The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-10-20
Continued from Page Eight

In her soul she felt as if his arm was
about her. as If she were pouring out
to him the whole troubled story, sure
that he would rescue and console her.
She had wiped her eyes, and some
what recovered calm, but she trusted
herself only to shrug her shoulder as
she preceded Martin to the train.
There was no time for another word,
for Alix suddenly took possession of
them. She had had time to bring the
car all the six miles to Sausalito, and
meant to drive them direct to the val
ley from there.
She greeted Martin affectionately,
although even while she did so her
eyes went with ID quick, worried look
to Cherry. They had been quarreling,
Of course-it was too bad. Alix
thought, but her own course was clear
Until she could take her cue from
them, she must treat them both with
cheerful Inconsistencies of the
storm.
They reached the valley and Martin
was -magnanimous about the delayed
lunch. Anything would do for him.
he said he was taking a couple of
Gays holiday, and everything went.
kow WAS chopping wood after lunch.
n he sauntered out to the block with
suggestions; AIix, laying . fire for the
evening. simply because she liked 70
do that sort of work, was favored with
directions. Finally Martin pushed her
aside.
Here, let me do that" he said.
You'd have Il fine fire here, at that
rate p
Later he went down to the old house
with them, to spend there an hour
that was trying to both women. 1t
was almost in order low; Cherry had
pleased her simple fancy in the matter
of hangings and papering, and the
effect was fresh and good.
Girls going to rent this?" Martin
asked.
unless you and Cherry come 1--we
here Alix said boldly. He smiled
tolerantly.
why should we?"
We'll, why shouldn't your"
'Loating. eh?"
NO, not loatingd But o could
transfer your work to San Francisco,
couldn't your
Martin smiled a deep, wise, long
enduring smile.
"Oh, you'd get me a job, l suppose"
he asked. II love the way you women
try to run things" he added. but |
guess I'll paddle my own ano for a
while longer"
There Is no earthly reason why you
shouldn't live here" Alix said pleas
antly.
There is no earthly reason why we
should! |" Martin returned. He was
annoyed by a suspicion that Alix and
Cherry had arranged between them 10
make this plan the alternative TO a
divorce. ITO tell you the honest truth.
! don't like Mill Valleyi'
Alix tasted despair. Small hope OF
preserving this particular relationship.
He was, as Cherry had said, ''impos-
80 ~ iioot ~ " nam JOo ithS
Mill Valley better." she said with
resolute ~good-nature. "Of course. it
means a lot to Cherry and to me to be
near each Otherp'
THAT may be true. too" Martin
taking the front seat again
the drive home.
Alix was surprised at Cherry's pas
and ciIanoQ hr1t Chorru nac
wrapped in a sick and nervous dream,
unable either to interpret the present
or face the future with any courage.
Before luncheon he had followed fer
into her room and had put his arm
about her. But she had quietly shaken
MIN off, with the nervous murmur
'Please-no, don't kiss me, Martini"
Stung, Martin had Immediately
dropped his arm, had shrugged his
shoulders indifferently and laughed
,cornfully. Now he remarked to Alix,
With some bravado:
You girls still sleeping out?"
"Oh. always-we all do" Alix had
answered readily. peter has an en-
bunk on his porch; Cherry and |
ave lily pOiCH. Dul YOU eau nc Out
,r In. as o choOse!"
Martin ventured an answer that
made Cherry's eyes CLINT angrily and
a quick. embarrassed flush to
Alix's face. Alix did not enjoy a
type of joking, and she did not |
Martin even the ghost of a
mile. He Immediately sobered and
emarked that he himself liked to be
INDOORS at night. His suitcase was [
accordingly taken into the pleasant |
title w~ood-smelling room next to Pc s
er's, where the autumn sunlight, c
cented with the dry sweetness Of
1ountain shrubs, was streaming. s
He began to play solitaire, on the
orch table, at five, and Kow had to @
isturb him to set 1t for dinner at y
even. Alix was watering the gar
en-, Cherry was dressing. 1t was an 9
xquisite hour Of long shadows and d
lights. S
KOw had put u tureen of soup on s
he table, and Alix had returned with "
amp. clean hands and trinity brushed Il