THE HOUSE NOT FOR HER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 180, 2 August 1938, Page 19

THE HOUSE NOT FOR HER.

Short Story

AS the big picture faded out Sonia rt Watson gave a queer little sigh and glanced at Alec, whose handsome profile she could juet make out, dark against the [ink of the wall behind.

It was a film that made one think, somehow. Even though it was about nothing more than the struggles of a young couple for life of an" everyday kind together. They had been prepared to sacrifice so many of the things that other people prize, just for this end alone! Alec Oinlew w* s lighting a cigarette. Hi- wiis looking straight in front of him (ml !ii> thoughts seemed far awnv. A;uv ;i second, lie snicl lightly. • Wild eiiou.ih. dear , ; Or slm'll we stav for liiv rimedy?" N >ni;t shook her head mid they got up to »o. Alee took her nrm as tlipy' went mil into the street and walked towards the supper room where thev generally tinishe I their evenings. He still seemed it little remote, and she wondered what lie Wiis thinking about. Over supper in the bright room with the orchestra playing and a few couples nlieiidy drifting round, it was the same. Slie iind A'l-e appeared to have nothing t'i Miv to each other, a thing which 1,-[| !i.i!i;ien-.-l our; or twice" lately, i' ■■''■■'.! i! hud not silwnv* been so.

'i hey ii--'(1 t. hiivc so much to say! lmniinrral.il> tilings to discuss, apart fiMin .Nice's work in the insurance oflicp Soniu's own still more intriguing job .is divss designer. Why had all this suddenly come to an end?

As she ate her ice she caught Alee study ing her inquiringly. She coloured at something new and rather analytical in his eves.

"Well!" she challenged, "and what do you think of me? This is a ne%v frock I'm wcnf'mg, if you haven't happened to notice!" It was time he had Sonia thought to herself, aware of looking her best in the jarfp preen dress that showed up the whiteness of her skin and lit smouldering tawny lights in her dark hair. "Darlinjr. you always look perfect!" Tip nssured her with mock gravity. '•Only I was —just wishing you were not ipiite so competent and cool. So independent—Oh. 1 can't explain!" Sonia was looking nt him in surprise. Whit an extraordinary thing to have said! 'Why -not competent and cool?" she demanded. "Since I have my own livinjr to cam that's what I ought* to be, isn't There was a slight "edge to her voice. Hadn't she always-rathef-prided herself on her poise? ■■»■- .. Rather clumsily Alec began explaining that this business of competently earning her own living was what he didn't care about. He'd rather she wasn't doing it so well, getting wrapped up in it." He felt— "Don't be so silly, Alec!" Sonia cut him suddenly, short, fighting down the conviction that she knew what he was driving at. "It'e absolute nonsense you're talking! Do you want me. one of those eobby little clinging fools that can't do a things for themselves and have to have a man to save them every time? Why?—" She broke" off, realising that she had been really angry and was glaring at Alec across the table. He looked at her in surprise and his colour rose faintly. "All right, dear. I was only ing to—explain. Shall we dance noir.£ This is the Sundown Waltz." ■'{'"" She had been silly, Sonia 'thought. What was the matter with her to-night that she felt as if she was keeping tomething at bay? Taking out her compact, she powdered her face unsteadily. Then, with rather a wavering smile, she rose and slipped into Alec's arms, to be swung out on to the shining floor. ' •.- They had danced for ' too long together, and ,both with too great perfection, for there to be anything but harmony there.

It was midnight when they left the rooms, to find a warm dark night, dry underfoot, ttfirugh it had been raining when they went in. "Shall we walk to your place V Alec said. "You're not tired, are you?" Sonia shook her head. Alec often walked back "with her through the emptying streets. to the block of women's flatlets up Eustpn way where ehe lived,-though his own rooms were in another direction. He was smoking as usual when they set out, but after a few minutee he threw away the stump of the cigarette and thrust his arm through hers. There was an urgency in the; movement that startan urgency in the movement that start"Look here, do you love me, Sonia T" he said. "Tell me. I want to know!" "Why, Alec-r-" Sonia was taken aback. "I'm fond of you, of course. Should we have gone about together as we have for ov«r a year if I wasn't?" "Well then, if your really are, can't we get married?* Soon, I'd like to. We— we've gone on long enough like this. Let'* make «n end of it, Sonia 1" At the sound of pleading in Alec's voice panic swept over Sonia. This was what she had been keeping at bay! "Oh Alec, why this all of a sudden?" ehe said distressfully. "Why, we aren't even definitely engaged, I don't want to get married yet." "Why not, if you care for me?" Alec said. "Oh, for lots of reasons. You know when first we knew each other we agreed that this sort of thing wae much better than being tied up and married —more interest and variety about it We couldn't get dull and bored with each other and so on."

"Couldn't we?" Alee said grimly. "Any more reasons?" "Yes. There's my work. I couldn't let that go, and I must concentrate on it if I'm to make the name for myself I want to.. Besides, you couldn't afford it Alec, either." She knew thie wme only catching at a straw even before Alec said, "I can afford it perfectly well. You know my salary has just been raised again, and how well I did investing that legacy I had last spring. I can marry when I want to, Sonia. And I want to now." His jaw had set and his grey eyes smouldered in the way Sonia always found disturbing, All-the same, Why should she be rushed likf thist -'. . "Oh, do leave it a. bit, Alec," she. eaid "Because you want to get married it doesn't follow I do. And here we are. I must go in and get some sleep. Ive some designs I must work en to-morrow,: Sunday or no Sunday." , "Always work!" Alec aaid jealously. "I come definitely second, don't IT Just •mong the 'also rant'!" '.-,, "I think you're horrid to-night t" Soma said stiffly. . ' '''~. "Sorry, dear." AleeV expression had softened slightly. "But I want to get this clears Am 1 to understand you won't marry ma, then?" . - . s

" 'When will you marry me. Mr pretty maid? This year, next year-1 perhaps—she said'," Sonia quoted with a flippancy meant to cover her own uneasiness, as she turned away, though she regretted it the next moment whin Alec said shortly, "All right! That's your last word then! Good-night." Then he was gone. Dismayed, she watched him walk away down the street with his shoulders set very square. Her hand shook as she thrust the latchkey into the door of her flatlet liijrh rp among the echoing corridors of the lug building. Inside, the small place waited for her just as she had left it. very neat and impersonal, almost entirely given over to her drawing and other'requirements of her profession. Alec had seldom been here, and she knew somehow that he didn't like it. She'd always thought it strange of him, though it hadn't seemed to matter as she spent most of her day at the office of the paper she worked for, while she and Alec could always meet out in various places. But to-night she seemed suddenly to see the place with different ryes. It wasn't home! By th:> time the milk slip was heating for herself on the iras r'in«r i >a d boiled up -!'!■ realised she was horribly tired. And vet when she'd torn off the jade green frock and tumbled into bed she couldn't sleep for thinking of Alec going away like that, hurt, angry, disappointed— * She'd ring him up in the morning, she decided. Only to remember' with a pang that no telephone to his rooms and was going away early to spend the day with his people in the country. Perhaps he'd ring her up before starting, as he'd often done before, she thought as she finally dropped off.

She woke in the morning with ears »trained for the tinkle of the telephone bell which never came. By midday she had to admit there was poing to be no sign from Alec. He hadn't forgiven her thon! Monday passed. Tuesday, and still no sign. On the third day she rang him up at liis office. He wouldn't like it. Senilis voicp. though it made her heart Iwp, sounded cool. Yes, he'd had a pleasant Week-end. People staying with his people which made it jolly. Oh yes. he was quite well. Hoped she was the same.., And would she excuse him now; someone waiting to see him. That was all. Sonia turned away angrily. Not a word about meeting again or anything. Oh well— Her chin went up with a jerk. If he intended taking, up that attitude, let him I And for ten miserable day? during I which Sonia told herself alternately that she was wretched and that she didn't care a hoot, no communication of any sort passed between them. It was as though' their intimate friendship Lad ney*r''lJeen-.." ■ .\ I* wae on the evening of the second Friday that the -letter came. Sonia found it on the mat when site came home and saw with a start that it was from Alec. Her fingers trembled as she tore the envelope open. And what a long letter. Carefully written, too. cot dashed eff anyhow as Alec's so often were. "My dear this letter tftter. what yotf laid on our last evening together it cannot make much difference to you. "For the fact ie I am going torbe married, Sonia. You knew that I wm leeious to settle down in a home of my own, and having now met a girl with whom 1 know Irean be happy >I am hoping to do it quite Joon. Under the circumstances I thought it best you and I should not meet again until things were settled, a« they no% are, especially as your time ia so fully occupied; with affair* more material to you than mine! "Still we have been good friends for a long time and for that reason I feel I may make a last request of you to prove our friendship. That Iβ that yon will come and meet I am quite sure you will like—and at the same time let her show you round the little place we have taken and are furnishing for ourselves. "She is quite young, not clever like you are, and besides being anxious to meet you I know she will greatly value your expert advice on the arrangement and decoration of the house. You could suggest all kinds of little artistic touches as I well know. And it would give me the greatest happiness to know "you two were friends. "Please, Sonia, be a sport and come. Chloe and I will be at the house expecting you on Sunday afternoon. —Alec." An address followed, which Sonia never even glanced at. It was unbelievab>! Alect Marrying someone else! A bitterness she had never experienced before swept over her and for a long while she eimply could not think, at all. After a time she began to aek hertelf what she was going to do about it. Should she go? Could she got If she didn't, Alec would feel he'd scored over her, and that ahe'd never let him do.

Her taxi drew up'outside the door, of a very attractive looking House in * road cut through the grounds of an Old mansion up in the Hampstead direction. Almost before she had stepped out, Alec was beside her, paying the man and generally taking charge as he alwajs* did. Oh, but she musn't let him, bow that— , "Come on in, my dear," he was saying. "Chloe is here. You don't know how : pleased we are botlt to see you at our future home I" He looked rather pale, Soma noticed, not quite at ease in his manner in spite ; of his jaunty words. She felt him loipi ing at her and was. thankful for the slick new coat she was wearing, the fox fur that became her so well, and the cleverly tilted little hat •towing he* bronze hair beneath-its brim. Also f« her cleverly applied touch of make up. * "You're looking splendid!" He was arming her up the short path to the frontdoor. ''So good of you to come, too!" - . :, Sonia smiled up at him sweetly. "Why, of course I came! Nice of you to ask me! I'm simply longing to tee. this house of yours. Old dark horse, aren't you? I never'guessedrShe broke off. In the doorway a girl stood smiling. An extraordinary pretty, girl with fair curls punched on the back of her head and a little cap clinging like a limpet to the side of it. Her smile revealed lovely teeth between fresh red And Sonia eould have killed her where she etood! "This is CMee," Alee was saying. "I'm simply delighted that you two should meet. 5. How eould men he bo idiotic! Sonia thought bitterly. '. . .._;!

By EVE BRANKWYN

The tour of inspection was over, though it had been thorough and protracted. Once more they were all. back in the panelled lounge and Chloe was saying gaily.

"I'm so glad you like it all. Because I'm absolutely thrilled at the thought of living in it. Of course I know I'm frightfully lucky to get it! ,.

'"Yes—yes, you are!" Sonia said jerkily. For what could she say after being shown the house of her dreams and realising another woman was going to live in it—with Alec! "It just wants a few more personal touches.' . Alec put in. "Hut we shall soon supply those, shan't we, Cliloo darling V , ' "Rather!" said Chloe airily. "Sonia muist come and give me some more hints!" Into the dead silence that followed that remark Alec said hurriedly: "What about your running and seeing about some tea, my sweet, while Sonia and I have a sit down ?" C'hloe nodded, and with rather a curious look at Sonia, went out of the room. Sonia and Alec were alone. She must any something-—anything. it didn't matter what, *he thought, terrified of the silence. "I like it enorunuraly. Alec!" slhe began in a voice she hardly knew for her own. "I congratulate you on your taste. So —so up-to-date it is. So convenient and —" The end of the sentence was lost, for she had turned away, ostensibly to look out of the window, but in reality to hide the trembling of her lips.

Feeling Alec's eyes upon her, she eaid after a moment's struggle with herself. "I—l mustn't be long, Alec. I really ought to go now." "Oh, nonsense. Of course you'll stay to tea. You aren't in such a hurry to get away from my house aa all that, are you, Sonia?" "No. Of course not," Sonia said. "Only—" "Only what, Sonia? You—you aren't upeet about anything, are you, dear?" He had come round between her and the window. His eyes sought here. Oh, if she could only hide her* 'f somewhere ! . She threw up her head defiantly. "Upset! No, why should I be?* I—I." To her horror she realised that a sob had cut short her utterance and that large tears were running down her cheek*. "You are upset! Sonia—my dear!" He had put an arm round her shoulder, but Sonia shook it oft*. "I'm not!" she snapped. Then suddenly, unable to keep up the pretence any longer. "Well, then, yes I am, if you want to know! And I simply can't bear any more of it. Let me go, Alec." "You're not going," Alec said. "And you've got to tell me what it is you can't bear any more of. Tell me, Sonia." His arm went round her again, so warm and comforting that she hadn't the strength to pueh it off this time. "You know perfectly well," she sobbed. "Seeing you in this house you've furnished for someone else. Seeing you together here. Thinking of you —Oh. I couldn't have believed you'd do it, Alee, after all we've been to each other!" "And—suppose I haven't done it. Sonia?" Alec said, with his lips very close to her ear. "Listen, dear. This ie. my cousin George's house. He and C'hloe are getting married next month. All this furniture is theirs. So you see —" "Alec!"

Sonia's eyes were wide and incredulous ,her mouth wide open too, till Alec closed it with a kiss. "'Alec—you mean—T" she gasped. "1 mean that I've been playing a trick on you, darling! But I simply had to wake you somehow and make you face the facts of the case. Bor I do want to get married and have a home of my own. I intend to do so. but the only girl I have ever wanted for ray wife ie you. Now do you understand?" Not for anything would Sonia confess how horribly clearly she had been understanding, for the last fortnight, what she herself really wanted after all. Nor at that moment did ehe think anything about ipoiee or competence or being independent. She simply clung to Alec and shed the last of her tears into his shoulder. "Sweetheart," she heard him saying, "there's another house further up the road exactly like this one. Shall we take it?" "Oh, Alec, does it matter?" Sonia said. "Any old house will do, so long as it's ours." Chloe, who had come in with the tea tray, went away again quickly. She wished George would come soon so that she could be kissed like that too.