The Yale expositor., 1922-02-16
CHAPTER XII.


Meanwhile Cherry, In the sick flut-
ter OF spirits that had become familiar
10 her Of late, kept her dentist APP
pointment, and at noon looked at a
flushed and lovely vision in the den
lists mirror.
She went out into the blazing street
II was one Of the hot nOontides of the
year. At two O'clock wild wind
would spring up and send papers and
dust flying, but just now the heat was
dry and clear and still.
She was carrying a parasOl and she
opened ii now and walked slowly to-
ward Geary street. She could not even
frame In her thoughts the utter blank
ness of the feeling that swept over
her at missing an opportunity to see
Peter She turned and went slowly
up past the big shop windows that re
fleCted the burning Plaza, and so came
TO the cool, great doorway Of the st.
Francis. Inside was tempered light
and much nOiseless coming and going,
meeting and parting.
Cherry drifted into the big, deep
carpeted waiting room; there were
other women there. sunk into the big
leather chairs, watching the doors and
gIancing ut the clock. When a man
came hastily in the door, one woman
rose, there was a significant smile,
murmured greeting, before the TWO
vanished.
In a luxurious chair Cherry waited,
Peter certainly would not come in I'M
Ill half-past twelve, perhaps not then.
Suddenly, with spring Of her heart
against her ribs, she saw Peters dark
head with its touches Of iron gray.
GrOomed and brushed scrupulously
as always with the little limp, yet as
always dignified and erect, he came to
stand before her, and she stood up,
and their hands met. Flushed and
little confused she followed him to
an inconSpicuOus table in a corner of
the dining room. Then the dreamlike
unreality and beauty of their hours
together began again.
did you expect me to meet YOU"
she smiled. For answer he looked at
her thOughtfully minute before his
own face lighted with a bright smile
81 don't think l thought Of your not
being there" he confessed. II was
simply moving all morning toward the
instant Of meeting" He watched her
almost with anxiety, for a moment
chen turned his attention TO the bill
Of fare. But Cherry was not hungry
and she paid small attention to the
order. or 10 the food when il came.
Presently they were talking again,
in that hunger for self-analysis that
IL a part of new love. They thrilled
at every word, Cherry raising her
eyes, shining with eagernesS. to his,
or Peter watching the little down
dropped face in. an agony Of alteration.
An hour passed, two hours after
awhile they were walking, still with
that strange sense of oneness and Of
solitude, and still as easily as If they
had been floating, to the ferry.
AK met them in Mill Valley with
vivid accounts of the day; she had
been bordering the brief talk with
| anne, and was anxious to have Peters
! view Of it. Peter was of the opinion
that Anne's conduct indicated very
clearly that she and Justin realized
that their case was lost
Then you're fixed for life Cherry"
was AliX's first remark. "Oh say!"
! she added in burst. Lets go down
to the old house tomorrow, will you?
Let's see what ii needs, and how much
would have to be done to make it fit
to live in"
Cherry flushed, staring steadily at
her sister, and Peter, too, was con
] fused, but Alix saw nothing. The
next day she carried her point, and
took them with her down to the old
house. Cherry was pale and fighting
tears, as. they crossed the porch, and
fitted the key in the door. Inside the
house the air was close and stale,
odOrOus of dry pine walls and Of UNI
aired rooms Peter flung up window,
through the familiar, yet shockingly
strange. chairs and tables that were all
coated rhickly with dust
1T needs everything!" Alix said,
after first quick tour of inspection,
cycling "a greater weather streak on
the raw plaster of the dining-roOm
wall. 1T needs air, cleaning, straight
ening, flowers Gosh, how 1t does
need peopleW
IL can't bear it," Cherry said
softly In sick undertone.
Alix. who was rapidly recovering
her equilibrium, sprang upstairs with
out hearing her, but Cherry did not
follow. She went TO the open front
doorway and stood there, leaning
against the sill, and gazing sadly out
at the shabby, tangled garden that
had sheltered all the safety and JOY
and innocence of her little-girl days.
Peter" she said, as he came to
srand beside her, I'm so unhappy !"
Cherry, will you end lt7" he asked
her. huslzily.
She gave him n startled look.