The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21
CHAPTER xv-continued.
)ream-man :" she murmured.

~ CONSCIOUSNESS aIIer
swoOn, so did realization return to
AIaire 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 trembIe and to struggle
with her breath.
Are we-mad?" she gasped. what
have we dOne?"
There's no use fighting. 1t was
here-it was bound to come out Oh,
Alair-!!"
Don't" She shook her head, and
avoiding his outstretched hands, went
TO the edge of the veranda and leaned
weakly against a pillar, with her head
in the crook of her arm. Dave fol
lowed her, but the words he spoke
We're scarcely ineligible.
Finally she raised her face to his:
''NO! 1t is useless to deny ft-now
that we know. But 1 didn't know, IN
til moment ago."
'Ive known all the time-ever since
the first moment 1 saw you" he told
her, hOarSely. ITO me you're all there
is; nothing else matters: And you love
me- I wonder if I'm awake"
''Dream-man," she repeated, more
slowly. "Oh, why did you come so
late?"
$50 later"
eyes We must think it out, the
best way we can. wonder what you
think of me?"
''You must know. There's no need
for excuses there's nothing to explain,
hn
happiness could come to fellow like
me-"
Happiness? 1t means anything but
that. l was miserable enough before,
what shall do nOw?''
why, readjust your life" he cried.
roughly. Surely you won't hesitate
after this?"
But Alaire did not seem to hear him.
she was staring out into the night
again. what a failure 1 must bel"
she murmured, finally. ST suppose 1
should have seen this coming, butt
didn't. And in his house, too! This
ldress is his, and these jewels-every-
lthing!" She held up her hands and
STARED curiOusly at the few rings she
wore, as if seeing them for the first
time. "HOw does that make you feel?"
Dave stirred there was resentment
I'm his voice when he answered: your
husband has sacrificed his claim to
lyou, as everybody knows. To my mind
ne has lost his rights. You're mine,
mime" He waved Il vigorous gesture
of defiance. "Tll take you away from
him at any cost. I'll see that he gives
you up. somehow. You're all 1 have"
"Of course the law provides a way,
but you wouldn't, couldn't, understand
how 1 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 saneIy
now, so let's wait"
There's something you must under
stand before we go any further" Dave
insisted. I'm poor haven't a thing
i can call my own, so I'm not sure
have any right to take you away from
iall this" He turned q hostile eye upon
their surroundings.
Money means so little, and it's so
leasy to be happy without it," Alaire
told him. "But I'm not altogether poor.
tOf course everything here is Eds, but
j have enough. All my life I've had
Everything except the very thing you
IOfer-and how I've lOnged for that
How I've envied other people! Do you
think I'll be allowed, somehow, to have
Itt?"
Eyes! 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 it seem later?
I'm in no condition at this minute to
reason. Perhaps, as you say, it is all
ia dream; perhaps this feeling 1 have
is just a passing frenzy
Dave laughed softly, confidently
'"It's too new yet for you to under
stand-but wait. 1t is frenzy, witch
ery-yes, and more. Tomorrow, and
every day after, it will grow and grow
and grow Trust me, I've watched it
IN myself"
$50 you cared for me from the very
'first?" Alaire questioned. It was the
wOman's curiosity, the woman's hunger
TO hear Over and over again that truth
which meyer fails to thrill and yet
never full satisfies.
"Oh, evan before that, think When
you came TO my fire that evening in
your face. every movement of your
body, every tone of your voice, as a
man knows and recognizes his ideal.
But it took time for me to realize all
that you meant to me-"
Alaire NODDED. Eyes, and it must
have been the same with me-" She
met his eSeH frankly, but when he
reached toward her she held him away.
'''No. dear. Not yet. not again, not
until we hare the right. It would be
better for Us both if you went away
now."
$40. no! Oh, have so much to say
I've been duraL all my lifes and you've
Just opened nay lips"
please! Alter I've decided what
TO do--once Feel that 1 can control
myself better-rn send for you. But
you must promise not to come until
then, for you would only make it
harder"
At last he took her hand and kissed