The Holly chieftain., 1922-04-13

I'll be there before you. 1t Is bet
ter for us not to meet upstairs. But
to be sure, I'll telephone you at Mnna
row morning I'll just tell you that
I'm on my way and that everything Is
all right! Do you realize that by this
time tomorrow we shall be out at sea-"
he added, "leaning on the rail-watch-
ing the Pacific race by-and belonging
to each other forever and ever?"
The picture flooded her face with
happy color. ''It's tomorrow at last !"
she said wonderingly as they walked
slowly toward the house. II thought
1t would never be. It's only few
hours more now"
How will you feel when it's today7"
he asked.
''Oh, Peter, shall be so glad when
it's all over, and when the letters are
written, and when we've been together
for year." she answered fervently.
II know 1t will be all as we have
planned, but-but If it were overt"
They reached the side door now and
were mounting the three steps to-
gether.
'Be patient until tomorrow" he
whispered
"Oh," she said softly, II shan't
breathe until tomorrow"
Leaning across her to push back the
light screen door, he found himself
face to face with Alix. In the dark
entryway Peter and Cherry had not
seen her, had not heard her move. Pc
ter cursed his carelessness he could
not remember, in the utter confusion
of the moment, just what he and Cher
ry had said, but if 1t was Of betray-
ing nature, they had betrayed them
selves. One chance in hundred that
she had not heard!
Yet, IL she was acting, she was act
ing superbly. Cherry had turned scar
let and had given him an open glance
of CONSERVATION, but Alix did not seem
to see it. She addressed Peter, but
when he found himself physically un-
able to answer, she continued the con-
versation with no apparent conscious
ness Of his stumbling effort to appear
natural.
There you are! Are we going to
have any tennis? It's after two o'clock
now."
II had no idea it was so late" Peter
said.
II knew 1t was getting on" Cherry
added. utterly at random.
go In and tell the boy we won't be
back until tomorrow" Martin sug-
gested to his wife.
"You could all come down here to
sleep" Cherry said, 'and have break
fast hereI"
II have to go into town rather early
tomorrow" Peter remarked. "Porter's
giving breakfast at the Bohemian
club"
"Why not walk up to the cabin?"
II have to take the car up. You
three walk! Come on, anybody who
wants to ride!' Alix said.
"They can walk" Martin said, get
ting into the front seat. ME for the
little old bus"
ShCAly SulhC Out VI lhS houoC WIN
her hat on, and Buck leaped before
her into the back seat. Alix watched
her as she stepped up on the running
board, and saw the color flicker In her
beautiful face.
II thought you were going to walk?"
Peter said nervously. He had saun-
tered up to them with an air of in
difference.
"Shall II" faltered Cherry. She
looked at Alix, who had not yet
climbed into the car and was pulling
on her driving gloves. Alix, toward
whose face the dog was making eager
springs, did not appear interested, so
Cherry turned to Martin. "Walk with
us, Mart?" she said.
"Nix," Martin said comfortably, moi
stirring.
"Tll be home before you, Pete, and
wait for you," Alix said. She looked
at him irresolutely, as II she would
have added more, but evidently de-
cided against 1t and spoke again only
in reference to the dog. Keep Buck
with you, will you, Pete?" she said.
Hes getting too lazy. No, sir!' she
reproached the animal affectionately.
"You shall not ride! Well, the dear
old Bucky-boy, does he want to come
alongW
And she knelt down and put her
arms about the animal, and laid her
brown cheek against his head.
"You old fool!" she said. shaking
him gently to and fro you've got
to stay with Peter. Old Buck
Suddenly she was on her feet and
had sprung into her place.
Hold him, Pete!" she said. Good
by, Sis dear! All right, Martini"
The engine raced; the car slipped
smoothly into gear and vanished. Pc
ter and Cherry stood looking at each
other.
"Give them good start or Buck
will catch them," Peter said. his body
swaying with the frantic jumping of