The Washington herald., 1914-01-30

But they're all right. too. But-what
makes you go out with-that man. His
face darkened a Httle
Because 1 like him." she replied. He
! anuses me-"
And don't," Jerry's scowI deepened.
are you trying to make me Jealous.
Doris?"
The girl looked at him. and b.r fac.
! sobered- You always amuse me. Jerry.
There Is no reason for friends to be ieaI-
Gus when L go out with you-and he has
better sense. There-I hear him." Sh.
glanced toward the hall
Doris. said Jerry hastily, will YOU
be at home tomorrow night?''
She looked at him. Yes she an
swered, but 1 shall want to go to bed
early. It's my hard day at the office TO-
morrow. and j shall be out late tonight"
Jeffries entered. well dressed. confident.
The two men spoke pleasantly, ex
changed a few remarks. and Doris and
Jenries said good night and left Jerry
fier with the Carson parents. Mrs Car
son was quiet and kindly, and Mr. Car
son his bluff self. Doris had said moth
ing to them, but they secretly applauded
her action. and both talked pleasantly,
but kept away from the subject of their
daughter. Jerry fingered a while and
then went home with a serious face.
1t was nearly two weeks before he saw
Doris again really to talk with her. She
/ went out with Jeffries or with some
| woman friend. or went to bed early. He
could not believe his own senses. When
he did see her there came a reckoning,
out Doris had changed. She was frank
| when he questioned her.
| Doris, you knew i loved YOU"
You never said So" she submitted,
calmly, seeing a thousand miles away.
Jerry came to her and reached for her
hand. but look from her made him
withdraw his own.
Listen. I've been buying and fixing up
! that Townsend house. It's as GOOD a
place as there is in town. and expensive
I wanted to offer you everything i could
when / offered myself Are YOU irving
to drive me mad? Why are you treating
| me like this?''
| Jerry, I'm not treating you anyway.
| You're making a big mistake-Tm not
! trying to make you jealous or to lead you
on The plain truth is that woke up 10
the TACT that 1 was doing myself an in
justice. I've devoted myself to Won so
entirely that I've lost good friends and
good times-all but those you gave me-
We were more than friends, YOU and |.
| and less than lovers. I've been going
about with Peter Jeffries because I like
| him-to be honest. / am trying to fall
In love with him. He is worth it-but-''
| DORIS eyes frightened and widened
/ and her cheek flushed
| And you-don't love me as 1--we
you?' persisted Jerry. II tell YOU right
| here that I've been blind and selfish
/ and unbelievably a fool I might have
| known thae-l should have told you that
was stalking my whole happiness on
You. Dorrie. There's no girl in the
world OF women for me except you. Is
\ your warmth and kindness of heart
' To
stopped suddenly at . little gesture from
her.
lido love you" she admitted slowly.
don't even mind telling you, but
somehow j feel resentful toward YOU.
It's little hardness in me-a place
that frozen over. as You say I-Jerry.
don't want to love you'll
Doris did not finish. The man stood
looking at her moment as she made a
motion Tor him to come no closer Then
| suddenly he sprang toward her and put
| both arms around her. She struggled,
but he drew her close. and spoke his
voice tense with feeling.
4 love YOU. Dorisi And you love me
you've said so! was a stupid fool-to wais
before telling you. 1t seemed so sweet
just to be sure of each other without eth
| er of us saying so, but this is sweeterr Z
might have known that no woman could
\ thrive on silence. But You are mine now
| I'll make up for my silence. / love YOU
want you to marry me now Perhaps
you'd like the fun of helping fix I'D the
place? I never thought of that. Doris,
II there's frozen place in your heart,
I'll thaw it. Do you hearr"
Doris stopped pulling away. And in a
moment she turned and leaned her face
tight against him. Then softly she began
to cry. Jerry Pier consoled her and knew
| that all was we'll. She denied him nothing
but he learned his lesson.