The Washington herald., 1911-01-22
CHAPTER XXXII.

CHAPTER xxxn
~ nee again. on a rainy Sunday. weeks after
Inward. Daylight proposed to Dede. As on the
first time, he restrained himself until his hun
/ger for her overwhelmed him and swept him
away in his red automobile to Berkeley He
left his machine several blocks away and proceeded to
the house on foot But Dede was out the landlady's
daughter told him. and added second thought that
she out walking in the hills Furthermore, the
young lady directed him where Dedes walk was most
likely to extend.
the street he followed passed the last house and itself
ceased where began the first steep slopes the open
hills The air damp with the Oncomng Of ran for
the storm had not yet burst though the rising wind
proclaimed its immnence. As far he could see
there was sign Of Dede the smooth grassy hills
To the right, dipping down into hollow and rising
again. large, full grown eucalyptus grove. Here
all was noise and movement. the lofty, slender
trunked trees swaying back and forth in the wind
and cashing their branches together. In the squalls
above all the minor noises of creaking and groaning
arose a deep drumming note of mighty harp
he would find her somewhere in this grove where
the storm effects were so pronounced And find her
he did, across the hollow and the exposed crest of
the opposing slope where the gale smote its hercest
blows
There something monotonous Though not tire
some. about the way Daylight proposed GuItess of
diplomacy subterfuge, he was direct and gusty
the gale ITSELF He had time neither for greeting
nor apology.
I've come for you. You've just got to have me- Dede
for the more think about it the more certain am
that you've got sneaking liking for me that's some
thing more than Just ordinary liking: and you don't
dast say that 1t isn't, now, dast you?"
He had shaken hands with her at the moment he
began speaking and he had continued to hold her
hand. Now. when she did not answer she felt ngh,
but firmly inslstent Of his drawing her
him. Invountarily she half yielded to him. her de-
sire for the moment stronger than her will. Then
suddenly she drew herself away, though permitting
her hand still to remain in his
You sure amt afraid of me7" he asked with quick
compunction.
mo-" she smiled wofully, mot of you but Of my
"You haven't taken my dare" be urged under this
"Please, please" she begged. I'VE can never
marry, SO don't let us discuss it."
Then / copper your bet to lose" He was almost
gay now, for success coming faster than his
fondest imagining. She liked him without doubt;
and without doubt she liked him we'll enough to let
him hold her hand well enough to be not repealed by
the nearness Of him. She shook her head.
mo; it is impossible. You would lose your bet"
For the first time a dark suspicion crossed Day.
lights mind-a clew that explained everything.
Say. you amt been let in for some one Of these
secret marriages, have your
The CONSERVATION LII his voice and on his face was
too much for her, and her laugh rang out merry and
spontaneous as a burst Of joy from the throat of
Daylight knew his answer and vexed with himself
decided that action was more efficient than speech
So he stepped between her and the wind and drew
her that she stood close In the shelter Of him. An
unusually stif squan blew about them and thrummed
overhead in the treetops, and both paused listen.
A shower OF flying leaves enveloped chem, and hard
on the heels Of the wind driving drops Of IA
looked down her and her hair, wind blown about
her and because of her clOseness to him and Of
fresher and more poignant realization of what she
meant to him he trembed that she aware Of
it in the hand that held hers.
She suddenly leaned against him. bowling her head
until 1t rested lightly upon his breast. And SO they
stood while another squall, with flying leaves and
denness she lifted her head and looked at him.
DO you know" she said Il prayed last night about
lose everything everything"
Daylight stared his Amusement at this cryptic ut
terance.
That sure beats me. always said got out Of
my depth with women and you've got me out Of my
depth now. Why you want me to lose everything.
seeing you like me-
II never said So"
you didn't dast say you didn't. So. as 1 was
saying, liking me. why you'd want to 20 broke
in line with that other puzzer Of yours the more
youlike-me want to- marry-me one Well
you've just got to explain. that's ALL
His srm5 went srOund her and held her closely.
and this time she did not resist Her head was
bowed and he could not see her face, yet he had a
premontion that she was crying. He had learned
matter. Things had come to such a pass that she
was bound to tell him something now. OF that he
Il am not romantic" she began, again looking at
him as she spoke 1T might be better for me IL
@ the could I'd. make "a fol Of myself and ,.
nable common sense prevents And that doesr's
make me bit happier either"
I'm still out Of my depth and swimming feeble.
Daylight said. after waiting vainly for her to 70 on
you've got to show me and you amt shown me yet
Your common sense and praying that I'd 90 broke
you mighty bard and want you to marry me. That's
straight and simple and right OF the bat win you
She shook her heaoslowly. .ndthen. as she talked.
.eemed to grow angry. sadly axsry-and Daylight
new that this anger was against him.
ply q you have asked" she paused, q il csstina
lbout for beginning You are honest and straisht-
!orward 20 yoa wan: ne % b honest and straight.