The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-10-01
SYNOPSIS.

SYNOPSIS.
 CHAPTER Twin his two daughters. Ak and Cherry the latter just eighteen
 en rs ola and s5s n.eef is vap Apne st Dosf4I af Valley, a short distance from San Fran of Hstng in the iH m la1s M,R eya ss4st9y ag ebgo9sr engaged to Cherry
 CHAPTER n-whne the fam1y is Cherry brings him to supper, practically "I know exactly how you feel, Doctor" Martin said. sensibly and Isympathetically: T realize that I asked to pay my respects to your daughter; Except that it all cave over me with such rush A week ago Eohf1d. to me. I'd spoken to my aunt rabout her and had said that I envfed FtI,e man that was some day to win time came for me to get back to twork-and I found couldn't go. And then came Last night when l tpened: know that you all hardly know me and I know that Cherry is pretty young to settle down. but think I can satisfy you. Doctor. that believe she'll never regret trusting met"
 He had gotten to nj. feet as he eagerly into the old mans eyes
 'Weli-'. said the doctor. touched. come. perhaps. can't promise her to you very soon. Mir. Lloyd. But if you are both wiling to wait. and if time proves this to be the real feel ting. I don't believe you'll find me shard on you"
 Alter dinner Cherry and Martin. in fa11 the ecstattc f1rwt delight Of rec front porch. where 4bcre were wicker alone 1aughed d them as they went. Anne Anne. with th,, a storm in taes tesrt, .: where Cherry had dssappeaTed z wfstfui Look: restiaasty took to his sz olation of spirit ass he had not known since the dark days Of her mothers death
 The next day Atiz and the engaged pair walked up to invite Peter to a tennis fourso7ne on the old Blithe- as he ns,1aiiy dined yith thern. or asked them to dine with him on Sat urday. they were not surprised to : find him busy with a charcoal burner. Fvelous dish of chicken, tomatoes, cream and mushrooms.
 Stop your messing one eecondt" A1ix said. catching him by the arm. 'Congratuiate these creatures-they :-they're going to be married: Why don't you congratulate tfasm7N
 Peter gave one long look at Mar tin and Cherry. who stood laughing. but q little confused and seIf-con l. scaot1s. too. in tie grassy path. With a shock like death in his heart. he protection of her. their suspicious, had come too late. Blind child that she was. she was committed to this ! fascinating and mysterious adven- tnre.
 Ills face grew dark with a sudden rush of blood. But he went to them tin. and was presently representing Cherry for her secretfveness fin his old. or almost his old way.
 He arranged that they were to play the tennis here on his own courts, and later dine with him, but under his hospitality and under the golden beauty of the day it was all pain pain-f)ain, It was agony to see heI with him. beginning to taste the rap- ture of love given and returned; it was agony to have the conversation re- turn always to Martin and Cherry, tc ] the first love affair. Peter felt that he could have killed this newcomer this thief. this usuFpef of the place that he himself might have filled.
 Dads always said he dfsa approved of long enga gem ents" A1fx comment. ed. amusedly, "but you ought to heal him nowt This thfng-he won't ever call it an engagement-fts an under standing. preference-is to be 2 profound secret, and Cherry's to be twenty-one before any one else bur
 Peter did not hear her, There was beginning a little hope in his heart Girls did not always fulfill their frs engagements; did not often do so. fl fact. The thing was a secret; f might well come to nothing. after all
 That was the beginning. and after 1t, although it was arranged betweer them all that nothing should bt changed. and that nobody but them selves should share the secret, some how life seemed different, Two o three days after the momentous da7 of the raising of the rose tree, Martin Lloyd went to his mine at Fl Nido and the interrupted current of life fl the brown bungalow supposedl. found its old groove,
 But nothing was the same, I'm doctor. in the first place, was nor, silent and thoughtful than the girl had ever seen him before, Anne ant A1i1z >knews that he was not happ, about Cherry's plans. if the younge girl did not With Aitx only be talk from his comments. his doubtful man ner, that he felt it to be a mistake The ten years difference between Cherry and Martin distressed him; h. spoke of 1t again and again.
 Cherry was changed. too, and no only fn the expected and natural ways Alix thought Her daily letter iron Martin her new prospects not onl, increased her importance in the oth CT girls eyes. but innocently inflated her own self-confidence She ha, promised to keep the engagement 70 understanding, or preference" a pro found secret. but this was impossible First one intimate friend and then an other was allowed to gasp and ex claim over the news. The time cam when Anne decided that it was no "decent'' not to let Martins aun know of 1t. when all these other peo pie knew. Finally came a dinner t the Norths' when Cherry's health wa drunk, and then the engagement pres ents began to como in.
 Her father 1oulY1ook okeA- A-tanderIvezz