The Red Cloud chief., 1914-07-23

for keeps"
Months ago. He has kept his prom.
ise until now I know he has. The
strange part Of 1t Is, the woman her
self hates him. She says vile things
about him."
ITO you"
mo, not to mel" cried Merry
quickly. "She never speaks to me.
We have reached the freezing point in
our acquaintance"
Dorcas rose and walked to the win
dow with her hands clasped tightly
together. There we're grave questions
to be decided and burdens to be lifted
strange, unaccustomed burdens.
She began to speak in a strange. tone
/ less voice.
II don't know what I'm going to do.
Ever since l wal a little girl there was
Enoch. I never had anybody else be-
longing to me, only l never missed
them. for I had him."
She stretched out her hands as q
child might have done and raised her
face to the man beside her as II 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 b%ewildering happiness which
TRANSPORTED life throbbed through her
heart and body. Merry's face was
luminous. his ayes shone. he seemed
TRANSPORTED. in one abrupt moment.
from a %listless visionary to q man
alive with manly vitality.
Dorcas heard the moments licked
out by the little gilt clock on the a
tel. Time did not count The world
had changed. She realized what hap
piness meant, a 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 m
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, 1t 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"
YES" she whispered.
Listen, don't answer for a minute.
| 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 q wom-
an like you could love q man. n
night, months ago, I had 1t In my
heart to ask you this. That night
felt like a man who. lonely and cold.
tramps through the streets OF a city
looking into firelit. happy homes. That
night / wanted your love. your faith
yourself. You know the night mean.
when you pulled me out Of hell and
set my feet on the high road. Then
you might have given me pity. per
haps--"
1 Dorcas interrupted him. She put
up her hand and pushed aside the lock
Of hair which had strayed over his
forehead.
81 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
D ness enough" he said passionately. "to
want his wife to love him without one
touch of pity. And yet. l have wanted
you so long. l have not a host o.
q friends, like some Q I am lonely
Life has been so empty for me. I want
u q home, where q wife is waiting tc
welcome me--and little children. dear
He lifted her hand and kissed 1t. "Yot
would think me a foolish fellow II
confessed the dreams l have had.
a have dreamed of you opening the dool
of our home, OF you coming to NEE
n me with a smile and outstretchet
arms. l have dreamed OF feeling you
!, kiss upon my lips. of holding YOU
close to my heart as do now. hav'
- been dreaming foolish dreams lik'
these" he laughed tremulously. "sinc'
that night in November. and ! hav'
!. scarcely dared to hope that you evel
believed In me-"
a Dorcas smiled into his eyes. Il hav'
always believed in you. l never los
a faith In you or in your genius TO
one moment. And" she paused as !
making confession. Il have loved yo'
N for q long time. ever since that night
the same night. when you came bacI
and l was SO happy"
THAT night" said Andrew, was tn
~ miracle moment Of my life."
~ "Was 1t so wonderful as that?" oh
whispered.
when think, dearest, OF what 20
). have stood for to me. 1t is a miracle.
ut Is an everyday miracle!"
"There are nc everyday miracles.
-. said Merry. Then he kissed he
In again.
~ She turned away from him to star
out at the window again. On the sid'
walks the rush Of city life went o
unanimously. Half an hour befor
. - nod thought the street SOrdid an