Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-12
not take her away from me. -

not take her away from me-"
Half OF the year only"
mo, no, no" She walked to the window
and looked out at the hammock. He fol-
lowed her. There was just a glimpse of
tangled yellow curls at the edge of the
hammock, and one small, soiled hand
tanned and dimpled
She's only a baby. Rob; not four yet
You couldn't take her away. What would
she do without me, Rob? A man doesn't
understand. OF course, legally. I suppose
it seems right She is yours as well as
mine, but more mine. OH Rob, so much
more mine, my own baby girl" Her voice
broke in sobs and she leaned her head on
her arm against the window casing.
Dixon stared at the little hand that hung
over the side of the hammock
"She loves me, too he said steadily
Il think l could make her happy. There
has been no separation in the past in the
love, just we three. When she was sick,
you remember, the first year, and we
thought she was going away from US,
watched, too that night-you remember,
and your sorrow was mine, and she seemed
ours equally. And last summer, the day
she lost you know the time, and We
hunted all day, until at last there was only
the river, and we went down to it together
expecting to find her there, she seemed as
much mine as yours, did she not? The
dread and love were equal were they not?
IL yours were tenderer, then mine Were
doubled, for | had two or fear for
She silent and the sobbing was
checked. He waited a moment. and then
went on:
"By our own act and wish we have
agreed to separate our lives 1t Is our
affair, apart from the world, but not apart
from Pearl. The time will come when she
will ask why we did it. Whatever we may
do towards shaping our own lives, we have
no right to commit an act that will make
her, from your standpoint, fatherless.'
II did not mean that" she interrupted
You could see her.
LAS a stranger might call? 1t is not that
the mere seeing her, that | want. | simply
mean to retain my place and influence in
her life. the natural daily development Of
half her life. at least"
"Hushi' said Vera warningly.
A towsled curly head appeared over the
edge of the hammock. The gray kitten
mewed. and slipped to the floor, as Pearl
climbed out and stood irresolute. her brown
eyes heavy with the light of dreamland.
"Papal' she called.
Their glances met
Don't tell her?'
II want to ask her" said Dixon, and
pulled aside the curtain. The instant she
cry, and promptly came through the open
window to his arms. After the first ecstatic
hug, she demanded:
Where you was been at?"
Been way off, said Dixon. gravely.
Mustn't go way off any more" Pearl
shook her curls at him seriously, both arms
folded lovingly around his neck. Dixon
didn't look at her. His cheek was pressed
to the yellow curls and when he spoke for
the first time his tone was unsteady.
Listen, sweetheart. papa must go away
away off on the train, away from home and
mamma and everything.
Way from Pink Baby, an Polly Ann, an
Nanny Dinah an Jane Juliette?"
Yes, love. away from all. Will you come
with papa, all alone away from everybody
but just papa?
Mamma. too?" said Pearl, and Vera
turned from them, her face white with sus-
pense.
Would you rather stay home, dear?"
Dixon tried to speak naturally. Mamma
can't come with us. Would you rather stay
home or go with me?'
Want to do bofe.'' said Pearl hopefully
But, dear heart, you can't"
"Oh, don't. don't ask her. Rob-" She
spoke with quick insistence. How can she
understand the necessity for such a thing?
1t isn't fair to make her choose, that baby
l don't think she ought to even know-for
awhile-unth she is old enough to UNDER
stand
understand what?" His eyes met hers
with long. full look. do we understand
ourselves, perfectly?"
There was still the challenge In her an
swer.
IF 1t had not been for the letter 1t might
have been different. There can be no love
where there is no confidence
But 1t was small test for love to STUN
BILE over, was 1t not. dearT. He set Pearl