Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-11-16
CHAPTER XII.

lYn before the hearth, her face flushed and wet with tears. Instantly, all con cern, the elder girl knelt beside her.
 "Marylyn," she begged, smoothing the soft unbraided hair spread out upoI the robe, "Marylyn, what's the mat ter:"
 A long sob.
 Why, dear baby, don't you fret We're going to be all right. Dadl soon be back, MT. Lounsbury's watch ing, and we won't lose the little home
 "Oh, it ain't that it ain't thatr weeping harder than before. I'm SC unhapoyn'
 It was an answer that Smote Dallas to the heart. Some trouble, heretofore concealed, was threatening her sisters peace of mind. And she had not dis covered it in time, had not prevented 1t, had not shielded her as she ought.
 "Marylyn, honey, tell me what's the matter"
 The younger girl crept closer, screen ing her eyes.
 Dallas lifted her into her arms. Her cheek was feverish, her hands were dry and hot.
 Sudden terror seized the elder girl the old terror that had fastened upon her through all the years of her moth CTS failing.
 "Marylyn," she said huskily, do you feel that--that you're not as well as you was? Are you afraid you'll be sick like-mother?"
 There was an answering shake of the head
 Dallas pressed her close, murmuring her thankfulness, whispering broken endearments "Oh. Dars so glad. She couldn't stand it if her baby sister was to suffer. Oh, honey heart, honey heartr'
 But Marylyn was not comforted. "Listen,' bade Dallas. Tn all your life have you ever asked me to do any thing that 1 didn't do, or to give you anything that I didn't give if I could :? And now something's fretting you. can't think what it is. But you got to tell me, and I'll help you out"
 No, no"'
 II don't care what it is, I won't blame you. If it's something wrong why, it couldn't be-I'll forgive you. You know that, Marylyn."
 Again No, mo-" but with less re- sistarce.
 "Tell me-" said Dallas firmly.
 Marylyn looked up. You'll hate me if l do," she faltered.
 The elder girl laughed fondly. AS if I could"
 You promise not to tell pa?"
 Course promise"
 "Oh. Dallas" She buried her face in her hands. ''It's-it's that I-I like him! l like him.
 A moment of perpleXity. Then. gradually, it dawned upon the elder girl whom the other meant. In very surprise her arms lOoSened their hold.
 You do hate me-" Marylyn said plaintivcly.
 No. honey. no-why should I hate you?" Her words were earnest. But her voice-somcthing had changed 1t. And she felt a strange hurt, vague hurt that seemed to have no cause.
 Marylyn raised herself on an elbow. He liked me-once," she said. He showed Ii just as plain. It was right here-that day the cattle went by"
 Dallas got up. She had begun to tremble visibly. Her breath was com ing short, as if she had been running.
 But the younger girl did not notice. He stayed away so long," she went on. Then. today when he came-you remember. Dallas-he just said word or two tO me and laughed at me be- cause I was afraid. And-and saw that I was wrong, and I-I saw-he llked-you."
 Me" Dallas turned She felt the blood come driving into her face. She felt that strange burt ease and go in a rush of joyful feeling. Then she un- derstood the cause of it and why she had trembled- why that day had been the happieSt of her life
 Of a sudden she became conscious that MayIyn's eyes were upon her with look of pathetic reprnach. She began to laugh.
 Nonsense. honey she said. Don't be silly. Me. Why. he'd never like a great big gawk like me-
 "But-hui
 Me. with my red hair-you know It is kinda red and my face. Sunburned as a' Indian hands all calloused like like a mans" She turned back to the dusk through thc window "Oh. no. not me-
 ''BUt you looked so funny just now" Did IF Did I:- Dallas stammerei out her reason. "WeIl-vclI. that was t--cause-hecause I thought you was going to say iJ was a soldier" She laughed nervnusly- But It was Mir Lounsbury you meant. honey. wasn't itg'
 The suspicion that had troubled the mind of inc younger girl was alIlysI- Why. Dallas how could you think such a thing ahout me, Like a soldier: My. no. It was Mir Iounsbury-but lle don't Ike me.
 She got ID and went to the foot cf heT fathers bunE- Wh@n sha TpanVearei she was car-yinG -,se s01p Isy that held her teIongil-S On the rnEe 0nce more. ste tCFE out 7nI hriI U7 to f1le u=zl CT rre rrc t-o nzpyzs ana -sfrE1 sf beaded cs0th- TEe efIa- Beft the -fnslow and stno5 i. Ies5Ea her
 -Iha@a are %zet Ee gave ma r-gnr .