Graham guardian., 1921-10-28
o0pyrisht By Kathleen Norris
Continued From Page Two)

"loh're awfully good to me- he
snid, briefly. when they were going
down the long grade
Alix did not answer Immediately and
he thought that she had not heard
She ran the big machine through the
valley, stopped at the postoffice, and
still in silence began the climb toward
the old house. The roads were all
narrow here, hut she could have fol.
lowed them In, the dark, he knew, and
he understood that II was not her driv.
Ing TINT made her face so thoughtful
and kept her eyes from meeting his.
"You sny I'm good to you, Pete,
she surprised him by saying suddenly.
81 hope am, For you've been very
good to me, my dear There's only
one thing In life that | haven't got, and
want. And that you can't, unfor-
tunateIy, get for me"
He had flushed darkly, and ne spoke
with little effort. "Td like to tryl"
She ignored The invitation for a few
minutes and for an instant of panic
he thought .he saw her lip tremble.
But when she turned to him. 1t was
with her. usual smile,
''It's only:1hat, would like 10 have
you--and:-~a1d Martin-and Cherry as
happy as ] am r. she said quickly. And
second later the mood was gone as
she turned the car In at the home gate
and exclaimed, There's Cherry now -
Martins somewhere about" Cherry
said M Peter Joined her, and Alix
stopped the car within conversational
range.
AIix remarklng that she would turn
the car 40 that she might later start
on the grade. disappeared and the
two were together again. after what a
highland what davl--and that was
all that mattercd. They spoke con
fusedly, In brief monosyllahles, and
were silent. their eyes meeting only
furtively and briefly.
"Can you walk mp to the cabin with
meT Peter asked. ~ want so much
to speak, to you. Everythiugs all Or.
ranged for tomorrow. All you have
TO think Of is Yourself. Now. In case
Of missing the boat agaln-whlch isn't
conceivable, hut we must he ready FOR
anything IL shall go straight to the
club. You must telephone me there.
Just go or tonight quietly, get as
much sleep as you can, and keep your
wits about.y YOU"
"Tell me our plans again." Cherry
faltered. D.,
'.It's perfectly simple" he said, Civ.
ing her anxious face a concerned
glance. "You. are going TO the Olivers'.
| go In, In the morning, TO get your
suitcase and my own and get to the
boat. shall be there at half-past ten
You get there before eleven-you
won't see me. But 90 straight on
board and ask for Mrs. Joyce's cabin
Wait for me there !"
"But--but suppose you don't come p
'Ill be there before you. II Is bet
ter for us not to meet upstairs. But
to be sure, I'll telephone you at Mnna
divers at about nine O'Clock tomOr-
row morning. I'll just tell you that
I'm on my way and that everything is
all right Do you realize that by this
time tomorrow we shall be out at sea,
he added, "leanlng on the rail-watch-
Ing the Pacific race by-and belonging
to each other forever and ever2"
The picture flooded her face with
happy color. "It's tomorrow at last !"
she said wonderingly as they walked
slowly toward the house. ~ thought
II would never be. It's only few
hours more, now"
How will you feel when It's today2"
he. asked.
.Oh, Retar, ] shall be so glad when
It's all over. and when the letters are
written, and when we've been Together
for year." she answered ferveHtly.
~ know II will be all MS we have
planned, buty-but If it were overr
They reached the side door now and
were mounting the three steps to-
gether.
''Be patient until tomorrow" he
whispered.
"oh," she said softly, 81 shan't
breathe until tomorrow"
Leaning. across her to push back the
light screen door, he found himself
face 70 face with Alix. In the dark
entrywAy Peter and Cherry had not
seen her, ,"had not heard her move. Pc.
ter cursed his carelessness; he could
not remember, In the utter confusion
of the moment just what he and Cher
~ had gaid, hpt If 1t was of betray-
ing nature, they had betrayed them,
selves. One chance In hundred that
she had not heard
Yet. If she was acting, she was act
ing superbly. Cherry had turned scar
let and hpd given him an open glance
Of CONSERVATION. but Alix did not seem
to see Il. She addressed Peter, but
when he found himself physically un-
able TO answer, she continued the con
with no apparent conscious
ness OF his stumbling effort to appear
natural.
''There you are! Are we gazing 10
nave any tennisI It's after two O'Clock
now."
IL had no Idea II was so late" Peter
said.
u knew II was getting on" Cherry
added, utterly at random.
"Go In and tell the BOY we won't be
back until tomorrow" Martin sag
gested 10 his wife.