The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1921-02-03
ONE DAY
BY MARY J. HITCHCOCK.

With conscious quickenlng or
pulses the man lifted her over. She
laughed up into his face.
did l keep you waiting? l tried to
be on time.
81 was afraid"
"For me-Or of me?" With the
question her laughter rang out. Her
eyes challenged him.
The Queen rides out today" he
quoted softly as he helped her into
the car.
"Where?" as she snuggled down be-
side him.
He named an inn some miles away.
But why go thereT
"Well, one must eat; and l remem-
Der that you love to dance"
You wouldn't like it,"
He leaned to her. Not for a single
minute, but"
1--WE won't go, then"
well, where?"
She told him and he stared at her,
wondering.
you told me you never wanted to
see that place again-that you wanted
to forget"
"That was more tan a month ago"
"You mean that now you DON'T
"What would you forget if you
couldY
First of all that my wife has de-
cided to divorce me"
You're sorryT"
"As the devilr' cxplosively. "And
for all the sins of omission and com
mission that made her think she would
be happier without me-"
AMI now she could not look at him,
though she tried. you say these
things-and to mev' she managed in
smothered tones.
ITO you first of all! Allie" He
leaned to her again, his breath hot on
her cheek.
There's the place" she cried, CON
scious even as she spoke that it was
a mistake. Then, in a rush of swift
confusion: Perhaps you can't help
being yourself, but, l should think
you'd get tired of your own wilfulness
at times"
''Do l need 20 confess itY She
glanced at him with slant eyes. ~
got tired long before you showed me"
THAT your wife was tired of finding
you always cross and impatient. You
can be awfully Grabbed" she inter
posed.
81 haven't q doubt of it," The new
air of humility sat well upon him.
But it's the nature of crab TO pre-
sent a hard outside-they get softer
and sweeter the deeper you go"
She smiled through humid eyes. ITS
because I've begun to realize that
that l am running away with you like
this"
Are we running away
Don't you know"
"Therew He slowed for the stop as
she leaned forward. seeking out with
eager glance the little rustic house
among the trees. at looks just as il
did that first time we came here. But
you've taken the name down"
why not? Honeymoon Camp doesn't
seem fitting-nOw."
But 1t looks as if it might be re
lated to honeymoon even now"
open the door, please. I'm going
in"
Don't you realize that you can't
you ought not?"
Are you going to prevent it,"
"All right, but l warned you" said
Bryne.
We'll have lunch" she said, tug
ging at the side hampers. Take them
in, please
Wed better start back as soon as
possible" he said, as they pushed back
their chairs.
She looked up quickly. I'm not GO
ing back"
But you can't stay here-alonew
~ planned on having you for COM
pany."
He checked the impulse to draw her
nto his arms.
IF that's alive must get back be-
fore dark"
"You-you-want to go?"
Only for your sake" as quietly as
his bounding pulses would allow. "Tll
wait outside if you'll hurry"
She let him go. Then, picking up a
magazine-relic of their former visit
she sat down at the window, pretending
TO read. Presently, she looked up
smiling, as she met the accusing look
In his eyes. He did not suspect that
she had let him stand in the doorway,
while she appeared to be absorbed in
the story.
"The gasoline-it's all run Quit" bis
tone accused as well as his eyes.
you"
And, If l dldT' she asked, shame
lessly.
But, why-T
Almost, he knew what her answer
would be. But he listened eagerly,
Oreathlessly, thirsting for her broken
ntterance as the desert thirsts for rain.
Because I-I-wanted to end our
Misunderstanding"
Then you really don't want to d.