Show THE DOUBLE MISTAKE FICTION ION CORNER By Richard Hill Wilkinson T was convenient thought Martha IT Sidney that Larry had money You see she confided to Dorice Morton who was to be maid of honor honor hon hon- or at the wedding Larry could hardly expect me to accompany him on these excursions excursions ex ex- into t the h e M. M mute Minute 3 wilderness After Fiction all he has enough money so that this forestry business hes he's interested in could be classed as a hobby Dorice was dubious I sometimes wonder Mart whether or not youre you're wise in marrying Larry Somehow I feel that he expects you'll be eager to follow him into the woods How could he expect me meto meto meto to get a thrill out of trees Besides theres there's that little summer home of his just outside of town Id I'd much prefer to live there where I can entertain entertain en en- my friends and make some good use of his money It was rather an elaborate wed wed- ding Marthas Martha's mother who called her daughter extremely fortunate at making such a catch went the limit She didn't want Larry to think Martha was hopelessly poor The couple spent a n two weeks' weeks honeymoon on Long Island and returned returned returned re re- re- re turned to Larrys Larry's summer home in Albany in late September All during during during dur dur- ing the boat ride up the Hudson Larry talked of ot the woods their I glory in autumn That night he he said Better get your packing done honey Were We're leaving early Martha arched her brows in surprise My ly packing Why Larry dear you dont don't expect me to accompany you into the wilderness f y j 1 r 1 Larry darling she said please let me stay Larry looked at her in bewilderment bewilder bewilder- ment He saw the whiteness about her lips and knew suddenly that she had bad never intended to go with him There was a quality In his voice when he replied that frightened her So that's how it is Im I'm the seasons season's seasons season's seasons season's sea sea- sons son's outstanding sucker eh He shrugged Tomorrow Im I'm leaving for the woods and youre you're going with me whether me-whether whether you like it or not They departed by train the next morning At Saranac they shifted to a power boat boa t and for hours drove steadily in the wilderness At Atthe Atthe Atthe the head of the last chain of lakes they disembarked The power boat sung away Martha and Larry were left alone standing on a narrow strip of wilderness that hat projected out into the lake There was a log cabin a canoe and nothing else Martha felt afraid and very much alone Larry had been boen painfully for for- mal during the entire trip The mountains the stillness the vast solitude awed and frightened her She stood quite still until the last faint put put-put-put of ot the power launch had faded Then she turned and entered the cabin hat was to tobe tobe tobe be her home TN N spite of herself Martha could I IN not help enjoying her new exist exist- ence For the first time In her life she knew sheer joy at just being alive The cabin war wat comfortable and home There were books There was work to be done Larry made no effort to assist her about the cabin His eyes still held the same cold glint that had frightened frightened fright fright- ened her on the night before their departure He seldom spoke was away from the cabin a good deal dealand dealand dealand and spent his evenings bent over drawings and reports It was a month before Larry let letdown letdown letdown down the barrier He came up from rom romI I behind Martha as she stood alone I on a bluff overlooking the lake She turned at his step and looked into his eyes The cold glint was gone The power launch Is due back tomorrow he said Yon You may go back with the driver If U you like I guess I-guess guess 1 I made a mis mis- take Martha felt a lump In her throat and swallowed hard Larry darling dorling please let me stay I Ive I-I've Ive I've been selfish Cant Can't you forgive me Larrys Larry's head jerked up For one brief mom moment nt he stared I I Martha Martha hoped wanted you to love to love the woods as I Ido do I brought you here for that purpose purpose purpose pur pur- pose and thought Id I'd f failed Martha pulled his face down and kissed it Lets forget the past Larry sweetheart and start all over again I really dont don't feel as if it Ive I've had a real honeymoon n. n Lets Let's beJ begu begh over again Now Here |