The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-10-07

almost with anxiety, for 4 moment.
then turned his attention to the BIN
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 q part Of new love. They thrilled
at every word. Cherry raising her
eyes, shining with eagerness. 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 If they
had been floating. 70 the ferry.
Alix met them in Mill Valley with
vivid accounts OF the day: she had
been bordering the brief talk with
Anne. and was anxious to have Peters
view Of II. Peter was OF the opinion
that Anne's conduct indicated 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. say !"
she added. in a burst. Let's 60 down
to the old house tomorrow, win you?
Let's see what it needs, and how much
would have to be done to make il ut
to live inl"
Cherry flushed. staring steadily at
her sister. and Peter, too, was con-
fused, but Alix saw nothing. The
GAx zh
took them with her down 10 the old
house. Cherry was pale and fighting
tears. as they crossed the porch, and
fitted the key in the door. Inside the
house the air was close and stale,
Odorous Of dry pine walls and Of I'M
aired rooms. Peter flung up window,
the girls walked aimlessly about,
through the familiar, yet shOckingly
strange, chairs and tables that were all
coated thickly with dust.
1T needs everythingI" ak said,
after first quick tour OF inspection.
cycling a greater weather streak on
the raw plaster Of the dining-roOm
wall. at needs air, cleaning, straight
ening, flowers Gosh, how it does
need peopleI"
IL can't bear lit" Cherry said
softly, in a 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 and stood there, leaning
against the sill, and gazing sadly out
at the shabby, tangled garden that
had sheltered all the safety and joy
and innocence of her little-girl days.
peter" she said, as he came to
stand beside her, I'm so unhappy -
Cherry, win you end lit" he asked
her, huskily.
She gave him q startled look.
END itP' she faltered.
"Wil you-do you think you are
brave enough to give everything else
up for met" he asked.
"PeterP said Cherry, hardly above
breath.
"Wm you 90 away with meT' Peter
went on, feverishly. That's the only
way, now. That's the only way-now.
VIII you go awayT
go awayr' Cherry's face was ash
en- as she moved her tragic and beau
tiful eyes to his. 60 away whereT
ANYWHERE Peter answered, con
fusedly. Anywhere I" He did not
meet her look, his own went furtively
about the garden Immediately he
seemed to regain self-control. I'm
talking like a fooII" he said, quickly
"I don't know what I'm saying hal
! the timel I'm sorry-Pm sorry, Cher
~. Don't mind me. Say that you'll
forgive me for what I saidl"
He had taken her hands, and the.
, were looking distressedly and sober
, ~ at each ether when an uneIpecte'
! noise made them step quickly apart
I Cherry's heart beat madly with ter
: ror, and Peter flushed deeply.
1t was Martin Lloyd's aunt. Mn
North, their old neighbor, who cam
about the corner Of the house, an
approached them smilingly. How muc
/, had she seem Cherry asked herself
!. In a panic. What were they doing
a what were they saying as she ar
: peared71how much had their att
q tude betrayed them7
n MrS. NOTIn Was Tic SAME AOue
laughing, cheerful woman as Of oil
She kissed Cherry. and was full
queries for Martin.
Durango? Belle told me som'
, thing about his going there" she sal
: "How long you been here. Cherry
tive been with Alix and Peter IL
= for several weeks" Cherry said. u
\ easily. Her eyes met Peters and
conveyed reinsurance TO her with
,. look.
- "when you going back, dear7" Mr.
a North asked, with so shrewd gian'
a from Cherry's exquisite rosy face
!. Peters that he felt q fresh pang
suspicion. She had seen something
70 "why. I've been rather-rather kel
a here by the-the lawsuit, haven't