Graham guardian., 1921-08-19

and fog. and 90 downstairs with blue
finger-tips and chattering teeth, to
warm themselves with breakfast and
the fire.
Alix rolled herself in a gray army
blanket, and was asleep in some sixty
seconds. But Cherry felt that she was
floating in seas of new JOY and utter
delight, am hat she would never be
sleepy again.
Downstairs Anne and the doctor sat
staidly on, the man dreaming with a
knotted forehead, the girl sewing.
Presently she ran needle through
her fine white work with sever tiny
stitches. folded 1t, and put her thimble
into case that hung from her order
ly workbag with long ribbon.
"Walt minute, Anne" said the doc
tor, as she Strengthened herself to rise
"This young Lloyd, now-what do
you think Of him?'
She widened dcmure blue eyes.
"ShouId you be sorry If Liked
him, Uncle 1.ee?' she smiled.
The old man rumpled his silver hair
restlessly.
"Thats the way the wind blows
eh?" he asked kindly.
"Well--you see how much he's here
You see the flowers and books and
notes. TN not the sort of girl to wear
my heart on my sleeve" Anne, who
was fond Of small conseryational tags,
assured him merrily. "But there must
be some fire where there's so much
smoker she ended.
you're not sure, my dearT" he
asked, after some thought.
"Oh, mol" she answered. '1t's Just
fancy that persists In coming and
going" She got tc her feet, saying
brightly, "well! we mustn't take this
too gravely-yet. 1t was only that !
wanted to be open and abOve-board
with you, uncle, from the beginning.
That's the only honest way"
"That's wise and right" her uncle
answered., In the kindly, absent tone
he had used to them as children.
tone he was apt TO use to AnLe when
she was In her highest mood, and one
she rather resented.
Cherry, now" he asked. detalnlng
her for q moment. "She-you don't
think that perhaps Peter admires
herr"
"Peterr ANNE echoed amazedly,
and stood thinking.
Peter was more than thirty years
old, thin, scholarly, something of
solitary, the sweet, dreamy, affection.
ate neighbor who had shared the girls
lives for the past ten years. For some
reason she could not, or would not, de-
fine, Anne liked the idea of Cherry
and Peter falling In love-
Somehow one doesn't think Of Pc
ter as marrying anyone" she said
slowly, still trying to grasp the
thought.
"Peter Is dear fellow" the doctor
mused. "But Cherry--why, she's bare
ly eighteen! He-I don't suppose he
really ever kissed her" The old man
hesitated, began again: "Just fancy"
he assured her. "Just an old fathers
fear that she Is growing up too fast"
"Because we all, and you especially.
spoil her" Anne reminded him, slnil .
ing. "Peter," she added thoughtfully.
"has kissed us all, now and then r
She stopped for dutiful goodnight
kiss, and was gone.
Downstairs, the doctor sat on, think
ing. and his face was grave. He was
thinking Of little Cherry's goodnight
kiss, half an hour ago. She had rested
against his arm, and he had held her
there. but what had been the thoughts
behind the blue eyes so near his own?
He realized with great rush Of fear
that some man had kissed Cherry to-
night, had held her against tobacco
scented coat. and that the girl was a
woman, and an awakened woman Mt
that. Cherry-klssed man! Her IA
Tiers heart WINGED away from the
thought.
Young Lloyd and Peter had walked
home with her. But II Anne was right
In her maidenly suspicious of Lloyd's
intentions, then 1t must have been Pc
ter who surprised little Cherry with
sudden embrace.
And as he came to his conclusions
certain relief crept into the old
mans heart. Peter was an odd fell
low; he was ten years too old for the
child. But Peter was lover of books
and gardens and woods and music, aft
er ALL and Peters father and this old
man musng by the fire had been "Lee"
and paul" to each other since boy
hood. Peter might give Cherry kiss
as lnnocently as brother; In any
case, Peter would walt for her, would
be all consideration. and tenderness
when he did win her.