Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-01-27


pletely and wept like little girl. He
was out there now with his love
They would never waste a thought
upon that other girl who had made
their happiness possible. The thought
was almost more than she could bear.
Never again could she have Boyd to
herself. never enjoy his careless friend
ship as Of old. Even that was over
now that he knew the truth.
The first and only kiss he had ever
given her burned fresh upon her lips
She recalled that evening they had
spent alone in this very room. when he
had seemed to waver and her hopes
had risen at the dawning Of new
light in his eyes. At the memory she
cried aloud as II her heart woCl
break:
Boyd! Boyd!'
He entered noiseIessly and took her
In his arms.
"Yes. dear!' he murmured. But she
rose with startled exclamation and
wrenched herself from his embrace.
The piano gave forth discordant
crash Shrinking back as from an ap
partition. she stared into his flushed
and smiling face. then breathed:
"You! Why are you here7"
Because love you"
She closed her eyes and swayed as II
under the spell Of wonderful music.
He saw the throbbing pulse at her
throat. Then she flung out her hands.
crying piteously:
Go away. please, before ! find 1t is
only another dream"
She raised her lids to find him still
standing there, then felt him with fiut-
tering fingers.
"Our dreams have come true" he
said gently and strove to imprison her
hand.
mo, nor' Her voice broke wildly.
"You don't mean 1t. You-you haven't
come to stay"
II have come to stay IL you will let
me, DEAR
She broke from his grasp and moved
quickly away.
"Why are you here? l left you out
there with-her. made your way
clear. Why have you come back?
What more can do? Dear God, what
more can do?" She was painting as
If desperately frightened.
There is but one thing more you can
do to make me happy. You can be my
wife,
But don't understand" She shook
her head hopelessly. You are Testing
with me. You love Miss Wayland."
mo. Miss Wayland leaves tonight.
and shall never see her again."
Then you won't marry herr"
mo"
A dull color rose to Cherry Malotte's
cheeks. She swallowed as If her throat
were very dry and said slowly:
"Thcn she refused you in spite Of
everything and you have come to me
because Of what told you this after
noon. You are doing this out of pity.
or is it because you are angry with
her? No. no. Boyd! won't have it.
l don't want your pity; don't want
what she cast of"
1T has taken me long time to find
myself. Cherry. for l have been blind
ed by VISION" he answered. Il have
been dreaming. and never saw clear
ly till today. came away Of my own
free will. and l came straight to you.
because it is you l love and shall al
ways love"
The girl suddenly began to beat her
hands together.
"You-forget what l-have been"
she cried in voice that tore her
lovers heartstrings. You can't want
to-marry me?"
Tonight" he said simply and held
out his arms to her. II love you and
want you. That is all know or care
about"
He found her upon his breast. sob
bling and shaking as If she had sought
shelter there from some great peril.
He buried his face in the soft masses
of her hair. whispering fondly to her
till her emotion spent itself. She turn
ed her face shyly up at length and
pressed her lips to his. Then. holding
herself away from him. she said. with
half doubtful yet radiant look:
ut is not too late yet will give
you one final chance to save yourself"
He shook his head.
"rhen l have done my duty! She
snuggled closer to him. "And you
have no regrets?"
"Only one. am sorry that l cant
give you more than my name. may
have to go out into the world and be-
gin all over If Mr.. Wayland carries
out his threat. l may be the poorest
Of the poor"
THAT will be my opportunity to
show how we'll l love you. You can
be no poorer than l in this worlds
goods.'
"You at least have your copper
NINE"
II have no mine." said the girl. mot
even the smallest interest in one"
"But-l don't understand"
She dropped her eyes. 'Mr billiard
is a hard man to deal with. had to
give him all my share in the claims"
81 suppose you mean you sold out to