Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-08
THE ONE UNWANTED
BY RUBY AYRES
author Of a. Bachelor Husband" cic.
Cspprlph. bv N,kse,cr Syndssn.c. Irc.

wet on my face. but was so happy
I hardly knew what TO do.
why have you stayed away since
ever since fell into the rlver?"
Because you're such Il child. I
thought you did not know your own
mind: 1t sermcd unfair"
I'm only four days older now than
was then" / told him.
~ know but it's different. At least
Isn't it different, Sally?'
Not TO. me-because ! have always
loved you"
kiss me them
"Wait--.wait! There's your cousin ~
! fe.t his arms relax their hold a
little.
My cousin isn't anything to NO."
Mrs. AleGry said people think you
are going TO marry her. ~ 4.
II am not responsible for what poo.
Pie thtuk."
But thought 50, TOO" I insisted.
tcu don't think so any moreT' be
asked, but / wou not answer aud he
said again: Sally! Do you think so?"
he demanded
My eyes had grown accustomed 10 the
darkness now, and when I looked un I
could see his foce family in the light
Of the stare.
He was my fret love--nly last. as I
confidently believed, and with q sudden
passionate impulse put my arms
round his neck.
Me- I said.
He kissed. me then. many times, and
kissed him, and ! don't know how
ing, We might have stayel ont there
! the mud and darkness but for the
! trikinS Of the church clock, which
used Inc from my dreaming with a
! hook.
Ten o'clock Oh >rhot ,riII ,Lor
aIf" 80
Mark Anderson laughed.
Does It matter what they sayf'
But ] thought IL did. cou'd NOT
mns!na. how ] was going to face Mrs.
.lbcrIy sharp eyes or explaln my alb.
ence.
We went back to the farm hand IN
ana ana he Kissed me again in the
title porch outside the door.
are you happy he asked. and I
ald, with a sigh Of rapture. that 7 had
ever known before what q beautiful
world IL was.
You're such chrd!' he answered
!
"Mo''tr was married when she was
as old as me-" said with dignity.
And now--I really must 60"
But even when we had said cood
light for the last time went back 20
* him another question.
""hat was it you heard Lionel
! homnlon say about met"
'Why do you want 10 know"
Only because am interested. I
: 'houGht II might he something nice ?
me-" 'N'
wei, il was something nice, and
vet l felt as IL I could have knocked
I'M down for it," he added sloomily
| pulled at bis hand.
"Well--tell me--anyway :"
lie told me reluctantly.
He said that ~ou were the most
attractive little girl he had ever met" "
What. Oh, Mark, he didn't, not
really -
He dId--confound him -
drew a long breath of delight
Nobody has ever said a thing like
hat about Inc before"
lie gave jealous growl.
You seem uncommonly pleased about
| Pleased. WHY. Of course, In,
p'eased," said. Wouldn't you be.
if you'd always been looked upon a:
the ugly duckl!ng of the family? II
YOU d never had single nice thing
said about you in your life? Not that
le could really and truly have meant
it," I added disconsolately.
There was a little silence then.
well. I'll be Off" Mark said stifHy.
Good night"
"Oh, good night" answered, though
here was q nameless fear in my heart
est tomorrow should be repetition OF
those other day during which I had
waited and watched for him IN vain !;
! that the kisses and hbppine5s of this
/ night had been too sweet to last; that
worse diEtllusionmcnt awaited nc
and in unreasonins fear ! caught his
arm as he turned away.
You meant it when you said you
loved me, didn't your I asked in
Ihamcd desperation. You won't stay
away tomorrow and leave me wondering
what have done to make you angry ?
lou won't be horrid any moreT'
Mark came back. He put his arms
round me, but quite gently this time,
and, bending. kissed me once--a long
kiss. -,
Il shall love you all my life. There !!
never be another woman shall love
as l love you" he said.