Graham guardian., 1921-10-21

during. She sat lmmovable, her eye
fixed, her body held rigid, as bod
might be In the second before 1t fel
after bullet had cleanly pierced tn
heart.
Then she put her hand to her throat
and looked with sort of terror II
the silent figure of Cherry. Nobod!
must knOw-that was AIix's first clea
thought. She was breathing hard, he
breast rising and falling painfully
and the blood in her temples began t.
pound; her mouth was dry.
With blind instinct for solitude
she went quickly and silently from the
sleeping porch, and into the warm sit
ting room. For few minutes AliS
stood, with one foot on the chain that
linked the old brass fire dogs, her ell.
bow on the mantel and her cheek
resting against her arm.
mo" she whispered, almost audi.
bly,, "no-lt can't be that! II can't be
Cherry and Peter-Oh, my God Oh,
my God, 1t has been that, all the time,
that, all the time-and never knew
it-l never dreamed I'll
IT'S Peter and Cherry! They have
come to- care for each other-they
have come to care for each other" she
! said to herself, her thoughts rushing
and tumbllng in mad confusion as she
tested and tried the new fear. at
must be so. But 1t can't be SOP Alix
| interrupted herself In terror "for
what shall we do-what shall we dol
Cherry in love with Peter. But Peter
Is my husband-he Is my husband"
And In spasm of pain she shut her
eyes, and flung her head as If suffo-
eating. The beating of her heart
frightened her. II shall be sick if
go on this wayl" she reminded her
self. "And then they will know. They
mustn't know. But Peter" she
whispered suddenly. peter, who has
always been so good to me---sO gen
erous to me-and it was Cherry all
the time! Even those years ago,
when we used to tease him about the
lady with the crinOlnes and ringlets,
1t was she. But why didn't he ask her
instead OF me?" wondered AIix, and
with an aching head and frowning
brow she began to piece It oil to-
gether.
The terrible truth rose triumphant
from all her memories. Sometimes for
a second hope would flood her with
almost painful joy, hut inevitably the
truth shut down upon her again, and
hope died, and she realized afreSh that
sorrow, stronger than before, was
waiting to seize her again.
WE'LL can't stand 1t In here |"
AliX said, suddenly. She crossed to
the door and opened 1t, and slipped
uoiselessly out into the night, catch
ing a coat from the rack as she
passed.
The night was wrapped in an ocean
reg. there was so moon and no stars,
but the air was soft arc warm. With
no goal in view, AIix climbed upward,
walking rapidly, breathing hard, and
frequently speaking aloud. as some
poignant lltOu,ht smote her. or stand |
ing still TOO SEX with pam. under an
unexpected rush Of emotion, to move. |
lie would have told lne about it |
why Didn't ! let him." ran Alixs |
thoughts. ~ thought of some older
wonlan. don't know why--anyway, |
didn't care so much Ihen. But care
nov! Peter, care now. can't give
You up. even to Cherry. II Is non
sense to TALK of giving him up" A!ix
IO'd herself sitting own in the irky
lark. on Il log against which her wild
wax had suddenly brought her. FOR
We are all married people and we all
Owe each other. But oh. am so sor.
" | am 81 sorry. Peter" she whis-
Dcred. as II She were speaking to him
You coIjdnl help ii, know that.
She is so pretty AMI so sweet, Cherry
aud she turns to you as If you were
Ter big brotherm
She got 20 her feet and went on.
What am thinking about-itrs alb
urd Can't people like each other, in
ms world, just because they happen
o be married! Peter would be the
lrSt 10 laugh at me. And Is it fair to
Merry even to think that she would
"Oh. but It's true,' the honesTer i'm.
'ulSe interrupted, mercIeSsly. "It is
rue, Whether it's hit or wrong, or
ehSlb'e or absurd, they do love each
lher; that's What has changed them
9th"
Ana she began TO remember hundred
Il thousand-trifles, that made II all
lde"lSiy clear Words, glanCes,
lo,@S subtler Than either, came back
D her. Chcrry's confusion of late.
'hen the question of her return to
ial'tln was raised, her indifference to
or inheritance, her restless Ilk dur
" one hOur Of Immediate departure,
hd during The next Of an apparently
'rllileSs visit; all these were siguih-
ant now.
Il am desperately unhappyl" Cherry
nd SAID. Aud Immediately after that.
iiX recalled wretvhedIy, had come
rief And apparently almless talk
boat AIiN's rights, and her eagerness
, share them with her sister
Poor Cherry" the older sister said
loud, Standing still for moment.
ld pressing both hands over her hot
yes. Poor little old Cherry-liIe
lSh1 been very kind to her! She