Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-01-10
CHAPTER XIV.

Swept along Dy passionate eActe
ment that seemed actually to consume
her, Cherry lived through the next
three days Alix noticed her mood,
and asked her more than once what
caused it. Cherry would press a hot
cheek to hers, smile with eyes full Of
pain, and fiutter away. She was well,
she was quite all right, only she-she
was afraid Martin would summon her
soon-and she didn't want to go TO
HIM
Suspecting something gravely amiss,
AliS tried to win her confidence re-
garding Martin. But briefly, quickly,
and with sort of affectioplte and
apologize impatience, Cherry refused
to discuss him.
II shall not go back to hlm!" she
said, breathing hard, and with the air
of being more absorbed in what she
was doing than what she was saying
,"But do you mean that YOU are
really going TO leave him?" the older
sister questioned.
81 don't know what I'm going to
do!" Cherry half sobbed.
..But, dearest--dearest, you're only
twenty-four; don't you think you
might feel better about it as time goes
onT" Alix urged "Now that the
money is all yours, Cherry, and you
can have this nice home to come TO
now. and then, isEt 1t dlfferentT
Cherry was looking at her steadily.
"You don't understand, Sis" she
said.
81 understand that you don't love
Martin" AliX said, perple&ed. "But
can't people who don't love each other
live together in peace?" she added,
with half smile.
"N-n-ot us man and wife, Cherry
stammered.
Alix sat back on her heels, in the un-
graceful fashion of her girlhood, and
shrugged her shoulders.
"Think of the people who are wor-
rying themselves sick over bills, or
sick wives, or children to bring up"
she suggested hopefully. my Lord. If
you have enough money, and food,
and are young, and we'll"
"Yes, but, Allx," Cherry argued
eagerly, 'Tm not we'll when Pm I'M
happy. My heart is like lead all the
time; I can't seem to breathe! Peo-
ple-isn't il possible that people are
different about that?" she asked
timidly.
81 suppose they reT Alix conceded
thoughtfully. Anyway, look at all
the fuses in history" she added care
lessly, "of grande passions, and mur-
ders, and elopements, and the fate Of
natlons-resting on just the fact that
q man and woman hated each other
too much, or loved each other too
much! There must be something In
It all that / don't understand. But
what I do understand" she added, af-
ter a moment, when Cherry, ChOked
with emotion, was silent. "iS that Dad
would die of grief if he knew you were
unhappy, that your life was all broken
up in disappointment and bittesneSS!' "
"But is that my fault?" Cherry eX'
claimed, with sudden tears.
Alix, after watching her for trou-
bled minute, went to her and put her
arm about her Don't cry, Cherry"
she pleaded sorrOwfulIy.
Cherry. regaining self-coDtrol, re.
sumed her work silently, wifi al Oc-
casional, sudden sigh. She lad opened
the subject with reluctance; now she
realized that they had again reached
blank wall.
Three days after their talk in the
moonlit garden Peter found chance
to speak alone to CherrS.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
"Quite!" she said, raising blue eyes
TO his.
"It's tomorrow, then, Cherryr. ht
said.
Tomorrow" He saw the cClcr ch
from her face as she echoed him. This
was already late afternoon perhap,
her thoughts raced ahead to tomorrow
afternoon at this time When they TIVE
would he leaning on the rail If the
little steamer, gazing out over the
smooth, boundless blue of the Pacific
and alone in the world.
Tomorrow you will be mine" he
said.
That's all 1 think or" she an
swered. And now the color came VI
in splendid wave Of flame, and th'
face that she turned toward his was
radiant with proud surrender.
He told her the number Of the dock
they discussed trains.
awe soil at eleven" said.Petec, "hut
I shall r. there shortly after ten. II
have tie baggage on board, everything
ready; you only have 70 Cross tht
gangplank. You have your baggage
check; give il TO me-"
They were waiting in the Ger while
Alix marketed. Cherry opened hel
purse and gave him the punched card
board.
"rll tell Alix that l have lasj