The Medina sentinel. [volume] (Medina, Ohio) 1888-1961, 1921-10-27

opened ner mouth In unaffected as
tonishment. FOR there was no mis-
taking Cherry's tone.
Doctor" said Martin, coming in,
"this little glrl/of yours and l have
something to tell you'll"
The old man looked at him sharply,
almost sternly, looked about at the
girls faces, and was silent.
"Are you surprised, Daddy?" Cherry
laughed, with all child's innocent
exultation. The next instant Anne
and Martin were shaking hands, and
Alix had enveloped Cherry in an en-
thusiastic embrace.
"Surprised!" !" exclaimed Alix. "Why,
aren't you surprised yourself?"
Her sister flushed exquisiteiy, and
Martin laughed.
"We're just about knocked sillyv"
he confessed, and all the girls laughed
joyously. l
A place was made for Martin, and
biscuits and omelet and honey and
tea we're put into brisk circulation.
Cherry took her chair, all dimples,
fushes, smiles, and shy confidence.
"And what are your plansT Anne
asked materially.
Her uncle, who had been silent dur
Ing the excitement, mildly interposed:
II think we needn't 60 too fast,
young people! You've only known
each other few weeks, after all; you
must be pretty sure Of yourselves be-
fore-taking anything like a decisive
step. Plenty of time-plenty of time.
Mr.. Lloyd here and l must have some
talks about his plans"
II know exactly how you feel, Doc
tor" Martin said, se6sibly and SYM
pathetically. II realize that I should
have come to you first, and asked to
pay my respects to your daughter. Ex-
cept that It all came over me with
such a rush. A week ago Cherry was
only most attractive child, to me.
I'd spoken to my aunt about her and
had said that envied the man that
was some day to win her, and that
was all! Then the time came for me
to get back to work-and / found
couldn't GO! And then came last
night, when began to say good-byes,
and-it happened! / know that you
all hardly know me, and know that
Cherry is pretty young to settle down,
but think l can satisfy you, Doctor,
that you give her into safe hands, and
believe she'll never regret trusting
mel"
He had gotten to his feet as he spoke
and was holding the back of his chair,
looking anxiously and eagerly into the
old mans eyes.
well" said the doctor, touched,
in his gentlest tone, "well! It had
to come, perhaps. l can't promise her
to you very soon, Mr.. Lloyd. But if
you both are willing to wait, and if
time proves this to be the real feel
ing, don't believe you'll find me hard
on your
"That's all ! ask, sir !" Martin said,
resuming his seat and his dinner. And
for the rest Of the meal harmony and
gayety reigned. -
After dinner Cherry and Martin, in
all the ecstatic first delight of recog-
nized love, went out to the wide front
porch, where there were wicker chairs,
under the rose vines. Alix alone
laughed at them as they went. Anne,
with storm in her heart, played nois-
lily on the piano, and the doctor, after
giving the doorway where Cherry had
disappeared wistful look, restlessly
took to his armchair and his book, in
such desolation Of spirit as he had not
known since the dark day Of her moth
er's death.
.
The next day Alix and the engaged
pair walked up to invite Peter to q
tennis foursome on the old Blithedale
court. 1t was a Saturday, and as he
usually dined with them, or asked them
to dine with him on Saturday, they
were not surprised to find him busy
with charcoal burner, under the
trees, scompounding a marvellous dish
Of chicken, tomatoes, cream and mush-
rooms.
"Stop your messing one second |"
Alix said, catching him by the arm.
Congratulate these creatures-theyA,
they're going to be married! Why
don't you congratulate them|
Peter gave one long look at Mar
tin and Cherry, who stood laughing,
but little confused and self-con-
scious, too, in the grassy path. With
shock like death in his heart, he real
lied that 1t was all over. Their pro-
lection Of her, their suspicious, had
come too late. Blind child that she
was she was committed to this fasci-
mating and mysterious adventure. 4
His face grew dark with sudden
rush Of blood. But he went to them
quickly and shook hands with Martin,
and was presently reproaching Cherry
for her secretiveness in his old, or
almost his old, way
He arranged that they were to play
the tennis here on his own courts, and
later dine with him, but under his
hospitality and under the golden beau
ty Of the day 1t was all pain--pain---
pain. 1t was agony to see her with
him, beginning to taste the rapture of
love given and returned; 1t was agony