Graham guardian., 1921-10-07

rose, there was n significant smile, n
murmured greeting. before the two
vanished.
In a luxurious chair Cherry waited,
Peter certainly would not c. me In un-
til half-past twelve, perhaps not then.
Suddenly, with a spring OF her heart
against her ribs, she saw Peters dark
head with Its touches Of iron gray.
Groomed and brushed scrupulously
as always. with the little limp. yet as
always dlgnifed and erect. he came to
stand before her, and she stood up,
and their hands met. Flushed and
little confused, she followed him to
an inconspicuous table In a corner Of
the dining room. Then the dreamlke
unreallty and beauty Of their hours
together began again.
"Did you expect me to meet you"
she smiled. For answer he looked at
her thoughtfully a minute before his
own face lighted with bright smile.
81 don't think I thought Of your not
being there" he confessed. ~ was
simply moving all morning toward the
instant Of meeting" He watched her,
almost with anxiety, for a moment,
then turned his attention TO the bill
Of fare. But Cherry was not hungry,
and she paid small attention to the
order, or to the food when II came.
Presently they were talking again,
In that hunger for self-analysis that
is part Of new love. They thrilled
at every word, Cherry raising her
eyes, shining with eagarness, TO his,
or Peter watching the little down.
dropped face In an agony Of alteration.
An hour passed, two hours, after
awhile they were walking, still with
that strange sense Of oneness and Of
solitude, and still as easily as II they
had been floating, 10 the ferry.
Alix met them In MIL Valley with
vivid accounts Of the day; she had
bccn pOndcrrg the hriri lalk - Il,
Anne. and was anXuuS to Hi,t letters
view Of 1t. Peer WAS vf the T,inion
that Anne's cuEduct indicutpd very
clearly that she and Justin realized
that their case was lost.
Then you're fixed for life. Cherry
was Alix's first remark. "Oh, sayl"
she added, in burst. Lets go down
to the old house tomorrow. will your
Let's see what II needs. and how much
would hare to be done to make II tit
to live in!"
Cherry flushed, sturing steadily at
her sister, and Peter, too. was con-
fused, hut Alix saw nothing. Tie
next day she carried her point. and
took them with her down to the old
house. Cherry was i.ale and fighting
tears. as they crossed the porch, and
lifted the key In the door. Inside the
house the air was close and stale,
odorouS of dry pine walls and OF un-
aired rooms. Peter iiung up II window,
the girls walked aIulessly about,
through the familiar. yet shockingIy
strange, chairs and tables that were all
coated thickly with dust.
ut needs everything" AlIx said,
after u first quick tour Of Inspect ion,
eyelng a greater weather streak on
the raw plaster of the dning-ruon
wall. 1T needs air, cleaning. straight
ening. flOwers-- Gosh. how II does
need peOple!"
IL can't bear i'll" Cherry said
softly. In sick undertone.
AliX, who was rapidly recovering
her equilibrium. sprang upstairs with
out hearing her, but Cherry did not
follow. She went to the open front
doorway aud stood there. leaning
against the sill. and gazing sadly out
at the shabby, tangled garden that
had sheltered all the safety anl joy
and Innocence of her lIttle,girl days.
Peter" she said. as he came to
stand beside her, I'm so unhappy -
Cherry, will you end 1T" he asked
her, huskily.
She gave him a startled look.
END it?" she faltered.
"Will you-do you think you are
brave enough to give everything else
up for mef" he asked.
"PeterW said Cherry, hardly above
breath.
"Will you go away with me7" Peter
went on, feverlshly. That's the only
way. now. That's the only wuy-now.
VIII you go away?"
Go awayw Cherry's face was ash
en- as she moved her tragic aud beau.
tiful eyes to his. go away where?"
Anywhere !" Peter answ ered con-
fusedly. Anywhere lie did not
meet her look, his own went furtIveIy
about the garden. Immediately he
seemed to regain self-control. I'm
talking like II fool! !" he said, quickly.
81 don't know what I'm saying half
the time! I'm sorry-rm sorry, Cher
ry. Don't mind me. Say that you'll
forgive me for what I saidI"
He had taken her hands. and they
were looking distressedly and sober
ly at each other when an unexpected
noise made them step quickly apart.
Cherry's heart beat rnadly with ter
ror, and Peter flushed deeply.
II was Martin LIOyd's aunt, Mrs.
North, their old nelghbor. who came
about the corner Of the house. and
approached them sInlllngiy. How much
had she seenl Cherry asked herself,
In panic. What were they doIng2
what were they saying as she ap-
much hud their atti.
tude betrayed them7 -
Mrs. North was the same loud