero was the way out. f picked It up and drained It. When she gained conscious™ sho was In a hospital with Don ai iously bending over her. Thens told bim everything. “Sonia, my little wife,” he said, voice husky with love, "you w< Just a poor misguided girl. I v spent my life in trying to make y forget the mistakes you have mad Her love for him seemed to le out of her sorrow. It seemed to I the only pure tiling left In her li If she would just get well af taking the poison she would bo model wife. But Franklin’s unbo baby. She had forgotten it. Don guessing her thoughts, sa "The effects o fthe poison killed t baby, Sonia.” She was relieved beyond words ”1 love you Don, she whispered “Oh, my Sonia,” he answered, love you so.” “And we wen’t have got n ried,” Sonia, said bluahlng. M