Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1922-03-11
EcHAPTER I-continued.)

?
"Prrer is a dear fellow" the doctor
nused. But Cherry-why, she's bare
IN eighteeni He-I don't suppose he
/ feallv ever kissed her" The old man
Aesltated, began again: "Just fancy"
he assured her. "Just an old fathers
fear that she is growing up too fast !"
Because we all, and you especially,
8poil her" Anne reminded him, smil-
8ng. peter" she added thoughtfully,
#has kissed us all, now and then !"
She stopped for a dutiful goodnight
Kiss and was gone.
Downstairs, the doctor sat on, think
4ng and his face was grave. He was
thinking Of little Cherry's good-n g}t
4iss, half an hour ago. She had rested
Against his arm, and he had held her
4here, but what had been the thoughts
behind the blue eyes so near his own?
He realized with a great rush of fear
chat some man had kissed Cherry to-
hight had held her against a tobacco
scented coat, and that the girl was
woman, and an awakened woman at
that Cherry-kissed a man! Her IA
#ther's heart WINGED away from the
Thought.
Young Lloyd and Peter had walked
Mhome with her. But If Anne was right
Mn her maidenly suspicious of Lloyd's
Mintentions, then 1t must have been Pc
ter who surprised little Cherry with a
Meudden embrace.
And as he came to his conclusions
certain relief crept into the old
mans heart. Peter was an odd fell
How; he was ten years too old for the
child. But Peter was lover of books
Il and gardens and woods and music, aft
er all, and Peters father and this old
man musing by the fire had been Lee"
q and Paul" to each other since boy
as innocently as a brother; In any
case, Peter would wait for her would
be all consideration and tenderness
when he did win her.
Cherry, he reflected fearfully, was
as pretty as her mother had been at
eighteen, with the same rounded chin
and apricot cheeks, and the same
Swallowed innocent blue eyes with q
8 Aim Of corn-cOIored hair blown across
them. She had the strange, the indie
Unable quality that without words, al
mSS- without glances, draws youth
toward youth, draws admiration and
a passion, draws life and all its pain
formulated in his heart the thought
that she might be happily married
Married-nOnsense Why, what did
she know Of life, of submission and
courage and sacrifice? 1t would be
4 years many years, before the snowy
j Trills and the pale gold head. and the
hrm, brown little hand would be ready
for that!
Not many hours after he went slow
ly up to bed morning began to creep
INTO the little valley. Alix. at her
early bath. heard quail calling, and
looked out to see the last of the fog
vanishing at eight o'clock, and to get
q wet rush Of fragrance from the Per
sian lilac, blooming this year for the
nrSt time. AT half-past eight she came
out into the garden, to find her father
somewhat ruefully studying the tum-
DIED ruins Of the yellow banksia rose
The garden was still wet, but warm
Ing fast; she picked a plume Of dark
and pertumed heliotrope, and began to
Iasten 1t in his coat lapel while she
kissed him.
Wen never get that back on the
roof, my dear boy" Alix said mater
nally,
Her father pursed his lips, shook
his head doubtfully. The rose. a short
week ago, had been spreading fanlike
branches well toward the ridee-pole.
story and half above their heads
but the great wind of yestereve that
hed ended the spring and brought In
the summer had dragged 1t from its
place and flung It, tumble of emerald
leaves and sweet clusters Of creamy
blossoms, across tie path and the
steps Of the porch Alix tentatively
rugged at a loose spray, and stood
biting her thumb.
Her attention was distracted by the
setter puppy who cane clumslly gam
poiing toward her. Hello. old Bunny.
Goodies :" she said with rich anec-
uoh' kissing the dogs silky head, and
14rylng both hands In his feathered
collar Hello. old Buck r'
Alexandra, for heavens sake stop
handling that brute.' said Peter
soyce disgustedly, coming UP the path.
care say you've not had your break
.aSt either, Go wash your hands
Morning Doctorr'
father and daughter turned to smile
upon him, tan, lean man, with
young face and a finely groomed head.
ana with touches Of premature silver
81 his temples