The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-12-23

been blind not to see. oh Steve.
how we have hurt you time and
again, Marjorie and l."
He smiled sadly and shook his
head.
NO. my dear. You have both
brought me all the happiness /
shall ever know--Marjorie as a pal:
you because you let me love you"
Let you love me-. echoed Diana
bitterly. Made you love me, you
mean. AS il you weren't unhappy
enough knowing the shadow that
lowered over your life without me
coming along and forcing you to
sort of peace. Oh what a selfish
little brute am"
Dale's Decision.
II won't let you say that" he in
terposed gently. BY just being
alive you made me love you. Moth
ing could have stopped me. Moth
ing ever will. Not even your mar
riage to Borden"
Diana's head dropped.
Have you planned when il Is to
be-" he asked after a time.
II haven't seen DR.. Borden since
since / have become a widow. He
sent these roses. I'll have to see
him tomorrow"
Have to see him." echoed Dale.
You can't mean that you don't
want TOT"
Diana was silent.
Dale rose and came over to her
Diana, look at me. Why are
you doing this?"
Doing what7" she parted. avoid
ing his eyes.
For the second time marrying a
man you don't love. Or do you love
him."
Diana met his eyes bravely.
You know whom love-" she
said steadily.
Dale went back. to his chair as
though he found her proximity un-
safe.
Now tell me why you are doing
this" he commanded.
Diana thought a moment
Il don't know" she confessed
frankly. I've a feeling that I
ought to marry somebody IL only to
relieve Marjorie and my family Of
my charge. They're always wor-
ried about what they term my
.flirtattona she smiled sadly.
'Dr. Max is fond of me. I guess
I'm the only source of happiness he
has now and I'm awfully sorry
for HIM"
And so you're willing, out Of
sheer pity, to link your young life
with that of a man whose past
holds a shadow finished Dale.
He rose and threw away hi,
cigarette.
An Interruption.
There's one thing sure, Diana,
and that is that you're not going to
take this step until 1 find out what
Borden's been up to that's kept him
out of the way all these years. Oh.
know you'll say it's none of my
business" he interposed quickly in
answer to her murmured protest,
but I'm going to make it my bust
ness this once. / don't fancy stir
ring, the ashes of any chaps past
but this affair concerns a woman
whom love more than anything in
Gods world, more than my life"
He caught himself up quickly and
reached for his hat
ooou hiSnt' ne said shortly.
Diana sprang up.
Steve, you shall not go until
you've promised me. that you won't
do what you've threatened. Please
don't start an investig CATION. I'm
sure there's nothing despicable
about the doctors past He's too
hne for that. And it would only
hurt him."
Better hurt him little than to
let you get hurt a second time"
Diana made a despairing gesture.
What difference does anything
make about me? Nothing mat
ters>"'
She flung her hands hopelessly.
facing him with Upturned, bitterly
smiling face,
You shall not fling Yourself
away on Borden" said Dale relent-
lessly.
Il shall" declared Diana reck-
Dale seized her roughly by the
You shall motif I have to kill
you to keep you from it."
'.Steve"
The next instant she was in his
arms crushed against his breast.
his lips on hers.
How long they remained there
locked in each. others arms neither
Dale nor Diana knew. A slight
sound caused them to start apart,
DIT. Borden stood In the doorway.
he looked like a man who has lust
heard his death sentence.
For an instant Diana and Dale
stood staring silently at nr por
den, then Diana gasped:
Wont you come in. DR.. Max.
It's very nice to see you. Il"
She stopped. flushing crimson. No
explanation of the scene the doc
tor had walked in upon was pos
sible. except the truth.
The doctor looked like a man in
q daze.
Thank you. think I'd better be
going" he said mechanically. II
didn't mean to intrude. 1 knocked
and I thought I was told to enter.
Pray forgive me-"
Re was bowling himself out. when
Daee said sharply:
One moment. please. Doctor"
Borden closed the door behind
him and waited inQuiringly.
Il have an apology TO make to
you and an explanation" Dale said
quietly. What You saw just now
was no fault of Dianas She had
Just Informed me of her intention
to marry you in a very short time.
lost control of myself. l." -he
clenched his hands suddenly and
thrust them Into his pockets, sweIi,
Won See fD0ctor lava n;anot.