The Dolores star., 1910-01-14


on table. A moment or two passed.
Then Roland. without another word.
strobe down the veranda steps and
mounting his horse. which stood
hitched at the foot. galloped on.
Alice listened to the beat of the
hoofs until they died away. Then she
went slowly into the house and up to
her room. She felt as though she were
carrying a great weight, and almost
staggered as she reached her door.
Tears blinded her as she entered.
The perfume Of the roses he had
brought her that morning sweetened
the air. There stood his photograph,
manly. handsome, with the smile in
bis eyes that she knew SO well.
Roland. Roland. Roland," she
sobbed and threw herself into a big
armchair In passion OF tears. How
can 1t have happened? What was the
matter with us? You know I love YOU.
Roland-yes. and know you love
me. And yet-if we had hated each
other We couldn't have been more
cruel. Can't love like ours cast out
Misunderstanding and vanity and sci.
hshness? would die gladly II my
death could save him from pain. And
yet could not yield a worthless point
to him-to him who Is worth more
than the whole world to me. We did
not mean what we said-and yet we
have given each other a deadly wound
have insulted our love-have tram.
pied a holy thing in the dust"
The hours slipped by and at last
Alice aroused herself She sat up.
feeling absently at the fourth finger
OF her left hand. She started as she
realized what she was looking for.
Even my finger misses him." shs
whispered. with a pitiful smile.
Behind the house narrow. winding
path made Its way between the apple
trees and past yellow field OF rye.
through a green wood. and over
brook by . rustic bridge. Beyond that
point 1t wandered on, with many a
lovely turn. giving now and again an
enchanting glimpse OF the great river.
until, a mile or more farther. 1t Joined
the highway. II had been the custom
OF the lovers to meet at the little
bridge every evening. and then to
saunter along the path, and home by
a short cut across the golf links.
Alice knew that the hour when she
generally started for the trysting
place was at hand. knew, hesitated.
and finally arose.
He won't be there tonight" she
murmured, land think my heart will
break; but will go-I cannot stay
away"
The shadows were long under the
apple trees as she walked out and
the robins futed joyously. The even
Ing seemed too lovely to belong to
earth. Meant for heaven. 1t had some
how lost its way and dropped. by a
fortunate chance, on our world. As
Alice moved slowly along the fragrant
path. seeing in the sky the wonderful
ever changing shades of rose and
green and purple. hearing music from
hundred happy birds. breathing the
balmy air. an indescribable peace en-
tered her troubled heart. What though
anger and Misunderstanding lay be-
hind? She knew 1t was all right now.
Roland would be waiting for her, wait
Ing with look Of perfect comprehen-
sion. and she would not even need to
speak. But speak she would. and as
she never had before-to tell him how
deep. how great her love was, and
that never more should a shadow dar-
ken 1t. Never. never! The birds sang
always more sweetly. and the wind
among the branches made tender har-
monies that chimed with the love in
her heart.
And now she passed the yellow
grain. and now entered the woods, and
there. indeed. midway on the bridge,
where the sun sent a mellow CLEAN
through the overarching branches,
stood her lover awaiting her. A wave
of happiness surged over her. taking
her breath for an instant She stopped
and then ran forward with hands out
stretched. calling in voice low but
Of piercing tenderness:
my dearest, l knew that l should
find you'll knew you would be here.
II you had not, think 1 should have
died."
In a moment they were in each
others arms. and at his kiss the last
faint doubt or lingering veil of bit
terness. II any there was. passed ut
terly out Of Alice's heart, and 1t
seemed to her that in that instant for
the first time she knew happiness
supreme, divine.
Have you waited long. Roland!"
she asked.
Not long, dear"
And you forgive me?"
THE fault was as much mine az
yours. Alice" he whispered. And,
after all, there is nothing real except
our love-"
With their arms about each other
they sauntered on down the path. The
dying radiance Of the sun made q
glory about them. the trees whispered
and swayed over their heads. and II