Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1922-04-29


surance and ease of the adept, drifted
into one Of the songs of the old days.
do you remember the day we put
| the rose tree back, Peter?" she asked.
| when Martin was almost a stran-
ger? And do you remember the day
we made biscuits, over by the ocean?"
Il remember all the days" he an
swered, deeply stirred.
I'VE didn't see all this. then" AIix
unused, still playing softly. Anne
claiming everything for her husband,
you and l here talking of Dads death.
and Cherry married." She sighed.
shes not happyY" he questioned
quickly.
shes not unhappy" she told him,
with a troubled smile. It's Just one
of those marriages that don't ever get
anywhere, and don't ever stop" she
added. Martin has faults, he's I'M
reasonable, and he makes enemies.
But those aren't faults for which a
woman can leave her husband. Oh,
Peter she added, laying a smooth,
warm hand on his, and looking into
his eyes with her honest eyes, don't
go away again Stay here in the
valley for week or two, and help me
get everything worked out and
thought Out-Ive been so much
alOnel"
Dear old Alixr' he said, sitting
down on the bench beside her and
putting his arm about her. She
| dropped her head on his shoulder, and
so they sat, very still, for long min
ute. AliXs hand went to her own
shoulder, and her fingers frightened on
his, and she breathed deep, contented
breaths, like a child.
Somebody ought to wire Mrs.
Grundy, collect" she said, after
awhile.
I'VE will defy Mrs. Grundy, my
dear" Peter said, kissing the top of
soft brown braid, by trotting off
hand in hand tomorrow and getting
ourselves married. Why, Alix, he gave
US his consent years ago-don't you
remember?"
He did wish itl' she said, and
burst into tears.
Il seem to be doing things in
slightly Irregular manner" she said
to him the next day, when they had
gotten breakfast together, and were
basking IN the sunlight of the upper
deck Of the ferryboat, on their way to
the city. Il spend the night before
my marriage alone-in a small coun-
try house hidden in the woods-with
my betrothed, and propose to buy my
rousseau Immediately after the eere-
mony!"
Her voice fell to a dreamy note, and
she watched the gulls, wheeling in the
sunshine, with thoughtful smiling
eyes. The man glanced at her once
or twice, in the nlence that followed,
with something like hesitation, or com
junction, in his look
Look, here. Alix-let's talk. l
want to ask you something. There's
never been anything-anything to tell
you-or your father, if he was here"
Peter said, flushed and a trihe awk-
ward. I'm not that kind Of a man.
But there has been that one thing
that one woman
Flushed, too, she was looking at
him with bright, intelligent eyes.
But thought she never even
knew"
No, she never did"
AlIx looked back ut the gulls.
"Oh, well, then" she said. indlf-
ferently.
"Alix, would you like to know about
herr Peter said bravely. Her name
and everythingT"
"Oh, no, please, I'd much rather
noti" she intercepted him hastily, and
after a pause She added, Our mar
rage isn't the usual marriage, in that
way. | mean I'm not jealous, and I'm
not going to cry my eyes out because
there was another wOman--is another
woman who meant more to you, or
might have! I'm going into it with
my eyes open, Peter. / know you love
re, aud ! love you, and we both like
The same things. and that's enough"
Three weeks later he remembered
the oment. and asked her again.
They were in the valley house now,
and a bitter storm was whirllng over
the mountain. Peters little cabin
rocked TO the gale, but they were warm
and comfortable beside the fire: the
room was lampIighted, scented by
Alix's sweet single yiolets. white and
purple, spilling themselves from
glass bowl, and BY Peters pipe, and
By the good scent Of green bay burn
ing. The Joyces had had d happy
day, had climbed the halls under "a
lowering sky, had coroe bone 70 dry
clothes and DO cooking, for K6g was
away, and had finally shared an cpl
curean meal beside the fire.
Peter was wrapped n deep content;
the companionship OF this normal,
pretty woman, her quick words and
quick laugh, her music her glanclng,
bright interest 10 anything and every
thing, vas the richest experience Of |
his life. She had said that she would