The Dolores star., 1917-06-08
CHATTER xv,'-consinusd.

CHAPTER xvii-continued.
IL
II think you can understand" said
X. rnther YEARLY. shat II cared less.
Christine. II would be easier to inter-
fere."
After all. Christine had known this.
or surmised 1t, for weeks. But ithurt
like fresh stab In an old wound. It
was x. who spoke again after pause !:
The deadly hard thing. Of course, Is
to sit by and see things happening that
one-that one would naturally try to
prevent"
II don't believe thnt you have al
ways been Of those who only stand and
walt" said Christine. Sometime. r.,
when you know me better and like me
better. want you to tell me about 1t.
will your
there's very little to tell. I held
q trust. When I discovered that I
WAS unit to hold that trust any longer.
I quilt. That's ALL"
His tone of finality closed the discus
sion. But Christine's eyes were on
him often that evening. puzzled, rather
sad.
They talked Of books. of music
Christine played well In dashing way.
X. had brought her soft, tender little
things. and had stood over her until
her noisy touch became gentle. She
played for him little. while he sat
back In the big chair with his hand
screening his eyes.
When, at last, he rose and picked
mp his cap. 1t was nine o'clock.
~Tve taken your whole evening"" he
said remorsefully. "Why don't you
tell me I am nuisance and send me
ofr7"
Christine was still at the plano, her
out looking at him:
you're never n nuisance, K. and"
Something in her tone caught his at
tention.
II forgot to tell y0u," she went on.
sFather has given Palmer Ave thou
sand dollars. He's going to buy a
share In business"
That's fne."
Possibly. don't believe much In
Her fiat tone still held him. Under
meath 1t he OWNED strain and repres-
sion.
81 hate to 60 and leave you alone" I"
he said at last from the door. :'Have
you any idea when Palmer will be
back?r
s.Not the slightest. K, will you come
here moment? Stand behind me; I
don't want to see you. and want to
tell you something"
He did as she bads him. rather puz-
zled.
..Here am"
81 think / am fool for saying this.
Perhaps am spelling the only chance
I have to get any happiness out Of life.
( But was terribly unhappy, K, and
then you came into my life, and T.
now listen for your step In the hall.
can't be hypocrite any longer, K.'
When he stood behind her. silent and
not moving, she turned slowly about
and faced him. He lowered there in
the little room, grave eyes on hers.
ITS long time since have had a
woman friend, Christine" he said So
berly. "Your friendship has meant a
good deal. In good many ways, I'd
not care to look ahead IL it were not
for you. 1 value our friendship so
much that l."
.That you don't want to spoil it."
she finished for him. 81 know you
don't care for me, K, not the'way L
But wanted you to know. It doesn't
hurt a good man to know such q
thing. And isn't going to stop your
coming here. is it?''
..Of course not" said K. heartily
"But tomorrow. when we are both
4 clenr-headed, we will talk this over
< You nr, listaken about this thing,
Christine; am sure of that. Things
have not been going well. and just be
cause am always around. and all that
sort Of thing, you think things that
aren't really 30. I'm only a reaction.
Christine"
He tried to make her smile up at
him. But Just then she could not
smile.
II she had cried. things might have
baes HGsrent Tor sveryone; Tor per