The Dolores star., 1922-04-07
CHAPTER XIV.

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 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.
AliX tried to win her confidence re-
garding Martin. But briefly, quickly,
and with sort of affectionate and
apologetic impatience, Cherry refused
TO discuss him.
~ shall not so back to him!" 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.
II don't know what Tn 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
on7" Alix urged. "Now that the
monevIis all yours. Cherry, and you
can have this nice home TO come to
now and then, isn't it different?'
Cherry was looking at her steadily.
You don't understand, Sis" she
said.
II understand that you don't love
Martini" Alix said, perplexed. But
can't people who don't love each other
live together In peace7" she added,
with half smile
"N-n-ot as man and wifel" 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 well-w
Yes, but, Alix," Cherry argued
eagerly, I'm not well when I'm un-
happy My heart is like lead all the
time; l can't seem to breathe! Peo-
ple-isn't it possible that people are
different about thatI' she asked
timidly.
81 suppose they are!" AliS conceded
thoughtfully. Anyway. look Mt all
the fuses in history" she added care
lessly, "of grande passions, and mur-
ders. and elopements, and the fate of
Misunderstanding on just the fact that
4 man and woman hated each other
too much. or loved each other too
much! There must be something in
1t all that I don't understand. But
what do understand" she added, af-
ter a moment, when Cherry, choked
with emotion, was silent. sis that Dad
would die of grief if he knew you were
unhappy, that your life was all broken
up in disappointment and bitterness !"
'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 sorrowfully.
Cherry, regaining self-control, re-
sumed her work silently. with an oc-
casional, sudden sigh. She had 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 Cherry.
Are you ready?" he asked.
quite !" she said, raising blue eyes
to his.
Its tomorrow, then, Cherry!" he
said
Tomorrow !" He saw the color ebb
from her face as she echoed him. This
was already late afternoon; perhaps
her thoughts raced ahead to tomorrow
afternoon at this time wheh they two
would be leaning on the rail of 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 I think Of" she an
swered And now the color came up
in splendid wave of flame, and the
face that she turned toward his was
radiant with proud surrender.
He told her the number of the dock;
they discussed trains.
1--WE sail at eleven" said Peter, "but
/ shall be there shortly after ten. I'll
have the baggage on board, everything
ready; you only have to cross the
gangplank. You have your baggage
check; give 1t to me-"
They were waiting in the car while
Alix marketed. Cherry opened her
purse and gave him the punched card
board.
'Pll tell Alix that l have a last
dentist appointment at half-past ten,"
she said. "If she goes in with me,
We'll go to the very door. But she
says she cam come in tomorrow, any
way. I'll write her tonight, and drop
the letter on the way to the boat, To-