The Raymer enterprise., 1922-03-16
CHAPTER XIV.
-13--

Swept along by a passionate excite.
nient 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 flutter AWAY. She was well,
she was quite all right, only she--she
was afruid 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 a sort Of affectIonate and
apologize lmpatlence, Cherry refused
to discuss him.
II shall not 20 back to hint" 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 I'm going to
dol" Cherry half sobbed.
But, dearest--dearest, you're only
twenty-four; don't you think you
might feel better about It as time goes
onr' Alix urged. "Now that the
money Is all yours. Cherry, and you
can have this nice home to come to
now and then, Isn't It differently"
Cherry was looking at her steadily.
"YOu don't understand, Sls!" she
said.
~ understand that you don't love
Martin" AlIx said. perplexed. But
cant people who don't love each other
live together In peacer she added,
with half smile,
"N.n-ot as 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-
rylng themselves sick over bills, or
sick wives. or children to bring upw
she suggested hopefully. my Lord II
you have enough money, and food,
and are young, and we'll"
ayes. but. AlIx," Cherry argued
eagerly. "rm not well when I'm un-
happy. My heart Is like lead all the
time: I can't seem to breathe! Peo-
ple--isn't 1t possible that people are
different about thatl" she asked
timIdly.
81 suppose they are!" AllI conceded
thoughtfully. Anyway, look at all
the fusses In history she added care
lessly, "of grande passions. and muir
ders. and elopements. and the fate OF
Misunderstanding on Just the fact that
man and woman hated each other
too much. or loved each other too
much There must be something In
II all that don't understand. But
what do understand" she added. af.
ter Il moment, when Cherry. choked
with emotion, was silent, us that Dad
would die Of grief II 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.
Allx. after watching her for n trou.
bed minute, went to her and put her
arm about her. "Don't cry, Cherry ="
she pleaded sorrowfully.
Cherry. regainlng self-control. re-.
sumed her work silently, with IN 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 readyf' he asked.
"Quite." she said. raising blue eyes
10 his.
"It's 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 l think Of" she an.
swered. And now the color came up
In a 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.
ave 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 It to me-"
They were waiting In the car while
Allx marketed. Cherry opened her
purse and gave him the punched card
board.
"l'll tell Allx that I have q last
dentist appointment at half-past ten,"
she said. III she goes In with me.
we'll 90 to the very door. But she