page45 (1/2)

APPARENTLY ELIZABETH’S CARRIAGE HORSE had never encountered an automobile before, at least not after sundown, and not in such profusion

With all the sputtering and clanging and light-flashing and honking in the streets around the Lyric Theatre, the frightened old horse bucked and snapped at the air It took soet us safely back on the road to Eudora

The trip home made the trouble hile The stir of a breeze in the sultry night A fat full es

“I saw Charley’s Aunt in that theater,” Elizabeth said “I saw Maude Adah as Peter Pan And they were both wonderful But they didn’t touch h until there were tears”

“It’s a very special evening,” I said “Couldn’t have been any better”

I waited She didn’t answer

“It is,” she finally said “It’s very special to me too”

These last words caught in her throat I glanced at her: even in the faint ht, I could see the shine of tears in her eyes

“What’s the matter?” I asked

“Oh, you knohat it is, Ben,” she said “I should be riding ho memories of Mark Tith him I should be in love… with Richard”

I knehat I wanted to do then I wanted to tell Elizabeth ’s andproposed (by letter, no less!) that we put an end to our e

Instead, I drove along in silence The breeze disappeared, and the moon went behind a cloud

“Why did you ask ht?” she said

“I thought you would enjoy it,” I said “And I guess I’ve been… lonely”

“Oh, Ben,” she said “Oh, Ben” Then she tookmoment