The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1919-02-08


Gardner came back from New York
the next morning and In the afternoon
he took Amy to tea al the most fash
ionable hotel In town. Gardner liked
to be seen at smart places-especially
In company with good-looking girl
"BiIly's sailing tomorrow" be said,
casually. In the course Of conversation.
where TOT" asked Amy. with APP
parent indifference.
France. He's going In aviation
over there. That's really why he came
east, you know. I've got to go down
town and fix up some things for him
as soon as we leave here-you won't
mind II send you home in the car
alone. win your"
"Of course not, Gardner" Amy was
trying hard not to choke on the de-
licious piece Of French pastry which
she was doing her best TO swallow.
Then she received another shock.
Gardner leaned over the table and be-
I gan TO speak in lowered voice.
"Amy-wlll you marry mel"
rs this surprise partyi" gasped
Amy.
81 shouldn't think you would be sur
prlsed--I made up my mind some time
ago."
"But didn't know that, and as
much as I've seen of you lately. 1t
never entered my head that you loved
] me. like you. but don't love You
any more than you honestly love me.
And | want TO be frlends-you're a
better friend than you would be a
husband-don't you truly think, Gard
ner?"
Gardner smiled In spite Of himself.
"Where did you learn so much
about being In love, little Amy?"
~ learned the little | know from a
very poor teacher who didn't even
want me for pupil. I'm sorry, Card
ner, bur do care for someone else.
He doesn't even know exist-hardly.
Forgive me. but it's the truth. And
you'll still be my friend, won't your"
"You can he perfectly sure about
that" returned the rejected sutton
promptly.
Amy waved her hand to him and
then turned and walked rapidly In the
opposite direction from her own house.
Her head was dizzy and her feet
seemed to travel too slowly. She
dragged herself YEARLY up the steps
of familiar house and rang the bell.
as Mr.. william Lane INF" she
asked the man who answered her ring.
"In the library, miss"
Don't announce me. then-Pll go
right In"
Billy was sitting with his back to
the door writing. Amy walked across
the room before he saw her. Then be
dropped his pen and sprang to his feet
In Amusement.
| "Amy" he cried. HAS something
happened? You want Gardner?"
"No. don't want Gardner--rve just
refused to marry him. just want TO
know why you are going away without
saying good-by to me. It's unbeliev-
able"
do you mean TO tell me you're not
going to marry Gardner? Why Dot?"
ITS really none Of your business,
but I'll tell you. For the simple rea-
son that don't happen to care for
hlm-not In the marrying way OF car
ing. mean"
"What way is that7"
II didn't come here to talk to you
about marriage, Mr.. William Lane.
only came to tell you how horrid
think you are-I think | almost hate
you"
Billy covered the distance between
them in less time than II takes tC
mention 1t. Then he caught Amy IL
his arms and held her till she hat
ceased to struggle.
"And love You. love you, love you.
he told her for about fifty times In n,
many different ways. Look me In tn,
eyes and tell me you hate me-"
But Amy WAS 700 comfortable 4
look up, so she didn't even answer
him.
After a little while Billy looked a
his watch and found It was a quarte
to eight.
"Will you go TO dinner with me thi;
time Amy darlingy' he asked her.
at looks as II I'd have to. You dou'
know how much wanted TO go will
you that day, Billy. Let's get on. o
the house before Gardner comes.
think II would be. better TO break It B,
him after you've been gone few
days. even though he didn't really lov,
me at ALL Oh. | wish you didn't hnv,
to so. Billy can't bear to think u
t."
would you marry me tomorrow II
could get a special licc nse?"
Yes, any time at all.r
Then well 20 aud see about IL
viii you come with mel"
Anywhere. You won't be able 4
lose me now. And Pilly. my hushnn,
and r will be glad TO come. and visi
you on your wild and woolly farm nj
soon as you come bacs TO us
"Then. III have sor ething worti
lighting for now--that's what helps 1
man to do his duty even II II is bare
work. too. I'm ME luckiesi person II
the world today. Amy dearest"
with the exception OF one other.
corrected Amy and was Immediately
deprived Of the power OF speech again
One Thing At q Time.
General Foch. under whose spieDdis
strategy our army 10 France IL prou'