CHAINED

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 27, 11 January 1935, Page 48

CHAINED

ADAPTED P FRoM ThE METRO-GOLDWYN MAYER PICTURE

by

BEATRICE

FABER

WHAT HAS GONE BHFORBD. Diane Lovering and Mike Bradley _ discover they are in love with each other. She had struck up an exciting shipboard acquaintance with hin on thé boat going to Buenos. Aires. Richard Field, forty-eight and wealthy, had _bent her on. the trip so that she might. forget the scene that had ensued when his wife discovered he was Diane's. lover. Diane, on avisit to Mike's ranch .. in Buenos Aires has just confessed ‘that Richard Field is the man "iho pays her bills." e NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY. CHAPTER SEVEN. Homecoming. "The ‘continuing silence became more and more ‘ oppressive. Diane wanted _fo-scream with the pain of it as she tvatched Mike tensely. Mike had been genuinely taken aback for a moment; there had ever been a second or two when-every instinct rebelled at her disclosure and he -liad wanted, shockingly, to slap her |.’ . Then all he felt was. compassion-and his love for her spoke out of’ his eyes, enfolding them both. He took her hand, "That’s the man I said was penind your eyes." ‘ . "Yes." It was just a whisper. ‘Then she faced him. "But you don’t see him ‘there now, do you?" Mike held her close, "No, and, ’ye forgotten. he was ever there." , "I can’t forget-that way-" "I know," Mike said understandingly. "He asked his wife for a divorce in. front of me, and she refused." _ "He’d have to be pretty regular, Dinah, for you to-" ae ane "But I’ve never, never really known anything unti) you put your: arms around me. You see, I thought I loved him, Mike. He’s gentle, honest, dearand I owe him everything." She smiled sadly, "This ‘trip-I even owe "him you-" Mike spoke decisively. . "Well you've got to write him a letter right xyay ": "No, , Mike. I’ve got to go back and tell him, ‘face’ to face." aa

-. "No. That’s only an unnecessary ordeal-" Diane shook her head firmly. "It wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t. You see, he didn’t run out on me. I couldn’t run out on him." Though contrary to Mike’s interests, ‘he could not help but be impressed by her fair dealing. "Tf I see him myself, Mike-I can make him understand. We couldn’t be’ happy any other way, could we?" , Mike took her chin and flicked it lightly.. "Hurry back," was all he said. Then he kissed her fiercely, as if he would stamp his lips indelibly on hers forever: ~ , "A few days later Diane boarded the Amerceutral on. its trip back to New York. There was both happiness and ‘dread in her heart as the days dragged slowly by. Now, back north, and, anchored off quarantine, the ship rested lazily in the water, while Diane sat on the bed in her stateroom, fully dressed and ready to leave. Her nerves were taut and frayed, and ‘she’ was almost ‘at the breaking point, as she wondered how she was to go through: the coming ordeal. Her head pounded unmercifully and her. throat felt parched and dry. . What was it Uncle Jim used to say? "always be honest with the other fellow ‘and you’ll find you’re being true to yourself." ‘Now she wondered about it. Was honesty worth the price'of dealing what might be a mortal: blow to someone who had never been other than good and kind.to-her? There were some persons, she Kew, who would not.regard Richard as the soul of nobility; who would, rather, look upon him "in the guise of villain. But Diane could not, truthfully,.deceive herself in this way. She knew that what had happened .between herself and Richard was as fine and beautiful a thing as marriage would. have been. And now it was over, How shall I tell him? her-brain beat at her. Amy came bustling: in; "Darlin’, he’s comin’ outside in the motor- boat. Come now," she said soothingly, "a fine man like My, Field’ll understand." ~~

Diane smiled with difficulty. "Of , course he will." Walking along the F deck with Amy, she followed the .chief steward down the iron stairs toward the kitchen quarters. A loud hail ‘stopped her. "Diane!’? It was Richard. He rushed to meet her and she was swallowed up in his arms. "DarlingDiane’s voice was tender as she met his kiss lightly. "Hello, Richard.". As he started’ to kiss her again, she nervously indicated the staring crew. "I don’t care,’ Richard said exultantly. "Here, let me look at you... It’s almost worth letting you go away-just for this moment." , = "But "Richard," Diane protested, "getting off this way-what about the Customs-" . Richard made a large gesture. "Amy can attend to all that. ‘Anyhow, you’ve the courtesy of the port." He turned. "Here, Amy," he said, handing her gome. bills, "you stay on and get the luggage through." He = looked hungrily at Diane again. "So-you’ve come batk." Sweeping her along the companionway, he opened the door to the waiting motorboat. ‘They -were riding up Park Avenue and still Diane had not found — ler tongue to tell him. Hyery word of endearment, every caress he bestowed on her was added torture, for she knew that sooner or later she must wound him deeply.’ . "Did you have a good time?" he: was asking. "Oh, yes, Richard." "A nice crowd on the boat?" Diane hesitated for a fraction of a minute.. Her colour heightened, but it passed unnoticed by Richard, She nodded. "Oh, yes-" "You're tired, aren’t you?" he asked solicitously. "No. " Richard’s words were softly intimate. "Maybe a little excited about getting, back?" Diane: pulled at her, gloves.. . She breathed a-silent, agonised ‘prayer. for Richard’s forgiveness and understand-

ing. "I’ye-I’ye so many things to tell you I don’t quite know where to begin." Richard ‘hugged her. "Considering that I’m never going to let you out of my sight again, you’ve the rest ofryour: life to tell me everything." 4 Diane shivered a little, though the day was warm and. balmy. The rest of her life! He was so confident of her, so trusting in his love, that for a horrorstricken ‘moment she. felt that to destroy _ this thing would be to make a. murderess of herself. oar ‘The ¢ar. drew up to the. in which she lived. It purred Softly . for a second more, then. . died as. the "door was opened for her. . "Fere’s home," Richard said in her ear as they stepped out, The doorman stopped her and beamed upon her.. "Well, Miss Lovering. Glad you’re back, M’m." Sadly, Diane smiled at him, "Thank you, Henry." The elevator quickly brought them to her floor, and Richard unlocked the door, Flowers everywhere, Her pent-: house apartment was filled with their sweet fragrance. Richard took her by the shoulders. "Did: they: happen to have flowers like these in Buenos Aires? he asked caressingly. Diane stared at them unseeingly, "Yes-" Impulsively, she covered his hand with hers, overwhelming pity for him in her heart. "Dear Richard." She must tell him-now. She must find the words that would put the dag: ger through his heart. ; "Diane." He kissed her full on the lips. Vaguely, he felt her unresponsiveness, but he would not-allow the complete thought to form in his mind. "Richard, come here." Taking both his hands, she led him to the couch, and gathered herself together for the effort. Her eyes lingered on every. dear object in the room in a last quiet farewell, for she. knew, once she had broken her news.to Richard, the love-. liness of this beautiful room would’ be shattered for ever. The smooth creamy walls would stare back in hideous accusation, Every chair, every vase would shriek the pain of Richard’s | hurt. And the very air in the room. would suffocate them both, with the poison of memories turned bitter, She faced Richard, and her eyes pleaded with him not to let his heart break before her. "What, dearest?" Richard looked his perplexity. "Richard, I-" But now he thought he inderstood her, Her unresponsiveness, her strange aloofness, all seemed to be clear to him in a bursting ray of light. "Oh, I see," he chided, "still those same awful thoughts. Those thoughts you went away to forget and didn’t." He tried to pull. her to him,

Diane held herself: away, pleading, "Richard, wait-please." Her voice _was frantically supplicating. ° ’ He chuckled and stood up, raising ‘her to her feet. "No; I'll not wait any longer, . There's. Romething you should see." | "My dear-you muist listen" 4 "Not: another sound out of you | until you’ve looked." "Looked. 2". She. passed her hand through her hair wearily, This was taking her last ounce of reserve enersy. "In -on your. dressing table. Go on.’ ‘Her movements were like’ those of a sleepwalker as she entered the other reom. Richard, followed and stood behind her, At first, the newspaper lying on the dressing table meant nothing to her numb brain. Uncomprehendingly, she stared at it, until-there, before her rapidly glazing eyes, was a head-line-a headline that rose from the paper and shouted out its loud jeering message. Her eyes closed.and Richard barely managed :to catch her as she dropped forward. For the first time in her healthy young life she had. fainted. "Darling, are you all right?": _ Richard. was_ bending over Diane anxiously as she slowly returned to consciousness and an all-too-clear remembrance of the newspaper item. Hvery word burned itself in her brain, "SHIPPING MAGNATH TO DIVORCE. Reno, Nevada, June 3. It was discovered here to-day that’Mrs. Richard I. Field had filed suit for divorce--" She felt numb, frozen, as the meaning of the words penetrated her mind. Richard proffered ‘a small jewel case. Tt snapped open to reveal a narrow wedding band, Diane’s hand dropped limply to the floor.

"that’s your welcome home present," Richard beamed at her. "No, -Richara--" Diane said weakly.’ es ‘ "He took cher: ‘protest. for incredulity. "T's ‘true, dear. Louise and I had it all. out shortly after you left. She Saw it was. the only way." "Y ou--you ‘gan’t do this--" "It's all right: now.) > She recognises there. is. nothing. between’ her, and me any, more, «She's: an. shonest « "person, Diane. ‘She's’ no. wish: "for: ‘two: people to: live a: lie, no: matter. how: legal it is, ‘as long as: it’s forcing two otter people ‘to: live‘ an" ‘illegal: truth. ahs. --He ‘swept her cold ‘figure into his: ans, ASO it’s all settled. itll be final in three weeks, ~And-ther I-can take-you out of this secret, hidden life of ours, We ean be together always, Diane." He noticed her stillness. — "What's, the matter, darling? Don’ t you believe it yet?" _ "It-it’s just . something . I-t never counted on--" She rose and looked dr earily at the newspaper again. Richard, now vaguely puzzled, moved to her side. "At one time I never .even dared hope for it. Diane,- Yabouring for . self-control, turned around. "Richard, do people, your friends--do they know it’s because of me--" "Some of our closest friends I've told--yes. And now that it’s out, I want to tell everybody! Shout it from the housetops! And show them you! Had "Yon ve given up your family--" Diane said half to herself, "your home --your children. You must love me very much--" (To be Continued.) .