CHAINED ADAPTED FROM THE

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 30, 1 February 1935, Page 48

CHAINED ADAPTED FROM THE

ADAPTED FROM THE

by

METRO-GOLDWYN MAYER: PICTURE

BEATRICE

FABER

WHAT HAS GONE’ BEFORE. . Diane Lovering has married Richard Field, forty-eight and wealthy, her lover for five years, although she. is reallyin love with Mike Bradley. They have met on board ship when Dian? sailed to Buenos Aires while Field ad. justed his marital affairs after his wife's discovery of Diane. Arriving. home, intending to tell Richard of her. coming marriage to Mike, he has confronted her with news of his divorce, and the whole world knows it has beer for Diane. She cannot let him down! She has never mentioned Mike, «uithough she has written, saying "thut luxury is more important than love." A year later they meet accidentaily.. and Mike takes her to a private restaurant. After a stirring scene they find they still love each other, but Diane gives him up. She returns home. veri late, telling her maid she has been watii:ing in the park. — vOW. GO ON WITH THR STORY. CHAPTER ELEVEN. "Traipsin’ around the park on a day like this," Amy fussed at her, "And your feet are. soppin’ wet. Where’re your goloshes?" : "T-I don’t know." "Don’t know!" .Amy was gscandalised. She-threw up her hands, ther shoved Diane on the chaise }onnge. "Of all things! Were-let me ¢et those shoes and stockings off." "You go.on with your packing." "Well, get ’em off. What’! Mr. Field say if you catch.your death of’ cold, and you both leavin’ for a holiday. Humpbh." Oblivious of ever vthine, hardly knowing what she was doing, Diane removed . her shoes and pulled off her’stockings, :; "Amy," she said in a. dead voice, AT saw him to-day." > . "Oh, so you went to the" oflice" "No, I:saw him." "Who?. You don’t’ mean-"’ "Yes." Any studied her, trying to divine her mood, "You did, eh? ‘Well, what's he doing so far from where he belongs?" "He-he said he was buying ‘artillery." Amy made no attempt to understand this. "Humph. Sounds like that alcoholic Mr. Smith was with him." "No. He was alone." "Did he keep on stayin’ alone?’ "Y had lunch with him." Amy looked at her caution sly. "Well, any fool man that'll take a girl skeedaddling through the park with no

goloshes- You better hurry," she warned Diane, "Mr, Field’ll be in soon." She disappeared into the other room. Her voice trailed back. ‘Well, what'd he say?" . What did. he say? Diane smiled sadly. JF irst things she- had wanted him to say, and then things she hadn’t Or was it the other way around? Suddenly she was galvanised to life. A bot flush, then a cold chill swept over her. What was it Amy had said? "Mr. Wield’l] be in soon." No-no-her mind shouted at her. She trembled life a leaf in a gtrong gale. It was Mike-Mike she wanted, forever and ever. This was’ different from before when Mike hated her. She had wanted him to, for his own protection. But now they each knew again their love for the other, She gasped for breath and ran her fingers through her hair frenziedly. Where was it he was staying? Feverishly she tried to . recall. The St. Regis! She whirled to the telephone and with shaking, clammy fingers lifted the receiver off the rack. "Well, James, Mrs. Field at home?" Diane’s hand was arrested in midair as Richard’s voice floated up to her. And with his voice sanity returned. Deep ‘shame overwhelmed her at the mad impulse that had sent her to the telephone, and she was like one stricken as she huddled in the chair, Richard burst in. "Hello, darling." He stopped, noticing her dejection. "Why, what’s the matter?" "Matter? Oh! Nothing, dear. Just -just a little tired." She pulled herself together, steeling herself to play the part of the happy Mrs. Field. Only >she.thought despairingly she must see + that Richard was with her every morning until she learned to trust herself. ' He’ kissed her, then patted her shoulder. "ALL packed, I ‘see.’ "Amy’s done wonders." "Good." Diane’s mind worked frantically. She must not be alone. Then an idea occurred to her. Wearing a bright air of mystery and surprise, she entered the dressiug room. ‘Richard, I’ve got a marvellous idea." "Name it." "Let’s, not wait for. that stuffy train trip to-morrow: night... Let’s get to bed early, get up early,, take. the open car, and every fur robe in. the house-and motor up. If we leave: at seven Wwe can make.Placid by six, no pmatter how much snow." Richard ‘slid his arm . about her waist. "Are you in ag much, of a hurry to get away on our little holid: LY as all that?" he asked softly.

"Mmhm." "I’m complimented." He bent and kissed ‘her hand. "And that’s what — we'll do. We'll run away from everybody and everything." * "Yes-Richard " Diane had calculated correctly. They were settled comfortably at the lodge by six. After a warm dinner both of them, drowsy from the ride, decided to turn in early. The next morning dawned bright and clear. In the main room. of the lodge a log fire burned cheerily in the fireplace. Richard descended the stairs, rubbing his hands together, then sented himself at the breakfast table. "Gon morning, James.’ "Mrs. Field stiJl out skiing?" "Yes. sir. Ah, sir-a gentleman ‘phoned by the name of Bradley-" , "Bradley? Bradley? Don’t know* uny Bradleys. . Want me?’ James set the grapefruit on the" table. "Yes, sir. I told him I never disturbed you until. you came downstairs. sir. Then he asked for Mrs. Field. I told him she was out. Anil then before I could ascertain his business he said he was coming right over."’ James was obviously upset at this lack of decorum. "Right over? Where from?’ "From the village, I presume, sir." The doorbell rang. "Tf that’s that fellow-Bradley, is it?-" *__show him right in." Richard rose and Mike walked in "Bradley ?" "Yes, Mr. Field?" "Yes Sit down, won't you?" Richard. settled back in his. chair. "T’ll call you, James." Mike, however, preferred to stard. "Mr. Field, there’s only one reason 1 felt I could come up here to see you. Ann that’s because your wife told nie you dealt with things: pretty straight" "My wi-Oh-vou know Mes. Field?" "I'm in love with her." "What?" "And she’s in love with me." Richard half rose. "Are you -insane?" he shouted, "No. Mike’s face was grave. "I met hee on the boat last year, It was in the cards, Mr. Field, only I couldn’c get her to admit it-until one diay I sou her out on my ranch. And then I knew. We both knew." Richard was on his feet now Overpowering rage an¢ suspicion seized him. "What is this? Some filthy blaekmailing insinvation"Oh, no. Wyen then she was loyal to you. I£ you’ ve got anything else on

your mind, forget it, hecanke it isn’t so, +" There was a slight pause as they took measure of each other.’ .° Mike's sincerity began to affect Richard. Im: possible !-yet-Mike, not wishing ‘to taunt him by withholding’ anything, hurried on. "But, -you see, she came back to tell you about me. Only she found you’d burned your bridges in public and she coulfn’t let you. down." Richard felt weak with sick. relief.

"Well, I guess that just about setties the matter, doesn’t it?" Mike shook his head firmly. "No, It can only be settled one way. Her way, which she’s too unselfish to face. So I’m trying to face it for her." "Oh, And I suppose she asked you up here? So that you might-" "Rar from it. When I called your office and ‘learned you’d left earlier than you expected, I simply knew she’d run away from me." Richard was scornful. "You're kidding yourself, Bradley." . "No, I’m not," Mike struck back at him, eruelly. "You’re in a better position than I am to know a man can’t ’ kid himself about a woman." "TJ don’t understand." Richareé faltered. Mike continued ‘mexorably. "Don’t ask me to use a Glub. You know what I mean." It was a blow that hit Richard between the eyes. -The past few months began flashing through his mind. But he refused to accept what his reason tola him. "I think this talk is finished."

Mike stepped in front of him, "Not yet! You once untangled a snarl like | this is by. facing it squarely and asking the woman you were married to :.to.-do the: same, Well, she came through for you, didn’t she? And now, . according to your rules, it’s your turn to come through for somebody. else." "What do you propose I should -do about it?" Richard’s laboured breathing was clearly audible. "Give her-up. Give her back to her-. self." He stopped at Richard’s look of derision on the-word "herself." "Oh, I know. I’m getting the breaks. © But there’s: nothing I-can do to keep them on your side. And I know it’s tough, but there’s nothing you can do." "Get-out-of-here !" Mike’s voice went hard, "All right,then! I'll take her away from you! I’ve never tried-but I can, and now I will. Right past divorce courts and marriage certificates, and all the rest of it, And we'll be more openly and honestly and completely together than all the-" "You heard me." Richard’s voice had risen almost to a scream, and the veins on his forehead were distended. "Get out. I won’t answer for my actions, I tell you-" Neither of them had: noticed as Diane entered the room. "Mike," she now breathed in whispered reproach. Then she searched Richard’s face. What had been said? He addressed: her harshly. "Dianedo you-love this man?" There was a short, awful pause. Underneath, his plea had reached her ears. She responded to it, not daring to look at Mike. "N-no-Richard." She stared at him as if to sustain the lie by her fixed stare. "Dinah !" _ Richard centinued, ignoring. Mike’s cry.. His voice was hoarse. "He-he said he could take you away, if he wanted to: Is-that true?" ) "No-no. He-couldn’t, Richard." "Dinah! Look at me!" Mike commanded her in agonized tones. But Diane, struggling for what she believed was right, gripped’ the table for support and, with eyes. averted, spoke to. Mike in hurried, strained reproach, "You had no right to do this! I told you. This is my husband. He means everything to me, everything! Can't you understand? Can’t you see what youWith blanching face, Richard noted Diane’s unwillingness to face Mike and

the strained unnaturalness of her accusation, A..nerve began to twitch in his -eye,: and "his: body stiffened until it shook. ~ ’ "No, Dinah," "Mike was saying. .As-he started towards her, Richard ‘stepped between them. His voice was like granite. "I think she’s decided." "No, she hasn’t," Mike said sharply. "Then. I’ll decide," Richard thundered suddenly at him.. ¢ And as Diane stood rooted to the spot in stark terror, he strode to the gun rack: beside the hall door. It was only when Richard lifted the gun. from. the rack that Diane..found her ‘voice. . With a wild, terrified shriek, she ran to Mike and ‘planted herself before him as a human shield, "Richard-no-it’s Mike!-"’ Her voice rose and broke. Hven then, even in this near danger to Mike, she half caught herself. Her fingers went to her mouth. for in that instant she realised that she had betrayed herself. (Continued on page 52.)

Prizes for Essays on Nas Bed Lie , FRREADERS are reminded that the essay competition dealing with New Zealand birds or forests closes on Sunday, F:)ruary 10. The following prizes have been donated by the New Zealand Bird Protection Society for essays contributed by readers of the ‘Radio Record," the "N.Z. Referee" and the "N.Z. School News": First prize, a cheque for £5; second _ prize, one for £2/10/-; third, three separate prizes of three cloth-bound albums valued at £1 each; fourth, three separate paper-bound albums valued. at: 12/6 each. The albums contain a beautiful collection of coloured reproductions of the more interesting of our native birds. The essays to be of not more than 500 words and upon one of the following subjects:1. Personal Observation of any Native Bird, ar, 2..The Value of the Native | Forest to New Zealand. Recognised ornithological experts are requested to refrain from competing. Entries must be written in ink on one’ side of the paper only and forwarded to the Editor of the "N.Z. Radio Record". by Sunday, February 10: Results, to be judged by an authoritative expert, will be announced as soon as possible thereafter.

Chained The Story of Joan Crawford’ 5 New bas | (Continued from page 49.)-

Richard withdrew his hand from the gun, turned and looked at them both. He had heard it then-from her own lips! Of a sudden he felt spent and weary ; his knees sagged a little. He who prided himself on his physical fitness, knew, in that clairvoyant moment, that this crisis had aged him more in a few seconds than would all the changes of the next ten years to come. But when he spoke a quiet serenity had replaced his earlier fury. "IT know," he said, calmly. "I just wanted to be sure." Mike and Diane heard him in stunned amazement. What had threatened to be a scene of violence and even of bloodshed had passed into one of peaceful quiet. "James." Richard opened the door and spoke out the hall door. "Sir?" James appeared, his unflinching eyes betraying no vestige of the perturbation he felt, for he had heard every word. "Set another place," Richard directed him, coolly. "Perhaps Mr. Bradley will have. breakfast." It was the closest James had ever come, in all his years of. servitude, ‘to a ‘personal display of feelings in regard to his employer’s actions. But with admirable restraint he merely nodded and went towards the table. Richard followed him. Mike, in silent wonder, waited expectantly, while Diane could only gaze at him. Did Richard really mean this? Or what did he mean? Her head spun. Things had happened with such dizzying rapidity that she seemed to be in a fog of bewilderment. As James set another place for Mike at the table, Richard held his hands over Diane’s shoulders. "Your jacket, my dear." In fine consideration he preferred not to look at her as he spoke. Everything else he could manage, but there was a pain in his heart that he knew his eyes reflectéd and it was this that he wanted to save her. He removed her jacket and Diane tried to meet his glance, still unable to believe what his every action seemed to be telling her. She slipped off her beret, and dropped it, with her jacket, on a chair, "Now-some breakfast,’ Richard said. He went to the table as Mike and Diane’s eyes still followed him. He held Diane’s chair, and she, after a second’s hesitation, dropped into it. With a quick gesture her hands went up to her face, covering it, "Myr. Bradley," Richard indicated the other chair and Mike mechanically seated himself. Before taking his place at the table Richard stopped by a small radio set in a corner of the alcove back of his chair. He turned a volume dial. "Wonder what’s on,’ he murmured, manipulating the selector dial. Gradu-

ally the station came over. "While a blanket of ice covers the city this morning in the most severe storm since-" The practical, matter-of-fact voice smote the ear incongruously in this room that had so recently been witness to the tensity of their varied human emotions. Richard quickly changed the station. — The dignified crescendo of an organ filled the room. It swelled like a soft mantle of peace over all of them. Richard nodded his appreciation and sat down, They were placed on three sides of the square table, Diane between them. Her face was still in her hands as she sat there-rigid. For one-or two-or even fifty seconds her consciousness could not grasp the fact that this thing had happened. Detachedly she tried to stand outside herself-to clarify to herself its full import. . Richard waited while James placed the grapefruit for her and Mike, then he motioned to them with his spoon. He addressed Mike pleasantly. "You Say you have a ranch down in the Argentine?" The effort that his every word and gesture had cost him in the past few minutes was beginning to repay him in dividends. For he could speak now with a naturalness and relaxation that was quite genuine. ‘Mike wanted to shout his admiration for Richard-for hig gallantry and courage. Instead he said, "That’s right. Like to have you see it some time," he added with simple unaffected ness. "Like to," Richard replied heartily. "What do you raise, cattle?" "Some. Mostly horses. Thoroughbreds and ponies." "Oh." Richard stopped, remembering poignantly a night some months past at Madison Square Garden, "Wr--you don’t happen to have a pure white horse down there, do you?’ he askeé, deceptively, in an over-casual voice. "Sure have." Mike’s eyes snapped enthusiastically. "Good stock horsa. Arabian. too." "Did he ever stumble with you?" Richard asked, smiling slyly. (Mike grinned. "Not yet." "Well," and ‘Richard glanced = at Dianne, "just a word of caution, Don't let him. I don’t think she’d like it." He smiled at Diane and she slowly lifted her eyes to him. They were filled with tears and a tender, grateful love. She knew that he was thinking of the incident of the horse show, and she returned his smile with a strange and reminiscent one that said, "I did do that then. ven then I gave myself away." In this silent communion she. and Richard were closer together than’ they had ever been before. For a curious, suspended minute Richard tried to imagine what it would have been like to have had her for a daughter, and

with a gladness that he did not try to unalyse he knew that Mike was just the sort of young man he would have been happy for her to have loved. He looked away now so that she could let her eyes receive the tears which had been pounding at him like a floodgate. "How’s the climate down there, Mike? Still good for raising children, too?" "None better." Diane ‘impulsively took MRichard’s hand. He patted it paternally. "Tye a pair of great boys, Mike," he boasted. ‘‘Last time I saw them they couldn’t decide whether to go to Harvard or Yale. Guess their mother and I ought to.get together and help "em." He chuckled ruefully. "I was Princeton ’06." He nodded to Mike in slow conscious acknowledgment of the futility of his age against this youth "That’s a long time ago, Mike." . Diane sobbed openly. ‘"Richard-I -can’t say-anything-" "You aren’t supposed to. Is she, Mike?" . . Mike grinned, although there was an. odd catch in his throat. "Nope." He suddenly extended his hand. "Say -we didn’t shake when I came in.’ "Phat’s right." Richard grasped his hand firmly across the table. Both turned to Diane, who looked from one to the other, tears running down her cheeks. a mixture of emotions in her face, of joy and admiration for both these two splendid, dearly beloved men of hers. , "Hlere-start eating," Richard admonished them. "She won’t get grapefruit like that down in the Argentine, will she, Mike?" ‘ "Not unless our best friend in the States sends us some now and then," Mike topped him, They all attacked the grapefruit. Richard smiled back at Diane, glad for her happiness, then grinned at Mike. . All three felt their hearts expand with love and generous admiration for each other. It was a rare ind beautiful moment-this spiritual commingling of three strong souls who had hurdled a major crisis in their lives with bravery, delicacy and decency. _Another place, another climate, and Keno was just a fast-fading memory us Diane sat back in the car that was rapidly bringing her and Mike nearer to the ranch. Dreamily she noted again the great wide spaces and thought to herself that this time they meant home. As the car drove in the gate, Pable and Johnny excitedly ran out to meet them. After their loud and hearty greetings Mike shooed them away. He wanted to be alone with Diane these first few moments. : The new wing caught her eye. "Why,: the house has -grown up, Mike," she exclaimed, delightedly. . "Sure." He lifted her out of the car. "Like us." At the very door of the house Diane stopped him and murmured in his ear, "Do you remember what you said, Mike? No matter how you spell itwhether there’s a sun-or a moonor it’s raining-’". | "It’s love," he finished for her with a soft kiss. Then‘he carried his bride across the threshold and shut out the world. THE END.