The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1914-02-13

reckless risk OF life and limb, but
Dulcie did It safely; but when they
returned Enderby declared he would
never ride with her again and he has
gone back to town, although we all
knew that he came purposely to-er-
well he has been devoted to Dulcie
and he belongs to a remarkably rich
family" sighed Miss Hannah.
Elmer Chesbro had met Enderby
Dawson and he felt some sympathy
for Dulcie, but instantly his heart
hardened when he remembered the
cruel trick she had played upon him
for no reason whatever. He had found
the little car In perfect condition-the
steering gear was faultless In action.
Then-then-when he had stood there
in the chintz-hung chamber talking to
Miss Hannah he had faced a mirror
that reflected the four-post bed and
he had seen Dulcie's lovely eyes open
for an instant,
''Trickery!" he had muttered to
himself and now he had proof Of 1t
in Miss Hannah'B statement that Duh
Gle was an expert driver and given to
reckless practical jokes.
II will make inquiries tomorrow"
he said as he left the house. Il trust
Miss Whitmore may continue to i'm
prove"
Dulcie, lying meekly in the cham
Der, heard his parting words and she
read something beneath their polite
exterior. He had surprised her glance
In the mirror-he knew.
She covered her burning face with
her hands and cried, because she real
lied how cheap and shallow had been
her actions. What could she do to set
herself right with him7
Her aunts made her remain in bed
for several days after that. for they
declared that Dulcie looked feverish,
so Dulcie had many hours In which
to repent Of her Stiffness.
"A lady to see you, Mr.. Chesbro,"
said a clerk. appearing at the door OF
Elmer Chesbro's private office.
Elmer CHESHIRE glanced at the card.
Miss Whitmore." He frowned and
red flush came under his eyes.
Show her In, Jones'" he said.
Dulcie Whitmore came In, looking
very pale and subdued In golden
brown velvet and furs.
Chesbro looked down at her with
unfriendly eyes, but he greeted her
with formal pollteness and brought
her low wicker chair which he re-
served for women clients.
Dulcie found 1t difficult to begin.
She felt very mean and small in this
grave Office so obviously given over
to the transaction of weighty busl-
ness matters. She felt vague sense
of gratitude that he had consented to
see her at all.
"Mr. CHESHIRE, am so sorry-but-
there is something I must tell you"
stammered Dulcie.
"The-er accident All, yes"
Then you knew It wasn't an acct
dent?" blurted forth Dulcie.
81 guessed after awhile-I've won
dered ever since why you did It," said
OueSDTO BSutly'
Dulcie pressed handkerchief to
her wet eyes. She had promised her
self that she would tell 1t all to FL
mer Chesbro-t would be humiliating,
but 1t would do her good, she told
herself
So In hating words she confessed
to Elmer Chesbro-how she had re-
sented his criticism of her as "a little
kid" and how she had just twisted the
little red car around to scare him
and make him feel foolish-and now
she was the only one that felt foolish
she was a perfect idiot-so there!
Chesbro had turned away his head
and was looking out OF the window 80
that Dulcie could not see his face. She
fancied 1t was very grim and stern
and she admitted to herself that she
cared more for his good opinion than
for anything else In the world.
I've been in love with him all this
tlme-that's why 1t hurt me so when
he called me that" she thought with
sudden horror.
"I-hope-you'll forgive me, Mr..
Chesbro," she quavered, as she arose
to go.
He turned swiftly and came to herr
taking her little gloved hands In his
own.
II have an explanation to make" he
said In a curiously repressed tone. II
have never forgotten the moment I
met you first-I fell in love with you
then and there, but when Beth teased
me for an opinion-why, we'll, you
know big brothers don't like to tell
their heart secrets to little sisters, 30
just said that you were a cute little
kid in an off-hand way-never
dreaming that that mischievous Beth
would repeat 1t to you.
"And I've never lost sight OF you
during the years-Pve been frightfully
jealous Of many fellows and saw you
the day you took Enderby Dawson up
the bank by the butternut tree!
was passing in my car and heard you
laughing at him. oh, I'm very bear
ish sort Of fellow where the girl love
is concerned and, because was too
diffident to WOO you myself, was