Gilpin observer., 1920-05-20

of ernine around her and then caught
her close to him with arms that trem-
bled little. Happiness lighted her
eyes and curved her smiling lips.
"You're beautiful. Milly," he said,
and then added, unsteadily, "and
you're mine. You make me think of
spring. eternal spring, and apple trees
In bloom"
She had made good beginning. Mil
ly thought, as he slipped his arm
back of her in the automobile and
bending toward her. whispered, Lets
go home little early. I'd like you all
to myself for a while"
But her period of happiness was
doomed to be short. Juanita was al
ready In the ballroom regal, superb in
sheathlike 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. That
it would not be an effortless task was
a 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 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 a
hint of regret in 1t.
Even when the news of their engage
ment spread like little running for
est fire in the dead leaves of small
talk, Juanita still angled for Dick.
Milly's heart under the soft green tulle
was as heavy as lead. She was just
dog In the manger. 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,
Milly turned to Dick and, stripping Off
her shining new engagement ring. said
herOically: "Dick. you've always
loved Juanita. want you to be hap
py. Nothing else matters to me-
She was wholly unprepared for what
followed, for Dick seized her in arms
that appeared to have been hungering
for her for untold ages. He kissed
her with passion that kindled the
fire Of her own. His heart pounded
like the heavy waves of an angry sea.
"Oh, Milly, girl" he said brokenly, 81
love you more than l ever loved any
body before. ! never dreamed that
there could be girl in the world for
me like you. so beautiful, so sweet, SO
unselfish. l think that l have been in
love with you ever since called you
'Freckie Face Remember, sweet
heart? feel a blissful contentment
with You that never before expert
enced. You're my girl. You're going
to be my own dear little wife. When,
Milly, dear? Don't put me off /
found out today that could buy the
Henderson place, way up there on the
hill, If you like it. dear. Home there
with you waiting for me When,
Milly? love you SO. When?"
He was not to be denied. "Soon,
Dick, If you really want me-" she said
happily, but there were tears in her
eyes when he leaned down to kiss the
sparkling ring on her finger and the
little pink palm that fluttered in his
hand like homing bird.
Life had not cheated them out of
the thrill of their great moment after
all.