Graham guardian., 1921-08-26
CHAPTER M.

WHAT En- iiis
The three at the table did not move
for perhaps twenty slow seconds. DIR
Strickland, who had pushed back his
chair. and whose hands were resting
on the table before him, stared at them
steadily. Anne, with a quick little
hiss Of surprise. smiled faintly. Alix
the unstilted. widened her eyes, and
opened her mouth in unaffected as
tonishmenI. For there was no mis-
taking Cherry's tone.
Doctor said Martin, coming In,
"this little girl OF yours and | have
something to tel, yOu!"
The old man looked at him sharply,
almost sternly, looked about at the
girls faces and was silent.
Are you surprised. DaddyT Cherry
laughed. with all a child's innocent
eHultatlon. The next instant Anne
aud Martin were shaking hands, and
Allx had cnveloped Cherry in an en-
fhusiastlc embrace.
sNAi III tNENl tANlulEtNN AilNs "hgg
aren't you surprised yourself?"
Her sister flushed exqulsltely, and
Martin laughed.
''We're just about knocked silly -
he confessed, and all the girls laughed
joyously.
A place was made for Martin, and
biscuits and omelct and honey and
tea were put into brisk circulation.
Cherry took her chair, all dlmples,
lushes, smiles, and shy confidence.
"And what are your plans?" Anne
asked materially.
Her uncle, who had been silent dur
Ing the excitement, mildly mterposed:
al think I'VE needn't go too fast,
young peorlei You've only known
each other n few weeks, after all; you
must be pretty sure of yourselves be-
fore taking anything Ike q decisive
step. Plenty of tme-pleuty of time.
Mr.. Lloyd here and must have some
talks about his plans"
II know exactly how you feel, Doc
tor" Martin said, senslbly and sym
pathetically. 81 realize that should
have come to you first, and asked to
pay my respects to your daughter. Ex-
cept that II all came over me with
such q rush. A week ago Cherry was
only most attractive child. TO me.
I'd spoken to my aunt about her and
had said that | envied the man that
was some day to win her. and that
was ALL Then the time came for me
TO get back to work-and found
couldn't gol And then came last
night, when began to say good-byes,
and--lt happened! | know that you
all hardly know me, and know that
Cherry Is pretty young to settle down,
but think | can satisfy you, Doctor,
that you give her into safe hands, and
l>belleYe she'll never regret trusting
me !"
lie had gotten 10 his feet as he spoke
and was holding the back Of his chair,
looking anxlously and eagerly into the
cid mans eyes.
"Well--" said the doctor, touched,
In his gentlest tone, "welll II had
to come, perhaps. can't promise her
to you very soon, Mr.. Lloyd. But If
You both are willing TO walt, and If
time proves this to be the real feel
ing, | don't believe you'll find me hard
on YOU II
THAT'S all ! ask, slrr Martin said,
resuming his seat and his dinner. And
for the rest of the meal harmony and
gayety relgned.
After dinner Cherry aud Martin. In
uJl the ecstatic first delight OF recog,
nlZed love, went out TO the wide front
porch, where there We're wicker chairs
under The rose vines. Alx alone
laughed at them MS they went Anne
With storm In her heart, played nols
ily on the piano, and the doctor, Nftei
giving the doorway where Cherry ~hat
disappeared q wlstful look, restlessS
took TO his armchair and his book, il
such desolatlon Of spirit as he had not
known since the dark day Of her moth
cr's death.
The next day Alix and the engaged
pair walked up to invite Peter to {
lennls fpursome on the old Blthedal,
court, II was Saturday, and MS h,
usually dlned with them, or asked then
10 dine with him on Saturday, the!
were not surprised to find him bus!
with a charcoal burner, under III,
trees, compounding marvellous disl
Of chicken, tomatoes, cream and mush
rooms
"Stop your messing one SECOND \
Alix said catching HIN by the arm
Congratulate these creatures-they-
they're going to be married! VIII
don't you congratulate thpni"
Peter gave one long look at Mar
tip and Cherry, who Stood lnughinl
but little confused and selfcor
Seious, too, In the grassy path. with
shock like death in his heart he real
lied that II was all over. Their pre-
ieciion of her, their suspicious, hR
come TOO late Blind child that sh
was, she was committed to this fasc