The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-11-09

tons between this queer sister
and brother-in-law.
New Years Day.
For days and nights I have had
no time to write-no time to play
that my dear Book holds my
mothers love for me between its
covers, or to come to 1t for COM
fort. a
Miles is quite strong again. but
I see little of him. The German
specialist has ended his treatment
of Laurie and returned to Berlin.
Today Laurie summoned me.
Eyes, I heard" said. -
II suppose you know. too. or
else you've guessed, that he's got
an extension of time to decide.
The government, is anxious for
him to accept, because he's a big
man. They're simply keeping
the place warm for Miles till he
makes UP his mind. I know the
worries. keeping them waiting.
He's hanging on till Laurie gets
well. He won't say to himself,
or till Laurie dies | want him to
accept definitely now, agreeing
to take up the command In two
months time"
"Of course, you'll be much bet
ter, we hope; but you mightn't
be quite well enough for Miles to
think" t6
~ shall be we'll enough to have
solved the Great Secret. Don't
you realize that?"
"No-no!" l stammered. you
mustn't speak Of" s-.-
"Why not?" he asked. "It's
true, l don't mind, any more. And
it'll be rather q relief to talk
freely to Miles. He cares too
much"
81 care, too" l whispered.
Il believe you do? But don't
look like that, and. for heavens
sake. don't cry! l think you're
the bravest, truest, loyalist, most
wonderful little woman in the
world" (,
ooh, Laurie!" l cried. Can
you possibly be in earnest? You
are giving me happy New Year
after all-except for what you
say about yourself"
Look here, my queer new
friend-late enemy-haven't you
been tempted to tell Miles that
that the one he broke his heart
for WASH t WORTH mean, that
she didn't love him as he loved
herr"
Never" l answered, emphatic
ally. "The best thing for him is
to keep his ideal. hadn't the
slightest hope of his love, from
the first. He would never have
looked at me (even If he'd not
met and worshiped herr II it
hadn't been for"
For what?"
Nothing l can speak of-or
even make clear-to YOU"
Don't put me off like that.
ask you for the second time, but
in a different way and different
circumstances--why did Miles
marry you? Since the night Miles
was delirious, and you told me
you cared for him, I've asked my
self that question: why did he
marry you? Why did you marry
Miles,"
WANTED to-"
did you care for him before
you were married, or learn to
4 care afterward?"
"I-cared always. Oh, 1t was
silly, know, but now that we're
friends. perhaps you can under
stand. AS a child, l had him for
my hero; and when-no, l can't
go on! l am too ashamed"
"Why ashamed?"
because it's shame when a
girl loves a man who could never
love her."
"Yet he married YOU"
For a good and noble reason.
He couldn't have brought himself
to marry me, If he'd guessed l
cared for him. Secret for secret. l
keep yours. You will keep mine?"
you may be sure OF me-"
THANK YOU"
| lyon needn't! You owe me
small thanks for anything. We're
tortured you here pretty skilfully,
Miles and |. For you, Culver Cas-
tie must be the Castle of the in
QUESTION. And I've been thinking
your big secret isn't impossible
to guess-I mean the secret of
Miles nobility in marrying you.
II 1t weren't for your money,
should we have got Won Waldhau-
sen here from Berlin-and should
l have had a lot of things which