Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1920-08-12
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TWO OF THEM
BY MILDRED WHITE.
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to where blue lake rippled in the
sunlight, but the beauty of the scene
was not reflected in her brooding eyes.
1t was to this solitude she had come
to heal her broken heart. At least,
Diana was sure her heart must be
broken, after all 1t had endured dur.
ing the past three months.
For three months ago Diana ha1
been radiant creature, knowing the
JOY of love new-fo,t~d, and weaving
dreams of happier future. Then,
like the blacklist cloud, from out Of
the bluest sky, had come the quar-
rel. 1t was rather difficult now to
remember what that quarrel was
about; but tragedy had been ita
ending.
Diana recalled certain sharp and
cutting remarks of Dickie's concern
ing matinee idol. q sort of man who
had during the last few weeks haunt
ed Diana's presence. Though she had
not in the least been interested in
that handsome persoa, 1t was rather
gratifying to tlaunt his devotion In the
eyes of other maids lyss favored, and
as her engagement to Diclsie had not
yet been made known. where was the
harm, she reflected, in consoling her
self with the mans amusing compan-
ionship during Dickie's absence?
Diclsie had been away great deal,
in business capacity, and at these
ing. The real charm" in her mind
was that Dickie, the heretofore i'm
pregnable, should retaliate by devot-
Ing himself. after his return, to Dollie
Madden. Dolly of all girls, with her
saucy assurance and captivating ways.
The quarrel had been as brief as 1t
was painful.
And after weeks of silent waiting
for Dicllie to come back, and more
weeks of disappointment when he did
not, Diana packed her suitcase ana
went away from the madness Of 1t all.
What enchanted walks they had
taken together through the hills.
Diana sighed and flicked two bright
tears from still brighter eyes. Then,
I'LL at once she saw young man be-
fore her.
"Beg pardon" said the young man,
t.for intrudlng, but I've been sitting
here in this deadly silence so long
that I've got to speak to some one.
Or"
He left his desperate threat unfln-
ished and sat down on the grass at
Diana's side For time she waited,
undecided whether to ignore his out
burst or make reply. The man an
swered for her.
"I've been up here since six o'clock
this morning." he said.
"Why, didn't see you when I
came" she replied.
"You almost walked over me as
lay on the grass" he told her, "ab-
sorbed In your own pleasant reveries.
Say, do You enjoy this 'osslfied'
placer"
eff you do not enjoy It," Diana an
swercd evenly, "why are you here?"
The young mans reply came with
'I'll tell you," he said. 81 came to
try to forget-a girl. Thought that
it might he done in the Guinness and
quiet, and MISUNDERSTANDING fell
low could get himself in hand. But
1t can't" he added lugubriously. "This
is my fourth day up, and I'm getting
worse"
Diana stared; 1t might be herself
Speaking, for the exact stating of the
case She leaned forward in her new
interest.
Were you," she asked family, Elm
love?"
WAS, were-am!" the young man
emphatically and confusingly replied.
"She happened to take some one
else better. Thought could get away,
after awhile, from the aching memory
OF her. 1t can't be done. Her black
eyes haunt me everywhere Oh!' he
finished YEARLY, "there never was an
! other girl so sweet and perfect in all
The world"
Perhaps" Diana suggested, "you
j
do, sometimes. Maybe she was all
right to look at, and all that; hut no
doubt she had lots of faults. We ali
, do Now, think back. Wasn't this
girl stubborn, or unreasonable, or ex-
0cring. or jealous?"
The young man flushed guiltlly.
"Whatcver she was" he retorted
j I'D have her just that way--her way.
She was my girl; there will never be
another for me-"
Diana smiled, and long-hidden
himple popped merrly into her cheek.
~ am going to return your confidence"
she said. "That's what I came out
here for, too-to forget the man love-
AS you say, it can't be done. The re
| Wondering grows worse, until the
very things you considered faults seem
virtues, because they were part Of
him."
The girls eyes grew soft and misty.
look here" cried the man. He
caught at her hands. care you speak
ing Of that fool matinee idol now, or
III OH Di-udIliuS, Souiu yOu
possibly mean-just me2"
Diana rested her head against the
young mans shoulder.
"Just you, Dickie," she answered
happily. 81 have so hoped that you'd
follow me here. And, oh. was glad
when you said that it was black eyes
that haunted you. Dollie's, you know,
are blue"
'Dolly!" jeered the man.
Presently he lifted his radiant faca