The Raymer enterprise., 1921-12-29
CHAPTER I-conslnued.)

p
"Peter Is a dear fellow" the doctor
unused. "But Cherry-why, she's bare.
~ eighteenl He-1 don't suppose he
really ever kissed her" The old man
hesitated, began again: "Just fancy"
he assured her. "Just an old fathers
fear that she Is growing up too fast r.
Because we all, and you especially.
spoil her." Anne reminded him, smil-
ing. "Peter," she added thoughtfully,
'has kissed US all, now and then r.
She stopped for dutiful goodnight
kiss, and was gone.
Downstairs, the doctor sat on, think
ing, and his face was grave. He was
thinking Of little Cherry's goodnight
kiss, half an hour ago. She had rested
against his arm, and he had held her
there, but what had been the thoughts
behind the blue eyes so near his own ?
he realized with a great rush Of fear
that some man had kissed Cherry to-
night, had held her against tobacco
scented coat and that the girl was a
woman, and an awakened woman at
that. Cherry-kissed a man! Her IA
theirs heart WINGED away from the
thought.
Young Lloyd and Peter had walked
home with her. But II Anne was right
In her maidenly suspicious Of Lloyd's
intentions, then It must have been Pc
ter who surprised little Cherry with a
sudden embrace
And as he came to his conclusions
certain relief crept into the old
mans heart. Peter was an odd fel-
low; he was ten years too old for the
child. But Peter was lover of books
and gardens and woods and music, aft
er all, and Peters father and this old
man musing by the fire had been Lee
and paul" to each other since boy
hood. Peter might give Cherry a kiss
AZ lnnocently as q brother: In any
case. Peter would wait for her. would
be all consideration and tenderness
when he did win her.
Cherry, he reflected fearfully. was
40 pretty as her mother had been at
eighteen, with the same rounded chin
and apricot cheeks, and the same
shadowed innocent blue eyes with q
hlm Of corn-colored hair blown across
them. She had the strange. the inde.
Unable quality that without words, al.
most without glances. draws youth
toward youth, draws admiration and
passion. draws life and all It's pain.
Her father for the nrst time tonight
formulated In his heart the thought
that she might be happily married
Married-nonsense Why, what did
she know Of life. Of submission and
courage and sacrifce7 It would be
years. many years. before the snowy
frills, and the pale gold head, and the
nrm, brown little hand would be ready
for thatl
Not many hours after he went slow
~ up to bed morning began to creep
into the little valley. Alix. at her
early bath, heard quail calling, and
looked out to see the last Of the fog
vanishing at eight o'clock, and to get
q wet rush Of fragrance from the Per-
dan lilac, blooming this year for the
hrst time. At half-past eight she came
out Into the garden. to find her father
somewhat ruefully studying the tum.
bled ruins Of the yellow banksia rose.
The garden was still wet, but warm.
ing fast; she picked a plume Of dark
and perfumed heliotrope. and began to
fasten II In his coat lapel while she
kissed him.
"We'll never get that back on the
roof, my dear boy" Alix said mater
nally.
Her father pursed his lips, shook
his head doubtfully. The rose, short
week ago, bad been spreading fanlike
branches well toward the ridge-pole. q
story and a half above their heads.
But the great wind Of yestereve that
had ended the spring and brought In
the summer had dragged 1t from Its
place and flung It. a tumble Of emerald
leaves and sweet clusters Of creamy
blossoms, across the path and the
steps Of the porch. Alix tentatively
tugged at a loose spray, and stood
biting her thumb.
Her attention was distracted BY the
setter puppy who came clumsily gam
boiling toward her. Hello. old Bumpy-
doodles!" she said with rich affec.
tion, kissing the dogs silky head. and
burying both hands In his feathered
collar. "Hello, old Buck"
alexandra, for heavens sake stop
handling that brute!" said Peter
Joyce disgustedly, coming up the path.
II dare say you've not had your break
fast. either. Go wash your hands
Morning, Doctori"
Father and daughter turned to smile
upon him, tall, lean man, with q
young face and a finely groomed head,
and with touches Of premature silver
at bis temples.