The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1917-08-23
cHAPrER xv--contInued.

As consciousness returns after q
swoon, 80 did realization return to
Alaire Austin. Family, uncertainty at
Girst, then with a 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-madY' she gasped. what
have we done2"
There's no use fighting. 1t was
here-it was bound to come out. Oh,
Alaire-il"
Don't" She shook her head, and,
avoiding his outstretched hands, went
e 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
were scarcely ineligible.
Finally she raised her face to his /:
"Nol. 1t Is useless to deny it-nOw
that we know. But I didn't know, un-
ell a moment ago."
1pve known all the time-ever since
the first moment / saw you" he told
her. hoarsely. ITO me you're all there
Ia; nothing else matters. And you love
mel wonder II I'm awake"
"Dream-man," she repeated, more
slowly. "oh, why did you come so
later"
$50 later
Eyes. We must think II out, the
best way we IAN. wonder what you
think Of mel"
"You must know. There's no need
for excuses there's nothing to explain,
except the miracle that such great
happiness could come to q fellow like
me-"
"Happinessf II mean anything but
that. I was miserable enough before,
what shall I do now?"
"Why, readjust your life." he cried.
roughly. Surely you won't hesitate
after thisT'
But Alaire did not seem to hear him.
She "a staring out into the night
again. "What a failure / must be I"
she murmured. finally. II suppose I
should have seen this coming. butt
didn't. And In his house. tool This
dress Is his, and these jewels-every-
thingF She held up her hands and
stared c~urlously at the few rings she
wore. as II seeing them for the first
time. "How does that make you feelf"
Dave stirred; there was resentment
kn his voice when he answered: "Your
husband has sacrificed his claim to
you, as everybody knows. To my mind
ne has lost his rights. You're mine,
miner He waved a vigorous gesture
Of defiance. "I1l take you away from
him at any cost. Til see that he gives
you up. somehow. You're all ! have"
"Of course the law provides a 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.
1'We're both too shaken to talk sanely
now. SO let's walt"
There's something you must under
stand before we so any further" Dave
insisted. I'm poor / haven't a thing
I a call my own, so I'm not sure /
have any right to take you away from,
all this" He turned a hostile eye upon
their surroundings.
Money means 30 little, and It's 30
easy to be happy without It," Alaire
told him. 'But I'm not altogether poor.
OF course everything here Is Eds. but
I have enough. AL my life I've had
everything except the very thing you
offer-and how I've longed for that
How I've cnvied other peoplel DO you
ehink I'll be allowed. somehow. TO have
atF'
sWesi I've something to say about
chat, You gave me the right when
you gave that kiss"
Alaire shook her head. 'Tm not so
sure. II seems easy now. while yon
r. here. but how will II seem later 7
I'm In no condition at this minute TO
reason Perhaps. as you say, It Is oil
q dream; perhaps this feeling ! have
O. Just a passing frenzy"
Dave laughed softly. confidently.
tits too new yet for you to under
stand--but wait. II is frenzy. witch
sry--yes. and more. Tomorrow. and
every day after. II win grow and grow
and growi Trust me. I've watched II
I'm myself"
ESQ ven cared for me from the very
firstf" Alaire questioned. II was the
woman's curiosity. the woman's hunger
90 hear over and over again that truth
which never fails 20 thrill and yet