Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-22

best Way we can. 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 10 fellow like
me-
"Ilapl. mess? 1t means anything but
that. was miserable enough before,
what shall do now?'
"Why, readjuSt your life he cried.
roughly. "Surely you won't hesitate
after thisf"
But Alaire did not seem to hear him.
She was staring out into the night
again. "What failure must be ="
she murmured, finally. ~ suppose |
should have seen this coming, butt
didn't. And ia his house, too, This
dress Is his, and these JeWcls.-.ev
.hing'" She held up her hands and
stared curfouslv at the few rings she
wore, as k seeing them for he first
time. How does that make YOU feelY'
Dave stirred, there was resentment
in his voice when he answered: Your
husband has sacrificed his claim To
you. as everybody knows. TO my nina
he has lost his rights. You're mine,
mine ~ He waved vigorous gesture
of defiance "ll take you away from
him at any cost. III see that he gives
you up, somehow. You're all | have"
"Of course the law provides II way,
but you wouldn't couldn't, understand
how | feel about divorce" The mere
mention of the word was difficult, and
/ caused Aaire to clench her hands.
"We're both too shaken to talk Sanely
now, 50 lets watt
There's something you must under
stand before we 20 any further Dave
insisted. "Iuh poor; haven't Il thing
| can call my own. 50 I'm not sure
have any right to take YOU away from
/ all this" He turned Il hostile eye upon
their surroundings.
Money means so little. and it's 50
easy To be happy without it, Alaire
told him. But I'm not altogether poor
I Of course everything here is Eds, but
/ | have enough. All my life I've had
everything except the very thing you
ot1er-and how I've longcd for that
How I've envied other people. DO you
think I'll be allowed, somehow, to have
/ it,
"YcS, I've something to say about
that. You gave me the right Whcr
you gave that kiss
Alaire shook her head. I'm not st
sure. 1t seems easy now, while yor
are here, but how will it seem later
I'm in no condition at this minute t,
reason. Perhaps, as you say 1t is al
dream; perhaps this feeling | hav'
is just passing frenzy
Dave laughed softly, confidently
ITS too new yet for YOU to under
Stand--hut wait. 1t is frenzy, witch
cry-ycs, and more Tomorrow, ah'
every day after. it will grow and grow
and. grow Trust me, I've watched II
IN myself"
$50 you cared for me from the very
FIRST" Alaire questioned. 1t was the
woman's curiosity, the woman's hunger
TO hear over and over again that trull
which never fnils to thrill and ye
never fully satisfies.
"Oh, even before THAI. think Whcl
you came to my fire that evening II
the chaparral, knew every line oI
your face. every movement OF you'
body, every tone of your voice. as
man knows and recognizes his ideal
But ii took time for me to realize al
that you meant to me-
Alnire nodded. Eyes, and it mus
have been the same with me" Sh'
met his eyes frankly, but when III
reached toward her she held him away
NO, dear. Not vet. not again, no
until we have the right II would b'
better for MS both if you Went AVA,
now"
NO, no! Oh, | have so much 70 say
.. I've been dumb all my life, and YOU'VE
VJust opened my lips"
please. After I've decided whn
, to do---once I feel that | can contro
myself bctter-l'll send for you. Bu
you must promise not to como unit
then. for YOU would only make |
harder"