, 1922-03-08

Her sister seemed not to real her.
The misery in her beautiful eyes made
Alix's heart sink.
"And that" Cherry said in a wills
per, sis my husband"
She paused staring down at THE
table, one hand supporting her fore
head, the other wandering idly among
the breakfast things. Her look was
somber and far away. Alix, standing.
watched her distressedly, through a
long minute of silence.
"Wellr Cherry said lifelessJy, look
ing up at her sister with dulled eyes.
What now? It's still for better or
worse l suppose?"
Alix sat down, and for a moment
covered her face with a t~ight-pressed
hand. When she look ii away there
was new serenity and resolution in her
tired face.
mo" she said, with a great sigh. 81
he should have no claim on you
now!"
-Alix," Cherry demanded, would
you forgive him?"
Perhaps 1 wouldn't Alix said.
after thought.
Perhaps you wouldn't Cherry
echoed, in~credulously.
well, I'm not very good" Alix said,
hesitatingly. But a VOW is a vow, you
know. If 1t was limited. then my
my fulfllment OF 1t would be limited,
l suppose. OF course" she added.
honestly, I'm talking for myself
only
and you would quietly forgive and
~forgetr" demanded the little sister, in
bitter scorn.
Il say 1 hope 1 would" Alix cor
rected her. Even If this is true"-she
added. with a glance at the lavender
letter-"still, l suppose the rule of for
giving seventy times seven times"
Cherry interrupted her with a burst
of bitter and rebelllous weeping.
"Oh, my God, what shall / dor she
sobbed, with her bright head dropped
on her arm.
Don't cry, Cherry, Cherry =, AIix
said, her own tears trimming over.
She came to kneel beside her sister.
n they locked their arms about each
other. and their wet cheeks touched.
Don't cry, deari' she said, tenderIy.
It'll an come straight, somehow, and
We'll wonder why we tool 1t so hard!
Now listen to me. SIS as soon as
Cherry had somewhat regained her
composure. well ascertain about
this letter; that's only fair. II Martin
denies it"
"Of course he'll deny i'll" Cherry
interrupted, from the bitter knowledge
she had of him.
Alix again felt daunted for a second
by the sheer ugliness and sordidness
of the matter, but she returned to the
charge bravely.
Suppose We get Peter to ask him."
she suggested suddenly. Peter has a
wonderful way Of getting the truth
out of people," Poor Cherry, the very
mention of his name makes her
vince, Alix thought, watching her
sister sorrOwfully. IF Martin gcan
convince Peter that 1t is not true,
then that makes all the difference in
the world" she added, aloud. Then
you tell Martin frankly that you have
the old house ready to live in, and you
want to live there. He"
Hell never agree to that p Cherry
said. shaking her head. "But If his
is true?" she asked, again indicating
the letter.
'Then tell him that nile he agree
absolutely to a separation" Allx said.
'tha you viii get n divorce!'
"And live here. alone. under that
sort Of a cloud?' Cherry said. with
watering eyes. "Oh, well" she said.
rising, and going toward the door.
ITS horrible = horrible = horrible =
Whatever / dol What is your idea
that we should dine. and go to the
Orpheum tonight rs If nothing had
happened, and let all this wait until
you can ask Peter to cross-examine
Martini"
81 wonder II Martin would tell me?
Why couldn't 1 pretend that ! opened
thai letter by mistake and brighten
him into admitting 1t, If it's trueT'
Alix said.
"You could" Cherry admitted, life
lessly. But you may be sure 1t is
true enough p she added.
Then leave it to me !" AIix said.
"And don't feel too sad, Cherry.
You're young, and life may take a
turn that changes everything for you.
You always have Peter-Peter and
me. back of youi"
"Alix, you're the best sister a girl
ever had" Cherry said, passionntely.
putting her hand on Allx's shoulder.
II wish 1 we're as big as you are !
And he's made me so wretched.,' .shts-
pered Cherry, with trembling lips.
that sometimes I've been sick OF life f!
But / Will Investigate this letter. and
II It's not true. I'll try again, AK !
I'll go away with him, If he wants me
to. or I'll live here-and study Frerch
land go to lectures with you"
MYon dnrIinn y, All rnld NTH m