Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1919-11-28
TWO LETTERS
BY ELIZABETH /. SAUNDERS.

treat him that way. Now, please, Dot,
just this once" pleaded Helen.
"Well, maybe, but still l won't prom
ise yet. l win tell you positively In
the morning.
1t was now just four months since
the two offensive letters had caused
so many sleepless nights for two
young people, and eve four months
would not wear away the pain and
jealousy that was bound to get the best
of both concerned.
Wallie had gone to France, leaving
behind him a little girl who had prom
Used to be true to him only. It had
made the parting easier to know that
she was all his as Don as his duty had
been accomplished yer there.
Some time later two letters crossed
on their way to each of the lovers, both
intended to bring happiness and COM
fort to the other, but instead brought
unhappiness and even tears.
Dear Willie," one had started.
'Helen has brought me the dearest
little fellow. l call him Duke as he Is
so polite and gentle. He is a little mite
and so cunning. l know you will love
him when you see him."
At the same time a little, blond,
frowsled 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.
81 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
when you know her as l do. / got a
letter from her today and how / long
to see her."
"'Another mans wife, indeed, so don't
be jealous / didn't think Wallis
would love another mans wife. He
never seemed like that kind. But she
can have him, that is, if her husband
doesn't object" and with an angry tug
at the sheets. she flung herself back on
the pillow for a 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
were not good for little fellows j
himself. Dot left Duke and started
for the dance with Helen and her
brother. Dot was p%rettier than ever
and so radiant. IEwardly she was fight
ing two battles, trying to conceal her
jealousy for Wallie, but outwardly she
showed only the worry for Duke. APP
parently she hadn't noticed Wallie.
But indeed she had, she had also no
ticed that he was alone.
BEG pardon, Dot, but would it be
asking too much If I asked for just
one dancer" attempted Wallie. Not
at all, or even two would be but a
slight favor" coolly answered Dot,
with a bit of arcasm 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 it
three, could your" he almost pleaded.
POSSIBLY"
At the end of the eight dances they
eE joyed together, Wallie ventured:
"Dot, since Duke isn't here to protect
you through the streets tonight to
your home, would it be agreeable to
you for me to escort you to your door,"
What could be the matter with Wal
Hfk9 What ~ hn fo1lyfnn ohnTfS
"Why Wallie, I don't understand what
you are saying. Poor Duke couldn't
protect me-"
At the end of their journey home
tEord, which came too soon for both
concerned, Dot in her excitement in
vited Wallie to call the next day. 81
would sure love to, Dot, but how about
Duke? Are you quite sure he won't
be JEALOUSY" "Duke-jealous-why,
Wallie, l do believe you think Duke is
a young mani" The telltale express
sion on Wallie's face confirmed her
statement, so as soon as she could con-
ceal the amusement the little misun-
derstanding had afforded she ven
tured: "Wallie, you are a jealous
goose. Duke is just a dear little four
legged fellow; in other words, a little
Boston terrier" "Good heavens, Dot,
i have been an idiot. Can you ever for
give me?"
Dot was about to say YES" but the
offending paragraph of Wallie's letter
ran through her mind as it had a mill
lion times since that letter had ar
rived. "But, Wallie, 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, l never dreamed
that you could misinterpret my letter
that way. l still love that little lady
more than anything else on earth, with
the exception of your own dear little
self, and she is married to another
man, too. That man is my best pal
he's my dad; so you see you were just
jealous of my mother. Now, what
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