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Show unloose the nooagates or Ms heart. Finally he stood away and looked look-ed at her. "Do you know, you're a. very beautiful woman?" She didn't reply. "Margaret," he asked, "are you happy?" "Why do you ask?" The moment was gone. "I don't know. I wondered. Often, I've Been a look in your eyes as if you were thinking of someone." He added gently, "Isn't there something some-thing morbid in burying one's heart with the dead?" There was a tinge of bitterness in her reply. "That's a strange thing for you to say." She went on with suppressed intensity. "Charles, I know you feel there really la someone and that some day you may find her. But doesn't it frighten you sometimes to know that the years are passing and that you may lose the capacity for happiness? hap-piness? You may have come so near her perhaps on the street. You may even have met her f -.- i v i- ! men stln resounaea. ey tne tlme they reached the village it was evening. eve-ning. There was still an hour to train departure. They would see a bit of Melbridge. He and Harrison Harri-son made for a small bar. Emerging Emerg-ing into the fog a bit later Harrison Har-rison discovered that they were out of cigarettes. Smithy nodded briefly. "Well never mind there's a little tobacconist tobac-conist shop just around the corner." cor-ner." Harrison glanced at him in surprise. They bought their cigarettes but as they came outside Harrison said, "I thought you told me you'd never been in Melbridge." "I haven't," Smithy returned indifferently. in-differently. Then, all at once, he paled. Strange. He had said, "There's a little tobacconist shop just around the corner." The shop was off the main street. He couldn't have seen it on his way from the station. "Harrison ... I don't understand It . . ." Mists were swirling' In his head . . . he could hear bells and whistles too. A sweat broke out on his forehead. He put a shaking hand to a railing. "Harrison, let me think. That little shop and there's n. hit nlara ham nn a Vtill "Paula . . . I've found wi! At last I've found you!" RANDOM HARVEST Adapted from the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Picture by BEATRICE FABER CAST OF CHARACTERS Charles Rainier - - - - - ftonmld Col man Paula ------- Greer G arson Dr. Jonathan Benet -- - Philip Dent Kitty ------- Susan Peter Dr. Sims ------ Henry T rave re "Biffer" ------ Reginald Owen Harrison - Bramwell Fletcher Sam ------- Phya William Tobacconist - - - - - Una O'Connor Mr. Lloyd - Charles Watdron Mrs. Uoyd - Ellaabeth Risdon ... it has wide gates and a high wall all around It . . ." Harrison was alarmed. "Sir, if you're 111 ..." . "No, no, Harrison. I've got tc trace It.' He put his hands ovei his eyes. There were things, shapes at the back of his mind. "I was trying to get away from something some-thing . . . trying to escape. And there was a girl ..." He started forward in excitement. "I I loved her. We were married . . ." He seemed dazed. "Harrison, leave me now. I'm going up there on the hill to that building. There'e something I want to know . . , must know . . ." Harrison stood there and watched watch-ed him hurry off. Harrison was a good fellow and now he was terribly ter-ribly troubled. Poor Lady Rainier. What a blow this would be to her. She bad Rnlri aha ixrnulri ho fti together and went to a quiet rcataurant for lunch. Quickly, Smithy came to the point. "Miss Ransom," he said, "I have a proposal to make. I need your help in my parliamentary life. You may think this is outrageous outra-geous but after all, you and I are both ghost-ridden You were married before. You seem not to have forgotten it and I well you know. We're prisoners of our past." He leaned across the table. "But what if we were to pool our interests? Give each other support? Friendship?" He forced himself on but it was anticipated. She was a lovely creature, full of life to her red cold hair. Whv SYNOPSIS: In the autumn of 1018, the Armistice in announced at the HI tie manufacturing town of MelbHdye, England. This gives Smithy, an amnesia patient at the County Asylum, a chance to escape. In the village, he is helped by Paula Kidgeway, warmhearted young member of a theatrical troupe. They go to the country where Smithy recovers re-covers his health and takes up a writing career. Then they marry and have a baby. But when Smithy goes to Liverpool for a permanent position offered him by a publication he is struck down by a vehicle. Recovering consciousness all memory of Paula is lost. His last recollection recollec-tion is of the battlefield. As Charles Rainier, he returns to Surrey and takes up his rightful position as a man of wealth. Some years later Paula enters his employ as Margaret Ransom, secretary. He doesn't remember her and she feels it wiser not to reveal herself. His past love for her must come from within, He then becomes engaged to Kitty, his step-niece but at the last moment, Kitty, recognising that there is a shadowy love in his heart, breaks the engagement. engage-ment. Chapter Three Conclusion') i It was from Smithy's office assistant, as-sistant, Harrison, that Paula learned learn-ed the news of the broken be-throthal. be-throthal. Something tightened inside in-side her but she made no comment. com-ment. Early one morning however her calm left her. A letter had arrived ar-rived offering Charles Rainier a seat in Parliament. He must consent con-sent to stand in the Liberal Interests, In-terests, however, and his election would be a hard fight but a worthwhile worth-while one. Strangely, he wasn't in his office . . . nor at home. At last Paula located him in Liverpool. He had gone there last night. Without With-out hesitation, she took the next train. It was Smithy himself who opened open-ed the door of his hotel suite to her. "I'm sorry Miss Ransom." He seemed distraught. "I should have let you know where I was." Then, in a shaking voice, he explained. "Miss Ransom, you know of my experience here in Liverpool many years ago. I've told you all about it. Yesterday I came back here to try to trace through to the past to what I'm convinced was the most vital part of my life." He turned away. "But it wasn't any use. I've tramped the docks, the station yards, the streets. I've gone through the hotels. There's no clue. No hint of anything aroused itself in my memory." For a moment she had been alive with hope. Now she said dully, "I'm terribly sorry. It must have been a great disappointment." Quickly then she told him about the seat in Parliament. He listened, nodded and said In a hard voice, "Very well. Send a wire to the Liberal Committee and tell them I accept. Also, there's an express to London at eight fifteen. Suppose you make reservations." it was a sunny day in early October when Charles Rainier won his victory, the Liberal seat in Parliament. Scores of friends came to congratulate him on the terrace of the House of Commons but nothing no-thing seemed worthwhile until Mar-traret Mar-traret Ransom arrived. Thev left Wickham. He must seek her out . . . warn her. It was early the next morning , that he found her in the little vine covered cottage. She had been sitting at the piano softly fingering finger-ing a melody, her eyes on the white mists of the hills. "Lady Rainier!" He rushed to hei and warmly took her hands. "Oh I'm so glad I've found you." Paula said softly, "Then he Is here. What has happened?" Harrison spoke almost wildly, "I think the world of him Lady Rainier, you know that but he doesn't realize what he's doing." Briefly, he explained the happenings happen-ings after their visit to the tobacconist's. to-bacconist's. "And and it seems there was a woman and he married mar-ried her. He says he must find her. It's all he seems to care about. It's got to be stopped. It could ruin him and it would be dreadful for you." He looked at her and burst out, "I must say, you take it very calmly. When I try to imagine how you must feel . . ." Her voice was tender. "I don't feel anything yet at least not much. But I keep on thinking of what you said, that he doesn't care." Harrison was miserable. "I know. It's awful. I'm dreadfully sorry." All at once, she flung out her arms. "Oh no Harrison, it's wonderful. won-derful. He'd throw over everything, his future, his ambitions, everything every-thing if he could find her." She turned and looked out of the window. win-dow. "And Harrison, there he is. You see? The big willow tree on the corner? He's coming past the church, walking through that little rambling garden . . ." Yes, it was Smithy, moving very slowly along the road. Paula could almost feel his heart beating. Now he had opened the gate. It creaked a little. He was coming up the path. With shaking hand he touched touch-ed the knob of the door. It opened and she stood there. "Smithy," she said, ever so softly. He faced her. "Paula . . ." He moved forward and took her in his arms. There were tears and awe in his voice. "Paula . . . I've found you. At last I've found you." He rested his cheek against her hair. The lines of his face smoothed smooth-ed out in a deep, quiet peace. The door to that inner room of memory had opened at last and he had found the treasure he'd sought for so many years . . . the woman he loved. should she accept this merger? Give up all thought of a future love? But he had started. He would finish. "I'm proposing marriage, mar-riage, Miss Ransom. I'll need a wife, a clever hostess. I'd make no emotional demands on you . . ." Her eyes had filled with tears. His voice was anxious. "Miss Ran. . . . Margaret, hava I hurt you?" "No, no." She tried to smile and dabbed at her eyes. "This is what comes of boasting that I never cry, I suppose." He patted her hand. "But you will think about it? I'll call you at nine tonight. I hope it will be 'yes.' I sincerely hope so Margaret." Mar-garet." Nine o'clock that evening came. Feverishly, she paced the floor. So he was offering her a merger. What a fantastic situation. She would be her own rival. His subconscious sub-conscious was moored in fidelity to Paula. And Paula was the woman from whom she must try to win him. The telephone rang. She picked up the received. "Oh . . . hello Charles." Her voice was faint. "The answer is 'Yes.'. Anytime. As soon as you like." They were married soon after that, very quietly. Paula became the most distinguished social matron of the season. It added no less to her prestige that she was the Prime Minister's favorite and because of him knighthood was bestowed be-stowed on her husband. Now Paula was Xxidy Charles Rainier. Through it all though she was unhappy and gay by turn. Sometimes Some-times her husband would look at her in a way that made her feel he was just on the brink of discovering dis-covering her. Then the look would fade and she would be numb with despair again. They had given a brilliant ball one evening. It had lasted quite late and with the departure of everyone, they ascended the stairs to their apartments. Smithy lingered lin-gered in her sitting room. "You know," he said softiy, "it's nearly morning, the moraine of May 25th. Does that mean anything to you?" Her eyes lighted. "Yes, it's the anniversary of our wedding our third anniversary." He nodded then reached into his pocket and brought out a case, snapping it open. A magnificent diamond and emerald necklace was revealed. "Charles!" She was breathless. "It's too beautiful. No, really you spoil me." She fincered the great pendant stone. "Will you put it on for me?" He hesitated. Then his fingers just lightly trailed her skin as he clasped it together. She was trembling. trem-bling. Maybe now in this moment he would take her in his arms, Charles and not known her. It might even be someone you know. She touched his arm. "Charles, It might even be me." He drew back. It was as if she had desecrated something dear and beloved. "Margaret," he said in kindly protest. Her mouth twisted. She began talking wildly. "Charles, I'd like a change, a rest. I'd like to travel maybe to Rio. It's been a strain I suppose. I'm just a little nobody you know. It's harder than I thought being the wife of Charles Rainier." He was gazing at her in vague uneasiness. "You are over tired I think. Shall we talk about it in the morning?" "In the morning," she said tone-lessly. tone-lessly. "Yes Charles. Goodnight." The door closed behind him. Her voice rose in a despairing whisper. "Smithy. Oh Smithy . . ." Paula's trip to South America was planned and settled by the next afternoon Several days later she was ready to leave. Smithy, along with his assistant Harrison, took her to the train. She stood at the door of her railway rail-way carriage and he said stiffly, "Is this place where you're staying in the country on your way?" "Not quite." The little vine covered cov-ered cottage where she and Smithy had lived would house her once more and she would bid it a final adieu. "No, it's in Wickham, a quiet little village with a delightful delight-ful old inn. I want to go there again. I was happy there once." The train was ready to start. Harrison put the last piece of luggage lug-gage in the vestibule. Now the train was moving slowly. Smithy walked alongside. "I wish you weren't leaving. It it will seem strange not to talk things over with you " He kissed her cheek. "You'll let me hear from you?" "Of course. Goodbye Charles. Goodbye ..." Her voice came back faintly once more. Then she was gone. He stood there, troubled and a bit frightened. He heard Harrison speaking to him. "We'd better start for the Melb'idee Cable Works sir. The telegram was urgent." They picked up some papers at the office and immediately boarded the train. Once in Melbridge, the business at the Cable Works was straightened out. The men had been planning to strike unless their demands were met. However, Sir Charles Rainier settled the matter within minutes, not only by raising wages but shortening hours and bettering working conditions con-ditions in general. He was smiling vaguely as he loft the place with Harrison. In the back of him, the cheers of the The church bells softlv pealed, sealing their union once again. THE END. Printed In U. S A. ..-Copyright ..-Copyright 1942 by Loew's Inc. |