Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1917-03-22

Then you care, after all"
There was something boylsh In his
triumph, in the very gesture with
which he held out his arms. like child
who has escaped whipping. He
stood up and, catching her hands, drew
her 10 her feet. "You love me, dear"
I'm afraid l do, Max"
"Then lin yours, and only yours, u
you want me-" he said. aud took her Ia
his aI1nS.
He WIS riutously happy. must hold
her OF for the joy Of drawing her 10
lin again. must pull or her gloves
and kiss her soft bare palms.
Il love you, love you" he cried. aud
bent down TO bury his face in the
warm hollow Of her neck.
Sidney glowed under his caress--was
rather startled ut his passion, little
ashamed.
''Ten me you love me little bit.
Say It,"
81 love YOU" said Sidney, and flushed
scarlet.
But even In his arms. with the warm
sunlight Oh his radiant face, with his
lips to her ear, whispering the divine
absurdities Of passion, 'in the back Of
her obstinate little head was the
thought thar while she had given him
her first embrace, he had held other
women In his arms. II made her pas
sive, prevented her complete surer'
der.
She broke the news Of her engage
ment to X. herself, the evening Of the
same day. The little house was quiet
when she got out Of the car nc the
door. Harriet was asleep On the couch
at the foot of her bed, and Christlne's
rooms were empty. She went upstairs
to the room that had been her moth
er's, and took off her hat. She wanted
TO be alone, to realize what had hap
pened to her. A year ago her half
promise to Joe had gratified her sense
Of romance. She was loved, and she
Ind thrilled to 1t.
But this was different. Marriage,
that had been hut vision then, l0omed
large, almost menacing. She had
learned the law of compensation: that
for every joy one pays In suffering
Women who married went down into
the valley Of death for their children.
One must love and be loved very ten
derby to pay for that. The scale must
balance.
Harriet was stirring. across the hall.
Sidney could hear her moving about
with fiat, inelastic steps.
That was the alternative. One mar
ried, happily or not as the case might
be, and took the risk. Or one stayed
single, like Harriet, growing little
hard, exchanging slimness for lean
ness and austerity Of figure, tiat-chest-
ed, thin-vOiced. All at once 1t seemed
very terrible to her. She felt as II she
had been caught in an inexOrnble hand
that had closed about her.
Harriet found her little later, face
down on her mothers bed crying as II
her heart would break. She scolded
her roundly.
you've been overwOrking," she said.
you've been getting thinner. Your
measurements for that suit showed II.
/ have never approved Of this hospital
training, and after last January"
She could hardly credit her senses
when Sidney, still swollen with weep
ing, told her of her engagement.
''But I don't understand. If you care
for him and he has asked you TO marry
him, why on earth are you crying your
eyes outT"
~ do care. don't know why cried.
1t Just came over me, all ut once, that
T. It was just .fOolishness. l am
very happy, Aunt Harriet"
Harriet thought she understood. The
girl needed her mother, ard she, Har-
riet, was a hard, middle-nged woman
and a poor substitute. She patted Sid
ney's moist hnnd.
II guess understand" she said. I'll
attend to your wedding things, Sidney.
Well show this street that even Chris
tine Lorenz can be OutdOne." And, as
an afterthought: II hope Max VIII
son will settle down now. Hes been
none too steady"
II was late when X. got home. Sid
ney was sitting on the low step, wait
ing for him. With n long breath
of content. X. folded up his long length
on the step below her.
well, dear minlstering angel" he
said. how goes the world?'
Things have been happening. K"
He sat erect and looked ut her. 1t
was a moment before he spoke. BE
sat looking ahead, his face set. When,
after a moment, he spoke, 1t was to
her, after all.
81 think / know what It is, Sidney"
you expected 1t, didn't your"
.1-Its not an entire surprise"
~Aren't you going to wish me hap
plnessT'
III my wishing could bring anything
good to you. you would have every
thing in the world"
His voice was not entirely STEADY,
but his eyes smiled into hers.
Fam I-are we gOtng TO lose you
soonT