The House of Toys Part 36

But it was long enough. In those few minutes he went up out of the valley again and stood with her on another mount. And to him, too, came the free will to renounce; and understanding. Sorrow abode with him still, an exquisite pang that was to leave a lasting scar. But in his heart glowed a strange fire--as if for some splendid victory--lighted only for that hour, it may be, but revealing to him what he had found; a love that had not failed, that asked nothing, able to triumph over all things, even itself. It was so he had dreamed love might be. He was glad he had found it. He was glad of the cup it had put to his lips. He was the richer for her. He would be the richer for seeing her go. He hoped that the sorrow would never quite pa.s.s out of his heart, that the love would never shrink to a mere memory.

He lifted shining eyes to hers.

"Now I understand! Some things aren't worth all they cost. What I wanted last night is one of them. But this--I would not be without it, even though--"

"Nor would I."

Tears were gemming her eyes once more. But they were not sorrowful tears and they did not fall.

It was time for her to go. The hands that had not ceased to cling fell apart. She went slowly across the room.

At the door she lingered a moment, looking back. Through the streaming mist he saw her face, bright in the white glory of renunciation. She smiled . . . and was gone. . . .

The same brightness was upon him. But he did not know that. He stood on the mount to which she had led him, still seeing her. And still there were no regrets. To him was coming the strength he was to need, a faith in himself that was to tide him over many gray morrows. It was a very high place, the peak of his life. Ever afterward he was to look up to that hour.

That evening came Shirley, summoned by Mrs. Jim. But the nurse turned her back at David's door. He had fever and the dreaded infection had set in. There must be no excitement. So Shirley must wait. Two days more she had to wait, anxious days during which she learned fast. On the third the nurse raised the embargo for a few minutes, and Shirley, breathless and afraid, went to the door through which the other had gone.

He was ready for her coming. His only dread was that she might see what he must never let her know. He had a deep pitying tenderness for her, to whom love had appeared only as a pretty toy.

She halted uncertainly at the door. He saw that she doubted her welcome.

"David, do you still want me to come?"

"Come, Shirley."

She went quickly to him and knelt by his side, and kissed him.

"Dear, I wanted to come. I couldn't stay away. And it wasn't because you gave me a choice. Won't you believe that, David?"

"I believe that, Shirley."

"You only said, 'Come.' Don't you really want me? Do you think that after a while, when I've learned all I have to learn--and proved what I have to prove--you will be glad that I came?"

"I am glad now."

He touched the pretty gleaming hair caressingly.

"I believe you are! And they said--oh, David!"

She caught his hand and pressed it to her cheek.

Then he saw that she had come to the threshold of her house of toys and stood looking out, trembling and frightened before the bigness of the real world. He was staggered by that. She had come to the door too late; for if she fared forth, she must go alone and untaught through a country whose loneliness he had known. He must save her from that. He could not give her the one thing which could companion her through those arid wastes. The tender protective impulse surged stronger to his aid.

Gently he sought to lead her back into her playhouse.

"Shirley, I have a confession to make. While you were gone St. Mark's decided to build. I submitted some plans and--they were accepted. Do you like my surprise?"

"Then you can go back to your profession. I am glad of that."

"It's a big commission, Shirley. Almost as big as St. Christopher's would have been. We'll be rolling in wealth--for us."

"You won't have to worry any more. I am glad of that, too."

She was resisting, looking back toward the still open door and the prospect beyond. It had frightened her, but it had thrilled her, too.

Anxiously he pointed inward.

"It means more than that. If I've done pretty well--and I'm sure I have--it will bring a lot more work. We can have all the things our mouths used to water for. We'll move into a very nice apartment at once, and have a maid, maybe a nurse for Davy Junior. We'll take on the club again--think of hearing the crack of a good drive once more!

There'll be theaters and concerts, with a taxi on rainy evenings. And when we're settled in that new apartment we're going to give a beautiful dinner to celebrate our return to the surface. My stars!

can't you see our guests' eyes popping? And when the first check comes in from the St. Mark's people I'm going to buy you--let's see, what _shall_ I buy you?-- Pinch me, please. When I think of it I can't quite realize that it's true. Isn't it bully, Shirley--dear?"

"Of course," she said slowly. "But somehow those things--they seem so--so little, now I have you back. Do they really mean so much to you, David?"

"You've come back--that's the great thing, of course. And there'll be no worries to make things hard for us, no penny-pinching and discontent, no--misunderstandings. Don't you see? It's the whole thing. And so--" He tried to laugh gaily, but an echo was in his heart. "And so the story ends happily."

For a little a question rested in her eyes. His laugh, trailing off into huskiness, puzzled her, vaguely hurt her. She sighed. Then habit began to prevail. The poor little sentimental regret for this sudden prosperity died. Her eyes rested on the pretty new toys tricking out her house. And as she looked the door closed softly, shutting her in forever. She did not know.

"Do you know, I was almost sorry for a minute? I hardly know why. It is better this way. We'll have to go back to believing in fairies, shan't we?"

Her eyes were dancing. Happiness tinted her velvety cheeks. All that she saw was good.

"Oh, David, I believe we're going to be happier than ever before!"

THE END