Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1915-10-13
CHAPTER Xx-(coNT1NUED).

Joy that swept over him. in the discov-
cry that she was true after all. The
lender word. sweetheart" burst from
his lips. A mist swan before his eyes.
But, almost with his breath of Joy
came the chill that blighted 1t.
He would nave to hurt her, after all.
His face grew bleak and haggard. his
hip trembled. She misconstrued the
emotion that was depicted there.
When 1 heard that you were here,
I insisted on coming home h went
20 me last week. l had told him that
the yacht was to extend the cruise sew
eral weeks longer"
But you knew / was coming on the
Sth." he said. You had my letters
They were forwarded to me. l got
them at Havana. And, Eric" she
continued, flushed and i'll at ease, II
VA afraid you would hate me for my
Treatment of Mary. i misjudged her.
preferred to be with John Payson and
those women friends Of his. couldn't
help resenting It,"
'Payson is a gentleman. I've found
That out for myself said Eric, indi-
sectly defending Mary.
1T was all so very childish OF me"
me confessed. Il am ashamed Of my
They we're now walking slowly. side
~ side, toward her home. Obviously,
Mary was no longer paramount to her
lntentions.
He halted her abruptly.
It's no use, JOAN" he exclaimed. II
can't let 1t go on. Something has hap
pened. You will know what it is be-
TORE the day Is over. l haven't the
courage to tell you myself"
HAR hand Wyoa On hio $50
Nothing can matter. Eric-nothing
N the world" h said glibly. You
are disappointed in me. You have a
grievance, but it 10 imaginary. l can
smooth those lines away Il you will
3uet be patient with me. You are
posved and unhappy. you poor boy"
~ got to end" he repeated dog
Godly.
She stared. Alarm showed in her
There isn't anyone else 2" she asked,
after q moment.
NC. mol" he cried out bitterly.
Then Why she began impetuous.
~. but checked the words to say In
oteAd: Eric. dear. won't you come
home with me72 We will not say an
ether word all the way. When we are
81 9 house you may tell me every
Sul08. But o u come with me"
Tney came upon Judge Bright in the
para. He smiled genially az they drew
oeax. failing to note the serious look
- their faces or the detected droop of
xk1c0 head.
Ihe young man had been thinking
nafd during those blocks OF self
Imposed silence. He owed the truth to
loan. II wal wrong In him to even
think OF leaving her in the dark, un-
Ifepared for the shock that was to
come later in the day. She should have
Il flrDt from his lips.
80 he wasn't offended by the way
you ran off and left him yesterday.
began the Judge. His daughters face
oecame very pink. she caught her
breath In dismay.
neen compunctions! She had talked
y over with her father. There was
something In that to be treasured.
The Judge said ahem! thrice in rapid
succession. and fell away before The
0agGers In Joan's eyes. With q very
Yet1unctoxy remark about the splen-
0or q b day, he stood aside to let
tnem pass, grimly certain Of q bad
halt hour when she had him alone.
Her cheeks were still pink when she
preceded Eric into the library. Turn
~ abruptly. she placed her hands on
~ ahOulders.
Eric ! want 9 to hold me In your
AtMeT - you"
~ crushed her to his breast. For
0stonG time they stood %, their hot
Zenne lips meeting IN long. devouring
AZ last he released her. ana drev
yee.EsWtth = 0roAnkof despair. She 49,
1tl0S radiAntly up into his eyes.
- INT - terrible after I'll, q it9ss
) c1ted breathle1sly. Then she NO.
ss!Seo No expression. WAS Il . ter-