Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-05-24
prematurely transferred to graver
matters.

prematurely transferred to graver
matters. +:
Martin was quite right in some of
his contentious: Rirl-like. she was
spasmodic and unsystematic in her
housekeeping: she had times Of being
disconnected and selfish. She hated
economy and the need for careful
managing.
In October Alx CHANGED to write
her q long and unusually goesipy let
ter. Alix had a e gown OF black
grenadtne, and she had sung at an
afternoon tea, and had evidently sue
ceeded in her first venture. Also they
had had a mountain climb and en-
closed were snapshots Peter had taken
on the trip.
Cherry picked UP the little kodak
prints; there were four or five of
them. She studied them with a pans
at her heart. Alix in a loose rough
coat. with her hair blowing in ere
wind and the peaked crest Of Tanlal-
pals behind her-Alix busy with lunch
boxes-Alix standing on the old bridge
by the mill. A wave of homesickness
swept over the younger sister; life
tasted bitter. She hated Alix, hated
Peter: above all she hated herself.
She wanted to be there, In Mill Valley,
free to play and to dream again
A day Or two later she told Martin
kindly and steadily that she thought
it had all been a mistake" She told
him that she thought the only digni-
fled thing>to do was to part. She liked
him; she would always wish him well,
but since the love had gone out of
their relationship. surely it was only
honest to end it..
What's the natter. Martin de
manded. trt.
Nothing special" Cherry assured
him. her eyes suddenly watering:
only I'm tired Of it ali. I'm tired
Of pretending. I can't argue about it..
But l know it's the wise thing to do"
You'd go back to your father, 1
Until I could get into something"
Cherry replied with dignity. A vague
thought of the stage fitted through
her mind. -, -
"oh!" Martin said politely. And
I suppose you think your father would
asree to this delightful arrangement ?"
4 know he would." Cherry an
swered eagerly.
All right-you write and ask him."
Martin agreed good -naturedly. Cherry
va surprised at his attitude. but
grateful more than surprised!
Not cross. Mart ?" she asked.
mot the least in the world" he
lightly.
Because | truly believe that we'd
both be happier" the woman said
hesitatingly. Martin did not answer.
The next day she sat down to write
her father. She meditated, with a
troubled brow. Her letter was unex-
poctedly hard to compose. She could
not take q bright andl simple tone,
asking e father to rejoice in her
Somehow the matter
persisted in growing heavy and the
words twisted themselves about into
ugly and selfish sounds. Cherry was.
young. but even to her youth the
phrases, the misunderstood" and the
"uncongenial," the friendly parting
before any bitterness creeps in" and
the free to decide, lives in some
happier and wiser way" rang false.
Pauline had been divorced . few a
ago. and the only thing Cherry dis
liked in her friend was her cold ana.
.resentfnl ~references to her first hus-
band.
No, abe couldn't be 4 divorced WON.
nr was all spoiled, the innocent
and the, future there was no
wAy QUIT she gave up the attempt at
letter ana began to annoy Martin
With talk OF visit home again.
What You want TO go for ?,
oh, just-5ust-" Cherry's irrepres-.
dble tears Angered herself almost as
much az they did Martin. II think
they'd like me TOT, she ALTERED.
Go II you want tot" he said, but
she knew she could moi 70 on that
That's It." she rid st last Il her
ali. In ene Of her solitary hours.
@1'm married md this ~ n,errAa~n M.