Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-12-03

APARTMENTS
her duty in August, but to have Ray
run away from her. why, it was I'M
thinkable!
cit sounds harsh, l know the man
went on steadily, "but you asked for
an explanation and" o%bstinately, 81
intend to make it in all it's badness.
But as | don't care to shout it into the
face of a car full I'll take the liberty
of sitting beside you"
He suited his action to the word, and
Harriet's fingers laced themselves to-
gether with spasmodic strength as he
spoke close to her ear.
Lets see, Harry. It's just seven
years ago today that l gave my first
bachelor Thanksgiving dinner, and
you were there. Do you remember?'
She nodded mutely.
From that day to-well, u last
talk, L have known no independence
of your will. l have served for you
faithfully seven years."
Harriet's finger nails pressed into her
palms. and her breath came Irregular
~. He went on:
lit was my study and work to win
you. and to that end l ordered NV
life. You were worth it, Harry, had
seven years won you. l have no word
of blame for you. Pm not discussing
your side of the situation now, but nv
own"
The girl beside him remembered.
with q pang of regret.
Pm merely trying to get at this.
Up in the woods last August l deter
mined that my happiness should no
longer be dependent ON YOU
Ray suddenly broke off and looked
at her. Her eyes wavered and fell be-
fore his. Down in her throat was a
sob she was striving to keep there.
Fol- the first time the mans voice
softened.
You'll think it harsh. but have set
out to tell you the whole truth about
my new determination. I have thought
you the sweetest woman God ever
made. but in order to achieve nv indie.
pendence | an unthinking that"-the
sob forced itself high in Harriet's
throat-"and | fully intend'-
Again he broke off and glanced
across the aisle. The bride was look
Ing into her husbands eyes with a
face trimming over With love and
rust. Ray drew a long breath. and
his voice faltered when he spoke again.
II want Il home. not endless bache.
ior apartments. and love returned as
well as given, and when I've achieved
my Independence shall seek them
again." He ended abruptly. with a lit
tie gesture across the aisle.
"Ray!" The sob broke out with the
word. Ray" 1t was a sob which
shattered seven years of logic. doubts,
questionings. and left her woman's
heart pleading for love.
Instantly a big tanned hand lay on
the cushion between them. it's palm
turned up in mute asking. and the next
moment it closed over a small one that
dropped into it with a quick passionate
movement. a very abandonment of Civ
ing.
Sweetheart. I was a long way from
my iioSPSIoClSS, Wills
pered Ray, and the pressure of the
fingers within his answered him. Har-
rlet's face. flushed. tear stained, happy,
was close against the window.
"Some way it was the sight opposite
that gave me c~ourage-not a silly sight
Harry. dear
A vehement shake Of the head
against the window proclaimed hel
suddenly altered views, and then, de.
spite tears and bushes, she glanced
around at the couple across the aisle.
The mar was answering a chance ac-
quaintance who had come in from an
other car, ard his voice, bluff and mer-
ry, was interesting half the occupants
Of the Pullman.
Think we're on our wedding tour,
do they? Ha. hal" laughed the man
opposite That's n good Joke. DC you
remembcr-it's exactly ten years z
today that we stared on our wedding
trip!'