The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-11-26
she would have to call him back her

oASAS 40 AVOOOy AAnV AAAA' Ice, al
other cup, dear, please" Anne fled
softly back to her room, her cheeks
and eyes ablaze, fury in her heart.
How dared they? How dared they
discuss her affairs and side with
Richard? Then it came upon her
that those two dear persons, the
dearest in the world, loved her and
had a right to say to each other
what they thought about their own
child.
And they we're right. That was
the worst of it. What should she
do? After a moments hesitation
she went quietly down and took her
place at the table, bidding them
good morning as if nothing had oc-
cured. Harry and Jean came chas-
ing each other down the hall to join
the family, and then everybody
seemed to begin talking and laugh
ing. In spite of herself Anne be-
came interested. She laughed, and
at her new good nature Harry Of
fered to play golf with her-su-
preme condescension on his part.
She accepted.
Then, as her father left his seat,
she followed another impulse-she
offered to walk to the office with
him for the exercise. His eyes wild
ened a little with surprise, but they
started off joyfully together, father
and tall daughter, I'm in arm,
through the crisp autumn air the
full mile downtown. 1t was a good
mile, and the air stung a red stain
into her cheek.
Leaving his father at his office,
she started back, remembering her
"date" on the links with her broth
er. She had an hour yet and was
minded to wander off by herself and
think. At heart she was still furi-
Gus and a little fearful about Rich
ards supposed change of heart.
Mollie Pierce, indeed! That little
silly doll! Yet stranger things had
happened. She suddenly realized
what a blank she had made of her
own life. She turned into a quiet
side street and walked swiftly along,
hardly seeing where she went. Once
she raised a hand to wipe her eyes.
They smarted strangely. Everything
was strange, especially this new,
fearful Weakening from the apathetic
dream she seemed to have been lost
in for a year. OF course it was too
late for Richard to forgive her, but
at least she could make it up to her
dear family.
Remembering that she must meet
her brother, she suddenly turned a
corner and a into a big man who,
from the impact, must have been
coming along at some speed. She
gasped to see that it was Richard,
as astonished as she, gazing at her
as if he had never seen her before,
at her fresh color, her bright eyes,
the fugitive tear on her cheek. He
hardly knew what he said. but she
laughed merrily.
Il really did not intend to-knock
you down. I'm sorry, Dick" She
called him Dick with manifest good
feeling. The mans heart leaped as
he looked at her glowing face. He
turned to walk with her a little.
"Going home? You don't look
like a girl who danced till ! this
morning, Anne, ! must say"
81 sat out three dances" she an
swered coolly. Harry says I'm get
ting to be a cross old maid. Is that
why you did not ask me for a
waltz"
"You have refused me so many
times l began to accept. my
fate. p
."I'm-sorry-Dick. She inter
ruptcd him to say what she would
not even have thought a few days
before. "l'm sorry" she repeated.
He turned to her eagerly. "Anne,"
he said in a low voice, ''you could
not possibly eros your heart and
hope to die and say you are sorry
for-:anything else! oh, Anne, could
you:"
She only nodded an instant while
she swallowed the remnant of her
old pride. He was looking down at
her, glorying in her blush. Then
she spoke fully and freely, gladly.
81. treated you very badly, and !
am very sorry, Dick" Her eyes. full
of tears, bravely met his gaze. Of
course Richard Hunter knew he
could not kiss her on the street, but
he also knew that it would not be
long till they reached her home. He
knew, too, that, whatever demon
stration he made, Anne's mother
would not care. He bided his time.
Meantime he and Anne we're very