Graham guardian., 1921-10-07

"Quitel" she said, raising blue eyes
10 his.
ITS tomorrow, then, Cherryr" he
said.
Tomorrow" He saw the color ebb
from her face as she echoed him. This
was already late afternoon; perhaps
her thoughts raced ahead to tomorrow
afternoon at this time wheh they two
would be leaning on the rail Of the
little steamer, gazing out over the
smooth, boundless blue of the Pacific,
and alone In the world.
Tomorrow you will be mine!" he
said.
That's all think o." she an
swered. And now the color came up
in a splendid wave OF fame, and the
face that she turned toward his was
radiant with proud surrender.
He told her the number of the dock |;
they discussed trains.
1--WE sail at eleven" said Peter, "but
| shall be there shortly after ten. I'll
have the baggage on board, everything
ready; you only have to cross the
gangplnnt. You have your baggage
check; give 1t TO me-"
They were waiting In the car while
Alix marketed. Cherry opened her
purse and gave him the punched card
board.
'I'li tell AlIx TINT have last
dentist appointment at hnlf-past ten"
she said. 'If she goes In with me,
we'll go to the very door. But she
says she can't come In tomorrow. any
way. I'll write her tonight. and drop
the letter on the way to the boat. To-
morrow. then!" was Chcrrys only an
swer. "l'm glad lis so soon"
"Good.byT said Cherry, leaning
over the side of the eur to kiss her
sister. Alix received the kiss. smiled,
and stretched in the sun.
iiSdNcuiS ddN w NHS'e in the SitS
said Alix.
81 knowT Cherry said nervously.
She had been so strangely nervous
and distracted In manner all morning
that AlIx had more than once asked
her-if there was anything wrong. Now
she questioned her again.
You mustn't mind mel" Cherry
said with laugh. I'm desperately
unhappy" she said, her eyes watering.
"Td do anything in The world TO help
you, Cerise" AIx said sympathet-
ically.
81 know you would. Sis believe"
Cherry said. trembling. that there's
nothing you wouldn't give mel"
"'Thmt's easily said" Alix answered
rarC,c%sly, for don't get fnnd nf
things, as you DO, My dear. I'd z" or
with Martha to Mexico In minute.
| mean il! don't care a whonp
where tive, If Gnly people are happy"
GLOW about Burk?" Chprr" said as
the dog leaped to his place on the front
seat and licked his mistress ear.
Allx embraced him lovingly.
"Well-if he wanted 10 go with
you !" she conceded unwilIingly "But
he wouldn't" she added quickly.
Cherry, going to the train, gave her
an April smile, and as she took her
seat and the train drew on Its way, II
seemed to her suddenly that she might
indeed meet Peter. but II would only
be to tell him that what they had
planned was imI~r'..nnie
But on the deck of the Sausalito
steamer, dreaming In the sunshine Of
the soft, lazy autumn day, her heart
turned sick with longing once more.
AliX was forgotten, everything was
forgotten except Peter. His voice, his
tall figure, erect, yet moving with the
little limp she knew so well, came to
her thoughts. She thought of herself
on the other steamer, only an hour
from now, safe In his care, Martin for
gotten, and all the perpiexitles anc
dieappolntmcnts of the old life for
gotten IL the food Of new security
and JOY. Los Angelcs-New Orleans
Fruncp-it mattcrcd not where they
wandered; they might well lose the
world, and the world them, from today
ON.
80 that Is to he my lIfe-one of
The blamed and ignored women?"
Cherry mused. leaning on the rail
and watching the plunge Of the re-
celing water. "l.ike the her0Ines Of
half the hooks--only It always seemed
so bold and so frightiul In books
But to ME II Just seems the most nat.
ural thing in all the world. love
Peter, and he loves me. and the earth
Is big enough to hide us. and that's
all there Is to It. Anyway, right or
wrong, ! can't help IT," she finished,
rejoicing TO find herself suddenly
serene ana confident.
II was twenty minutes past ten, a
warm, sweet morning, with great hur-
rying back and forth at the ferry,
women climbing to the open seats of
the cable cars, pinnlng on their violets
or roses ms they climbed. Cherry sped
IL. 4. N a. Il. r.