Omaha daily bee., 1921-09-04

elN]777'
= I've got limousine. and the darned thing is
heated"
Dorothea's eyes widened.
"Aiy dear boy" she protested. III you're
going TO do that sort OF thing"
II won't last week in New York? ! sup
pose not. May see Aunt Caroline for mo-
ment? I've brought her some str"."
He disappeared into the outer nall, then re-
turned hidden behind the "stun," which proved
to be two florists boxes and huge steamer
basket" under a riot of scarlet bows. Thought
perhaps she'd like to unpack the basket her
SELF" he explained "All sorts Of things In 1t.
like a grab bag May amuse her."
"She will be enchanted"
Dorothea's voice was warm but thoughtful.
Despite herself. she found her agile mind turn
ing into dollars these punches Of white grapes.
these long.stemmed roses. Each OF the roses,
when unpacked for a few moments In the in
yalds room, seemed to sigh II cost dollar!"
1t was mad extravaganza, but. she decided 1t
was worth while. They left Mrs. Hutton un.
packing her surprise basket" with the delight
of a child over Christmas stocking, and joy
ously assisted by Nora, whose set expression OF
yesterday had given place to one Of deep
thoughtfulness.
II didn't have chance to tell you last
night Dolly" Dick said. as the limousine bore
them uptown, that while was working out
west I had what book chaps call a dream. The
very week ran away made up my mind that
some time was coming backbone. For.
though I ran away from it, it always seemed
home to me-"
The girl was touched and showed It.
GSYS,- R1YA kl~Ak ~IaA
wanted to come back to u.s."
ITO you-yes. You were all had you and
Uncle Willard Aunt Caroline" he added
dutifully. 80 from the first worked toward
getting back. was rolling stone, but was
rolling one way all the time. toward home. So
far as I could, I got myself ready for that
home" he went on. Il read lot. went to
night schools, when I was anywhere near one.
When ran up against men who could help
me, gentlemen, watched their ways and their
talk I said to myself-'You've been home
less rat ever since you were IA, but, after all,
you were born Of well-bred people. and you're
going back to well-bred people some day. It's
up to you to 60 in for preparedness"
Dorothea put out her hand and touched
the gray -goved fist that rested on his knee.
"That was splendid" she said And you're
wonderful Dick!'
He leaned toward her eagerly. Again the
odd light flashed in his eyes. 'You mean that ?"
he stammered. "You wouldn't be ashamed OF
me, among your old friends?"
II should be proud Of you, anywhere"
She spoke simply but sincerely. He drew
g quick breath.
II have the most extraordinary sense Of
nearness to you." she added. Under the look in
his eyes q wave Of color flooded her face Some
thing new had entered their relations. some
thing that made her heart pound. He leaned
closer and took her hand.
pho x,,u~ "a,
the suggestion I'm going to make. But before
you say anything. want you to think 1t over.
1t--well, 1t means lot to ME. won't deny
that. It's the dream. On the other hand
perhaps you won't think it's practicable. don't
know
He stopped moment, then went on with
the effect Of a runner taking a hurdle at full
speed. I'm going to be in New York good
deal from now on-about half the time, the
way it looks And-Tm wondering II you'll take
me inf we can live together Now don't
speak, he fastened to add. 'Think it over a
while"
She was glad Of his suggestion to think it
over. Certainly it needed thinking about, though
her heart seemed to turn over when 1t was made
She must pull herself together-if she could.
This strange man who had been Dick and was
suddenly some one else must not be permitted
to unsettle her judgment. With extraordinary
rapidity her mind circled first around the propo-
sllioH, tHeH around the OBVIOUS objections that
presented themselves.
First, of course, there was the almost in
superable one Of lack Of space. Where in the
little apartment, could she tuck young giant
like Dick? On the other hand, there was Nora's
roonl--a most unusual room for a servant
charmingly papered and fitted up with some of
the good old Hutton furniture The room was.
indeed, the supreme attraction which had kept
the girl contented and happy for two years. She
would never have such room elsewhere But
Nora was going, and possibly room outside the
building could be engaged for the new maid.
All that would mean expense, but-here was a
vital point-Dck would no doubt expect to pay
the usual New York rates for room and board.
Thus his coming might even help to meet and
Danish that nightmare, the increased cost Of
living
Her dark eyebrows knit under the intensity
OF her mental processes If Dick paid even fifty
dollars month the year around and certainly
he would not expect to pay less she could man
age. And there would be the wonder Of his
presence-for which she felt her whole being
longing. To have him there always, to talk to,
to turn TOO, yes, Dick must come. In some
way it could be, it must be. arranged. She knew
that now. absolutely
Her silence had lasted longer than she real
lied. Glancing at him, she saw that he had
grown little pale. She remembered the dream
which had filled his mind for twenty years. She
spoke with quick reinsurance.
Dear Dick" she said, in her warm, colorful
voice Il wasn't hesitating over your coming.
OF course you're to be with US. was Just
thinking Of ways and means"
He did not speak, and she subconsciously
realized that he could not.