Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-08-15
listening to the few words of her an


swer.
Il think ! wanted you SO that my
will called you out" he said in an i'm.
passioned whisper.
She said nothing and suddenly his
hand sought hers, clasped 1t tight on
the head of the lion, and he whispered
again:
"Oh, Rose, if l could see you now
and then-only for a moment like
this"
He felt her hand. small and cold.
crush softly inside his. and almost i'm
mediately was conscious of her effort
to withdraw it. He instantly loosened
his fingers. let hers slide from his
grasp, and drew back.
Good night" she said hurriedly.
and without looking at him turned and
| went up the steps.
1t was great morning for Cornelia.
She was engaged. Two evenings be-
fore, Jack Duffy, who had been hover
ing round the subject for month,
poised above it, as n hawk above de-
lighted prey, had at last descended
and Cornelia's anxieties were at an
end. /
The wind was not yet out in force;
its full, steady sweep would not be
inaugurated till early in the afternoon.
1t came now in gusts which fell upon
Cornelia from the back and acc<lerat-
ed her forward progress. throwing out
on either side of her Tapping sail
of skirt.
1t was after midday when she found
herself approaching that particular
block. along the edge of which tho
fiower-venders place their baskets and
display their wares. The boys and
men, seeing that the brilliant lady
was in a generous mood, collected
about her. shouting out the excellences
of their particular blossoms.
Cornelia, amused and somewhat be-
wildered, looked at the faces and
bought recklessly.
well. Cornelia, are you trying to
corner the curb-stone market?"
She wheeled swiftly and saw her
brother.
"Dominick!" she exclaimed. you're
Just the person / want to see. l was
going to write to you. I've got lots
to tell you.'
|
with me. I was on my way up to
Bertrand's when ] saw you. They'll
give us a good lunch there and you
can tell me all your secrets"
They walked up the street toward
Bertrand's, French restaurant which
for years had enjoyed the esteem Of
the city's gourmets.
In the restaurant they found va
cant table in a corner, and Cornelia
had to bottle up her good news while
Dominick pondered over the bill OF
fare. She was impatient and drummed
on the table with her fingers. while
her eyes roamed about the room.
The order given and the first
stages of lunch appearing. Cornelia
could at last claim her brothers full
attention.
81 told you how awfully anxious
was to see you. and how I was going
to write to you, didn't II"
Her brother looked up and his eye
was caught by her rosily-blushing
cheeks. r.
Dear me, Cornie." he said with .
look OF slowly -dawning comprehen-
sion. 1T really isn't-it really can't
be-"
And why can't 1t be?" looking very
much hurt whats there SO queer
about that?"
Nothing. only l meant that hadn't
heard any rumors about It. Is Il
that?"
Yes, 1t is, Dominick Ryan. and
don't see why you should be sossur-
prised."
thar
prised. I'm deligHted-haven't been
so pleased for years. Who is it?"
Jack Duffy"
"Oh. Cornie, that's the best yeti
That's great! It's splendid. | wish
could kiss you, but ] can't here in
the open restaurant Why didn't you
tell me somewhere where we would be
alone? I'd just like to give YOU a
good hug"
Cornelia leaned across the table and
spoke with low-toned, almost tremu-
lous earnestness:
you know that IL 1t were !, I'd ask
your wife. You know that all the hard
feelings ! may once have had against
her have gone. If 1t were for me to
say, I'd have received her from the
start What I've always said ia,
What's the good of keeping up these
fights? No one gets anything by them.
They don't do any one any good But
you know mommer. The first thing
she said when we talked about the
house wedding, and ! said you'd give
me away. was, If he'll come without
his WIFE"
There were tears in her eyes and
Dominick saw them and looked down
at his plate.
"All right" he said quietly I'll