The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1914-10-29

1850 NOANOs
II don't know what I'm going to do.
Ever since I was little girl there was
Enoch. l never had anybody else be-
longing to me, only ] never missed
them, for had him."
She stretched out her hands as a
child might have done and raised her
face to the man beside her as If in
appeal for help and guidance. He took
her fingers between his own with a
swift grasp. caught her in his arms.
and kissed her.
!, "Dorcas, tell me, tell me the truth.
Do you love me?"
Their eyes met, and the girl under
stood. A bewildering happiness which
TRANSPORTED life throbbed through her
heart and body. Merry's face was
luminous, his eyes shone, he seemed
TRANSPORTED, in one abrupt moment,
from a listless visionary to man
alive with manly vitality.
Doroas heard the moments licked
out by the little gilt clock on the man.
tel. Time did not count. The world
had changed. She realized what hap
piness meant, happiness which
closed a door upon every intolerant
thing in the world. She remembered
how in the play she had simulated,
night after night, the Joy Of a woman
as she met her lover. She had spent
days in working up that semblance OF
radiant gladness. She had played the
scene many times to an outburst of
applause, now she smiled, it seemed so
pale and Intellectual TO her today.
Andrew put his fingers under her
chin, raised her face, and looked into
her eyes.
Dearest" he asked, "are you sure
sure that you love met"
EYES," she whispered.
Listen, don't answer for minute.
l want you to understand. l would
not be satisfied unless I have every
thing. I want you to trust me, to be-
lieve in me, and to love me as wom'
an like you could love a man. One
night, months ago, / had it in my
heart to ask you this. That night ]
felt like man who, lonely and cold
tramps through the streets of city
looking into firelit, happy homes That
night l wanted your love, your faEh-
yourself. You know the night mean,
when you pulled me out of he'll and
set my feet on the high road. Then
you might have given me pity, per-
haps-"
Dorcas interrupted him. She put
up her hand and pushed aside the lock
Of hair which had strayed over his
forehead.
II do not think, then, 1t would have
been pity-alone," she confessed.
He took her in his arms again. "A
man ought to have pride and manli'
ness enough" he said passionately, ito
want his wife to love him without one
touch of pity. And yet, have wanted
you so long. 1 have not host OF
friends, like some men. l am lonely.
Life has been so empty for me. / want
a home, where a wife Is waiting to
welcome me-and little children, dear"
He lifted her hand and kissed it. "You
would think me a foolish fellow II
confessed the dreams / have had. /
have dreamed of you opening the door
of our home, Of you coming to meet
me with a smile and outstretched
arms. / have dreamed Of feeling your
kiss upon my lips, OF holding you
close to my heart as do now. l have
been dreaming foolish dreams like
these" he laughed TREMENDOUSLY, since
that night in November, and / have
scarcely dared to hope that you even
believed in me-"
Dorcas smiled into his eyes. ct have
always believed in you. / never lost
faith in you or in your genius for
one moment. And" she paused as II
making confession, 81 have loved you
for a long time, ever since that night,
the same night, when you came back
and l was so happy"
"That night" said Andrew, "was the
miracle moment of my life"
"Was it so wonderful as that?" She
whispered.
when l think, dearest, Of what you
have stood for to me, it is miracle.
1T is an everyday miracle!"
There are no everyday miracles"
said Merry. Then he kissed her
again.
She turned away from him to stare
out at the window again. On the side
walks the rush of city life went on
unanimously. Half an hour before
she had thought the street sordid and
ugly. It had changed. The street
lights, now clear and white. were
circled about by lovely halos. The
voices of the children were sweeter
and gentler. Next door the servant.
who was still at work, sang a lifting
Irish ballad. Through it ran a con-
slant iteration of "My own sweet lad"
"Dorcas," Merry spoke hesitatingly,
you said you trusted me?"
81 do" The girl raised her head
with a quick gesture.
81 cannot explain now" he began.
ct cannot ask you to be my wife until
something which looks like an utter
tangle has been Strengthened out Can
you go on trusting, even II I cannot
explain?"
"Yes," Dorcas laughed. 81 can go
on trusting you indefinitely"
Don't" he cried, don't say-indef'
nitely. want you now. darling. and
forovnrD