The Medina sentinel. [volume] (Medina, Ohio) 1888-1961, 1921-12-22


of fare. But Cherry was not hungry,
and she paid small attention to the
order. or to the food when It came.
Presently they were talking again,
In that hunger for self-analysis that
is part of new love. They thrilled
at every word, Cherry raising her
eyes, shining with eagerness, to his,
or Peter watching the little down
dropped face in an agony Of alteration.
An hour passed, two hours, after
awhile they were walking, still with
that strange sense of oneness and Of
solitude, and still as easily as If they
had been floating, to the ferry.
Alix met them In Mill Valley with
vivid accounts of the day; she had
been pondering the brief talk with
Anne, and was anxious to bave Peters
view of 1t. Peter was of the opinion
that Anne's conduct indicated very
. clearly that she and Justin realized
that their case was lost
'"Then you're fixed for life, Cherry"
was Alix's first remark. "Oh, sayW
she added, In burst. Lets 80 down
to the old house tomorrow, will you?
Let's see what it needs, and how much
would have to be done to make 1t tit
to live in!''
Cherry flushed, staring steadily at
her sister, and Peter, too, was con
fused, but Alix saw nothing. The
next day she carried her point. and
took them with her down to the old
house. Cherry was pale and fighting
tears, as they crossed the porch, and
fitted the key in the door. Inside the
house the air was close and stale,
odorous of dry pine walls and of I'M
aired rooms. Peter flung up window.
the girls walked aimlessly about,
through the familiar, yet shockingly
strange, chairs and tables that were all
coated thickly with dust.
1T needs everything" Alix said,
after first quick tour Of inspection,
eyeing greater weather streak on
the raw plaster Of the dining-room
wall. 1T needs air. cleaning, straight
ening, fiowers-- Gosh, how it does
need people!"
I'll can't bear It'll" Cherry said
softly, in a sick undertone.
Alix. who was rapidly recovering
her equilibrium. sprang upstairs with
out hearing her. but Cherry did not
| follow. She went to the open front
doorway and stood there, leaning
against the sill, and gazing sadly out
at the shabby, tangled garden that
! had sheltered all the safety and Joy
and innocence Of her little-girl days.
Peter" she said, as he came to
stand beside her, 'Im SO unhappy"
Cherry, will you end It'll" he asked
her, huskily.
She gave him startled look.
END itw she faltered.
"Will you--do you think you are
brave enough to give everything else
up for mew he asked.
"Peterl" said Cherry, hardly above
q breath.
"Will you 60 away with me-" Peter
went on, feverishly. "That's the only
way, now. That's the only way-now.
viii you 60 awayT
"Go awayp Cherry's face was ash
en- as she moved her tragic and beau
tiful eyes to his. go away where2"
Anywhere Peter answered, con-
fusedly. "Anywherep He did not
meet her look, his own went furtively
about the garden. Immediately he
seemed to regain self-control. I'm
talking like fooli" he said, quickly.
II don't know what I'm saying half
the time! I'm sorry-Tm sorry, Cher
ry. Don't mind me. Say that you'll
forgive me for what ! saidw
He had taken her hands, and they
were looking distressedly and sober
ly at each other when an unexpected
noise made them step quickly apart.
Cherry's heart beat madly with ter
ror, and Peter flushed deeply.
It was Martin Lloyd's aunt, Mrs.
North, their old neighbor, who came
about the corner of the house, and
approached them smllingly. How much
had she seen? Cherry asked herself,
In panic. What were they doing?
what were they saying as she ap-
peared ?--how much had their atti-
tude betrayed them?
Mrs. North was the same lOud-
laughing, cheerful woman as Of old.
She kissed Cherry, and was full Of
queries for Martin.
Durango? Belle told me some
thing about his going there" she said.
"How long you been here, CherryT'
"Ive been with Alix and Peter for
for several weeks" Cherry said, un-
easily. Her eyes met Peters and he
conveyed reinsurance to her with a
look.
"When you going back, dear" Mrs
North asked, with SO shrewd glance
from Cherry's exquisite rosy face to
Peters that he felt a fresh pang OF
suspicion. She had seen something
"Why, I've been rather--rather kept
here BY the--the lawsuit, haven't l.
Peterw Cherry explained. "But ex
pect to 60 soon as 1t is all settled
Here's Alix," she said, gladly. as Aliz
came downstairs.
+ "Tll bet you three are having real
| ". ~ ~ -hAv.