Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1919-08-22
TWO LETTERS
BY ELIZABETH |. SAUNDERS.


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
Use yet. l will 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 even 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 little girl who had prom
Used to be true to him only. 1t had
made the parting easier to know that
she 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
fort to the other, but instead brought
unhappiness and even tears.
Dear WILLIE" one had started.
"Helen has brought me the dearest
little fellow. call him Duke as he is
so polite and gentle He is little mite
| and so cunning. l know you will love
him when you see him."
At the same time little, blond
frowsled head tossed uneasily on the
pillow and two nervous eyelids seemed
| to be having 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. | love her
so much and | know you will, too,
when you know her as | do. got
letter from her today and how l long
| to see her."
"Another mans wife, indeed, so don't
| he jealous. | didn't think Wallie
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 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 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 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 Il be
asking too much If l asked for just
one dance" attempted Wallie. mot
at all, or even two would be but
slight favor" coolly 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 .pverjoyed him. Couldn't make 1t
three, could your he almost pleaded.
Possibly"
At the end of the eight dances they
| Ell joyed together, Wallie ventured
dot, since Duke isn't here to protect
| you through the streets tonight to
| your home, would IL be agreeable to
| you for me to escort you to your doorT
| What could be the matter with Wal
lie? What was he talking about?
| "Why, Wallie l 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. ~
would sure love to- Dot, but how about
Duke? Are you quite sure he won't
be jealous?" "Duke--jealOus-
Wallie, l do believe you think Duke is
q young man !" The telltale express
sion on Wallies face confirmed her
statement, SO as soon as she could con-
ceal the amusement the little misun-
Outstanding had afforded she ven.
tured: "Wallle, you are jealous
goose. Duke Is just dear little four
legged fellow; In other words, n little
Boston terrier" "Good heavens, Dot,
have been an idiot. Can you ever for
give mef"
Dot was about 10 say "Yes," but the
offending paragraph of Wallie's letter
ran through her mind as 1t had mil.
lion times since that letter had ar
rived. But, Wallie, what about the
the other mans wifeF" "Who?"
"You know the one you wrote about ~
After moments contemplation Wallie
recalled her reference and his face
clouded. DOT, dear, l never dreamed
that you could nisinterpret my letter
that way. / 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
have you to say?"
|