Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1921-09-07


father waiting, and they walked away
through the woods together. ak
had already gone up to Peters house
10 play tennis. They walked slowly
through the lovely aislcs Of the trees,
crossing rOnd or two, climbing
steadily upward under great rcdwoOds
Cherry's skirt brushed the gold dust
from masses and masses Of buttcrcupA
The tennis was over, hut just over (;
Peter and Alix were sitting still pant
Ing, on the rail OF the wide. open
porch. and shouted rs the others
came up.
"iou missed doublrS" called Alix.
'"The grnnirSt we ever did Doubles
with the ThompSonS and three sets
straight to uS-Sfy-two, six-two. and
siH-two again! They've gone. Oh
heavens, | never had such tennis. on,
Peter, when YOU stood there mt the net
and Just curved your hand Ike II cup"
-AllX gave m enthusiastic imitation
--"and over she went, and game and
set :"
Cherry, sinking white and frilly into
chair, smiled indulgcntly. The walk
had given her wild-rosc colof, and
even Alix was struck with her extra or
dinary beauty. Alix had wheeled
about on the rail to face the porch.
and Peter had gotten to his feet and
was Hospitality pushing basket chairs
about. Now he gave Alix a critical
look.
"You're disgracefully dIrty!" he
said, fratcrnally.
II know It," she answered, calmly.
"Have I time to tub7"
"All the time In the world |" he an
swered.
Ali1 departed.
ITS very pleasant to ME to have
Alix so much at home here" Cherry
said, when Alix was gone, and the
doctor wandering happily about the
garden. II don't know what we'd
do II any one ever usurped our places
hereI"
She had said 1t deliberately; the
fascination Of her recent discovery
was too strong to resist. The man
flushed suddenly. For full minute
he did not speak, end Cherry was sur
prIsed to find herself a little thrilled
and even frightened by his silence.
"What put that into your head"
ne asked, presently. smoking with his
eyes fixed upon the valley far below.
''Perhaps It's because there are so
many changes. Peter: my marriage.
Annc's-everything different! 1t just
came to me that 1t IS nice to have this
always the same"
'Pcrhnps Allx will come up here
and help keep It so some day" the
man said, deliberately. Chcrrys look
Of elaborate surprise and pleasure
died before his serious glance. She
was silent for moment.
'Why don't YOU ask herr" she snid
in n low, thoughtful tone. trembling,
eager to preserve his mood without
false note.
II have" he answered simply.
Cherry's heart jumped with a sudden
unexpected emotion. What was IT.
Not pleasure. not all surprise-surely
there could be no jealousy mixed with
her feeling for Peters plans? But
she was dazed with the rush Of feel
Ing; hurt In some fashion she could
not stop to disscct now.
"And she said nor" she Stammered
IN confusion.
"She said no. Or, Mt least. inti-
tionate man with this and that to Of
fer, and she intimntcd that that wasn't
enough. I ought to have said--I ought
to eXplain-thnt had told her, only
n few days previously, that I had al
ways loved somebody else"
"Oh-h-h" Cherry was enlightened
She vISualizcd m affair in the last
years Of the old century for Peter.
"Oh. nnd--and she didn't love your
CHERRY asked.
"'rhe lady? She was unfortunately
married before 7 had n chance to ask
her" said Peter
"nh-h-h" Cherry said again, i'm
pressed, 'and you'll never get over
it?' she asked. timidly. "pctr, I
never krcw that" she added as he
was silent ''Dors-dncs Dad Enow?"
"Nohody knows but Alix, ana she
only knows the bare facts" he as-
surrd her.
"oh :" Cherry could think Of nothing
to add TO the sympathetic little mono
ayilahlc.
unfinished with the shower"
shrickcd Alix from the warm darkness
Inside the doorway. "lIurry I'D,
Peter. something smells utterly
grand"
"That'S the chicken thing!" Peter
shouted back, Springing up to diSap.
pear In the direction Of the bath.
room. Cherry sat on, silent. wrapped
still in the new spell Of the pleasant