Page:Strange Interlude (1928).djvu/326

320 No!—not yours!—mine!—and Gordon’s!—Gordon is Gordon’s!—he was my Gordon!—his Gordon is mine!

[Soothingly, humoring her—kissing her again]

Of course he’s yours, dear—and a dead ringer for Gordon Shaw, too! Gordon’s body! Gordon’s spirit! Your body and spirit, too, Nina! He’s not like me, lucky for him! I’m a poor boob! I never could row worth a damn!

[He suddenly staggers as if he were very drunk, leaning on —then gives a gasp and collapses inertly to the deck, lying on his back]

[Stares down at him stupidly—then thinking strangely]

I knew it! I saw the end beginning!

[He touches arm—in a low voice]

Nina—your husband!

[Touching who has stood staring straight before him with a bitter ironical smile on his lips]

Ned—your friend! Doctor Darrell—a patient!

[Stares down at —slowly, as if trying to bring her mind back to him]

My husband?

[Suddenly with a cry of pain, sinks on her knees beside the body]

Sam!

[Looking down at him—thinking yearningly]

Is her husband dead at last?