The Washington herald., 1913-12-12
DAILY SHORT STORY

Dick flushed painfully as his fingers
closed over Hers.
mot just yet, little cousin" he said.
better not" then gave her long look
as she left her hand In his and leaning
nearer, looked up into his face.
why not. Dick, dear Is 1t because
you think don't carer
I'VE have always been such friends.
Ii thought perhaps he faltered.
Would you really care to hear?"
Mary closed her eyes 10 gain courage.
Why not? she asked herself; why not
take the love OF this man in place OF that
which had failed her? She would show
Dave how little she cared or his defec-
ton.
yes, care" she whispered. tell me-"
and dropped her head on his shoulder.
| Dick sat as IL turned to stone. Look
| ing down into the face so near his own
he met Mary's eyes swimming In tears.
| I'm waiting, Dick" she murmured.
| T-I-can't," he groaned. "oh. Mary,
Do you really care?"
/ Her cheek was against his.
''Oh. Dick" she sobbed, I've been 50
unhappy Be good to me dear
I'll must tell you he began, strok-
ing her cheek and holding her protec-
4 tingiy.
no" she interrupted. "you needn't T
know, dear. and / have been hcrrid to
you: but it's all right now, isn't it7''
you haven't been anything but kind.
Dave comes first, Of course"
mo one comes before you. Dick"
"But Mary" he broke OF. looking
unbelievingly at the girl IN his arms.
whats the matter, Dick? Don't you
love me?'
st have always loved you, Mary, but
-
1T know you do" she cried. land I'm
going to love you dearly" closing her
eyes lest he see the misery in them.
She had taken his love and at any
cost would make him happy. The
minutes slipped by in silence. They made
no plans for the future nor spoke Of their
happiness Mary was content to have
| Il SO, and Dick seemed unable to put his
feelings into words.
I'VE ought to be starting for home,"
Mary said at length. giving his hand a
/ lingering clasp and turning her head to
| look at him. mo. don't kiss me tonight.
| please, Dickr' she begged; and Dick,
looking deep into her eyes, did not urge
| his claim
As they neared the village they noticed
an unusual commotion. and groups OF
men and women talking together.
4
! of boy who ran swiftly.
"Yes, Dave Newton's shot"
! Mary reefed, throwing out her hands
| for support.
Not Daver' she cried.
Dick caught her as she fell, and when
| she opened her eyes to consciousness she
/ was in the living room at home, with
Aunt Heppie bending over her, and some
/ one standing by the head Of the couch
| whom she could not see. 1t WIS Dick no
doubt: but nothing made any difference
now. she told herself
"Oh. Aunt Heppier' she sobbed, Il
said I would never ask him to come as
long as he lived, and now he's dead and
/ can't ever tell him that l didn't mean
IT."
1 He knows you didn't. darling"
| 1t was Dawes voice. and as she turned
her head he came from behind the couch
and gathered her into his arms.
'.Daver she bresthed. 1T is really
you? They told me"
1 1T was a CHASTITY mistake. dear, and
/ we have each other again"
] Aunt Heppie, where Is Dick? she
/ asked later when Dave had left her.
II think he's writing to that girl
/ again"
what girl:"
/ why, the one he's so set on back
home Didn't you know about her? !
should have thought he'd have told you.
"Ah.'' said Mary, remembering many
/ things. He tried to, but didn't under
stand. Poor Dickr'