The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1919-10-09
TWO LETTERS
| BY ELIZABETH !. SAUNDERS.

yOul plIuC plou " 81 w N'''1'
with US. Even II Wallie is there iou
won't be obliged to notice him. al
though think you are just mean to
treat him that way. Now, please. Dot.
Just this once" pleaded Helen.
well. maybe. but still won't prom
,se yet. l, will tell you positively In
thu morning.
It was now just four months since
the two offensive letters had caused
30 many sleepless nights for two
yoang people. and even four months
would not wear away the pain and
jealousy that was bound to get the best
Of both concerned.
Wallle had gone to France. leaving
behind him little girl who bad prom
Used to be true to him only. 1t had
made the parting easier to know that
shs was all his as soon as his duty had
been accomplished over there.
Some time later two letters crossed
on their way to each Of the lovers both
intended to bring happiness and COM
IOfs tO Tue Dul ohNNS-'>
unhappiness and even tears.
Dear Willie" one had started.
"Helen has brought me the dearest
little fellow. l call him Duke as he is
80 polite and gentle. He Is little mite
and so cunning. know you will love
hin, when you see him."
at the same time q little, blond,
frewsled head tossed uneaSily on the
pillow and two nervous eyelids seemed
to be having a hard fight to keep
closed, then all at once she sat straight
up in bed The all-offensive paragraph
Of the letter ran through his mind.
"l am so lonesome tonight. dearest,
for two people You are one, Of course,
and the other is the dearest little lady
In the world. She Is another mans
wife, so don't be jealous. l love her
50 much and I know you will, too.
when you know her as do. l got
letter from her today and how I long
to see her."
"Another mans wife, indeed, so don't
be jealous'- l didn't think Wallis
would love another mans wife. BE
never seemed like that kind. But she
can have him, that is, II her husband
doesn't object" and with an angry tug
at the sheets, she flung herself back on
the pillow for restless sleep.
Saturday dawned bright and clear
for all with the exception of Duke,
who had discovered to his discom-
fort and misery that too much sweets
we're not good for little fellows like
himself. Dot left Duke and started
for the dance with Helen and her
brother. Dot was prettier than ever
and so radiant Inwardly she was fight
ing two battles, trying TO conceal her
jealousy for Wallie. but out~ardly she
showed only the worry for Duke. Ap-
parently she hadn't noticed Wallie.
But indeed she had. she had also no
ticed that he was alone.
"Beg pardon. Dot, but would 1t be
asking too much If / asked for Just
one dancer" attempted Wallie. mot
ut ell, or even two would be but
slight favor" coony answered Dot.
with bit Of sarcasm in her voice that
wallie did not notice, due to the fact
that the thought Of two dances with
Dot overjoyed him. Couldn't make 1t
three, could you? he almost pleaded.
Possibly"
At the end Of the eight dances they
esjoyed together, Wailie ventured: {:
dot. since Duke isn't here to protect
you through the streets tonight to
your home. would 1t be agreeable to
you for me to escort you to your door,
What could be the matter with Wal.
ND What was he talking about?
~Why, Wallie, don't understand what
you are saying. Poor Duke couldn't
protect me-"
At the end Of their journey home
word. which came too soon for both
concerned. Dot In her excitement in
vited wallie to call the next day. "I
would sure love to. Dot, but how about
Duke? Are you quite sure he won't
be Jeslous?" "Duke-jealous-why,
Wallie. 1 do believe you think Duke Is
young man" The telltale express
sion on Wallie's face confirmed her
statement. so as soon as she could con-
ceal the amusement the little misun-
derstandlng had afforded she ven.
tured: "Wallie, you are a jealous
goose. Duke is just dear little four
legged fellow; in other words. little
Boston terrier" Good heavens, Dot.
have been an idiot. Can you ever for.
give ne?'
Dot was about 70 say YES" but the
offending paragraph Of wallie's letter
ran through her mind as 1t had a mil
lion times since that letter had ar
rived. But, Walle, what about the
the other mans wife," Who"
"You know the one you wrote about?"
After a moments contemplation Wallie
recalled her reference and his face
clouded. dot. dear. never dreaned
that you could misnterpret my letter