The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1920-06-19

of ermine around her and then caught
her close to him with arms that trem-
bled a little. Happiness lighted her
eyes and curved her smiling lips.
you're beautiful, Milly," he said.
and then added, unsteadily, land
you're mine. You make me think of
spring, eternal spring and apple trees
in bloom"
She had made a good beginning, Mil
ly thought. as he slipped his arm
back of her in the automobile ana
bending toward her, whispered, Lets
90 home a little early. I'd like you all
to myself for WHILE
But her period of happiness was
doomed to be short. Juanita was al
ready in the ballroom, regal, superb IN
sheathIike white satin, and from the
time Dick entered the room everybody
there was instantly aware of the aston
ishing fact that JuanIta had evidently
changed her mind again and that she
not only openly wanted Dick, but that
she had also decided to take him. mat
1t would not be an effortlesS task was
fOregOne conclusion, for everybody
knew that Dick had adOred her and
that he had been crushed when she
had Tilted him.
Milly was instantly surrounded, for
| men naturally gravitate toward beauty
as flowers grow toward the sun, but
she was not so entirely surrounded
that she did not hear Juanita's soft
voice murmur to Dick: "Dick, dear,
I've missed you terribly. See, I've
saved half of my dances for YOU
In the ear turned a little toward
the two Milly heard Dick say: well,
you're mighty kind, but I'm fully up
all but one" and Dicks voice was re-
assuringly steady. There was not
hint of regret in 1t.
Even when the news Of their engage
| ment spread like a little running for
est fire in the dead leaves OF small
talk, Juanita still angled for DICK.
| Milly's heart under the soft green tuile
was as heavy as lead. She was just
a dog in the manager. She could never
make Dick happy, and she was keep
ing him from Juanita, who could crown
his life with JOY. Behind some palms
| that screened them from the ballroom
where they were sitting out dance
| Nillv turned to Dick and, stripping OH
her shining new engagement ring, SAID
heroically: "Dick, you've always
loved Juanita. I.want you to be hap
by. Nothing else matters to me-
She was wholly unprepared for what
followed for Dick seized her in arms
that appeared to have been hungerlne
for her for untold ages. He kissed
her with a passion that kindied the
fire of her own. His heart pounded
like the heavy waves of an angry sea
ooh, Milly, girl" ne said brokeniy, =
love YOU more than | ever loved any
body before l never dreamed tina
there could be girl in the world fOl
me like you, so beautiful, so sweet, 81
unselfish. l think that have been II
love with you ever since l called you
'Freckle Face Remember, sweet
heart? l feel a blissful contentmen
with you that / never before expert
enced. You're my girl. You're goln'
to be my own dear little wife. When
Mi!ly, dear? Don't put me off!
found out today that l could buy tn
, Henderson place, way up there on tn
hill, il you like it. dear. Home Their
with you waiting for me Wher
Milly? l love you so. When"
He was not to be denied. "SoOr
Dick, if you really want me-" she sal
, happily, but there were tears in he
eyes when he leaned down to kiss tn
sparkling ring on her finger and tn
| little pink palm that f1uttered in hi
hand like a homing bird.
Life had not cheated them out Q
the thrill of their great moment afte