The Raymer enterprise., 1917-08-09
CHAPTER xv-continued.

Nv
"Dream-manr she murmured.
As consciousness returns after a
swoon, so did realization return to
Alaire Austin. Family. uncertainty at
first. then with swift. strong effort,
she pushed herself out of Dawes reluc-
tant arms. They stood apart, fright
ened. Dawes gaze was questioning.
Alaire began to tremble and to struggle
with her breath.
Are we-mad?" she gasped. "what
have we doneT"
There's no use fighting. It was
here-it was bound to come out. Oh.
Alsire-l!"
"Dontw She shook her head, and,
avoiding his outstretched hands, went
to tile edge Of the veranda and leaned
weakly against pillar, with her head
In the crook Of her arm. Dave fol-
lowed her. but the words he spoke
were scarcely ineligible.
Finally she raised her face to his:
No! 1t Is useless to deny it-now
that we know. But didn't know, un-
til moment ago"
"rve known all the tine-ever since
the first moment ! saw you," he told
her, hoarsely. ITO me you're all there
is; nothing else matters. And you love
me! l wonder II I'm awake"
"Dream-man," she repeated, more
slowly. "Oh, why did you come 50
later
$50 later
"Yes. We must think 1t out, the
,est way we can. I-wonder what you
think Of me?"
You must know. There's no need
for excuses; there's nothing to explain,
except the miracle that such great
happiness could come to a fellow like
me-"
Happiness? It means anything but
that. l was miserable enough before,
what shall l do now?"
why. readjust your life." he cried,
roughly. "Surely you won't hesitate
after this7"
But Alaire did not seem to hear him.
She was staring out into the night
again. "What failure I must be
she murmured, finally. II suppose
should have seen this coming. butt
didn't. And In his house, too! This
dress Is his, and these jewels-every-
thing!" She held up her hands and
stared curiously at the few rings she
wore, as II seeing them for the first
time. "How does that make you feelT
Dave stirred; there was resentment
In his voice when he answered: "Your
husband has sacrificed his claim to
you, as everybody knows. To my mind
he has lost his rights. You're mine.
mine. !" He waved a vigorous gesture
Of defiance. "I'll take you sway from
him at any cost I'll see that he gives
you up. somehow. You're all have"
"Of course the law provides q way.
but you wouldn't, couldn't. understand
how I feel about divorce" The mere
mention Of the word was difficult, and
caused Alaire to clench her hands.
We're both too shaken to talk sanely
now. SO let's wait"
there's something you must under
stand before We go any further Dave
insisted, "I'm poor; I haven't a thing
! can call my own, so I'm not sure |
nave any right to take you away from
all this" He turned q hostile eye upon
their surroundings.
Money means so little, and it's so
easy TO be happy without IT," Alaire
told him. but I'm not altogether poor
OF course everything here is Eds, but
/ have enough. All my life I've had
everything except the very thing you
offer-and how Eve longed for that
How I've 5nvied other people! Do you
think I'll be allowed. somehow, to have
itT
YES! I've something to say about
that. You gave me the right when
you gave that kiss"
Alaire shook her head. I'm not SO
sure. 1t seems easy now, while you
are here. but how will 1t seem later?
I'm In no condition at this minute to
reason. Perhaps, as you say, 1t is all
a dream; perhaps this feeling l have
3 just passing frenzy"
Dave laughed softly, confidently.
"It's too new yet for you to under
stand-but walt. It is frenzy, witch
ary--yes, and more. Tomorrow, and
every day after, 1t will grow and grow
an Erow! Trust me, I've watched 1t
n Eyself."
$50 you cared for me from the very
frstT Alaire questioned. 1t was the
woman's curiosity, the woman's hunger
10 hear over and over again that truth
which never fails to thrill and yet
never fully satisfies.
"Oh, even before that, think! When
you came to my fire that evening In
the ehaparral, / knew every line of
your face, every movement Of your
body, every tone Of your voice, as a
nan knows and recognizes his ideal.
But It took time for me to realize all
that you meant to me-"
A,aire nodded. "Yes, and 1t must
have been the same with me-" She
met his eyes frankly, but when he
reached toward hpr she held him away
"No. dear. Not yet, NOT again, not
until we have the light. 1t would be