, 1922-03-29

couldn't fail Martin now. when he
needs me sol"
"He needs you now" Peter conced-
ed, "and I don't ASK you to do any
thing that must distress him now. But
in a few months. when his mother
m down for a visit you must tell
them honestly that you care for me-"
he said.
Cherry was trembling violently.
"But how could II" she protested.
'"Tell him that l am going away, de-
sorting him when he most needs me ~
Peter had grown very pale.
But" he stammered. his face
close to hers-"but you cannot mean
that This Is the end?"
She moved her lips as II she was
about TO speak looked at him blankly.
Then suddenly tesrs came. and she
wrenched her hands free from his,
and laid her arms about his neck. Her
wet cheek was pressed to his own, and
he put his arms tightly about the lit
tie shaken figure.
"Peteri' she whispered. desolately.
And after a time. when the violence of
her sobs was lessened. and she was
breathing more quietly, she said
again: "Peteri We can never dream
that dream again."
I'VE shall dream 1t again." he cor
rected her.
Cherry did not answer for a long
while. Then she gently disengaged
herself from his arms, and sal erect.
Her tears were ended now, and her
voice firmer and surer.
No; never again 7 she told him.
"Tve been thinking about 1t, all these
days. and I've come to see what is
right, as l never did before. Alix
never knew about us. Peter-and
that's been the one thing for which l
could be thankful in all this time But
Alix had only n hope for me, and
that was that somehow Martin and
would come to be-well, to be nearer
to each other, and that somehow he
and / would make a success Of our
marriage, would spare-weil. let's say
the family name, from all the disgrace
and publicity Of a divorce"
But, Cherry, my child" Peter ex-
~postulated. You cannot sacrifice all
your life to the fancy that no one else
can take your place with him"
"That," she said, steadily, 'is just
what l must dol"
Peter looked at her for q few sec
onds without speaking.
You don't love him." he said.
NO." she admitted, graveiy. 81
don't love him-not In the way you
mean"
HE is nothing to you" Peter argued.
"As a matter Of fact, 1t never was
what a marriage should be. 1t was
always-always-a mistake"
YES" she conceded. sadly. sit was
always a mistake |"
"Then there is nothing to bind you
to him !" Peter added.
"No-and there isn't Alir to distress
nowi" she agreed. ~thoughtfully. "And
yet" she went on, suddenly. 81 do this
more for Alix than for any onei'
Peter looked at her 10 silence.
looked bach at the last flicker Of the
fire.
you will change your mind after
awhile |" he said.
OAiCiA use 2iOm thC ChdhIs dnu
stood with dropped head and troubled
eyes, looking down at the flame. /
mo. l shall never change my
mindi I" she said, In a low tone that
was still strangely fra and final for
her. For five or ten Or twenty or
thirty years / shall always be where
Martin Is. caring for him. amusing
him, making a life for him." And
Cherry raised her glorious blue eyes
in which there was a pure I'M an up
lifted look hat Peter had never seen
there before. 1T is what Dad and
Alix would have wished" she finished,
solemnly, land 1 do it for theml |"
Peter did not answer; and after a
moment she went quietly and quickly
from the room, with the new air of
quiet responsibility that she had worn
ever since the accident.