The Holly chieftain., 1922-04-06

The misery In her beautiful eyes made
Alix's heart sink.
"And that" Cherry said in whis-
per. sis my husband!"
She paused. staring down at the
table, one hand supporting her fore
head, the other wandering idly among
the breakfast things. Her look was
somber and far away. Alix, standing,
watched her distressedly, through
long minute of silence.
"Well." Cherry said lifelessly, look
ing up at her sister with dulled eyes.
what now? It's still for better or
worse 1 suppose?"
Alix sat down, and for a moment
covered her face with tight-pressed
hand. When she took 1t away there
was new serenity and resolution in her
tired face.
"No," she said, with great sigh, II
think perhaps you're right! He hasn't
he should have no claim ON you
nowv'
"Alix," Cherry demanded. "would
you forgive him?"
perhaps wouldn't" Alix said,
after thought.
perhaps you wouldn't!" Cherry
echoed. incredulously.
"Well, I'm not very good" Alix said,
hesitatingly. But a vow is vow, you
know. If 1t was limited, then my
my fulfillment of 1t would be limited,
suppose. OF course" she added,
honestly, I'm talking for myself
only!"
"And you would quietly forgive and
forget!" demanded the little sister, in
bitter scorn.
II say hope would" Alix cor
rected her. Even II this is true'-she
added, with glance at the lavender
letter-"still, suppose the rule OF for
giving seventy times seven times"
Cherry interrupted her with burst
of bitter and rebellious weeping.
"Oh, my God, what shall / don she
sobbed. with her bright head dropped
on her arm.
Don't cry, Cherry, Cherry!" Allx
said. her own tears brimming over.
She came to kneel beside her sister,
and they locked their arms about each
other, and their wet cheeks touched
Don't cry, dearv she said, tenderly.
"It'll all come straight, somehow, and
We'll wonder why we took it SO hard (!
Now listen to me, Sis,' as soon as
Cherry had somewhat regained her
composure. "We'll ascertain about
this letter; that's only fair. If Martin
denies it"
"Of course he'll deny it," Cherry
interrupted. from the bitter knowledge
she had of him.
Alix again felt daunted for q second
by the sheer ugliness and sordidness
of the matter. but she returned to the
charge bravely.
Suppose we get Peter to ask him."
she suggested suddenly. peter has d
out of people!" Poor Cherry, the very
mention Of his name makes her
vince, Alix thought, watching her
sister sorrowfully. IF Martin can
convince Peter that 1t Is not true,
then that makes all the difference In
the world" she added aloud. "Then
you tell Martin frankly that you have
the old house ready to live in, and you
want to live there. He"
Hell never agree to that I" Cherry
said. shaking her head. But II this
is true?" she asked, again indicating
the letter.
''Then tell him that unless he agrees
absolutely to separation" Alix said,
"that you will get divorce!'
"And live here, Alone under that
sort of cloud?" Cherry said, with
watering eyes. "Oh, well." she said,
rising, and going toward the door.
ITS horrible = horrible - horrible =
whatever l do! What Is your idea
that we should dine, and go to the
Orphenm tonight as II nothing had
happened, and let all this wait until
you can ask Peter to cross-examine
Martini"
81 wonder If Martin would tell me?
that letter by mistake and frighten
him into admitting 1t, If it's trueT'
Alix said.
you could" Cherry admitted. life
lessly. But you may be sure 1t is
true enough!" she added.
"Then leave 1t to mel" AlIx said.
"And don't feel too sad, Cherry.
You're young and life may take
turn that changes everything for you.
You always have Peter-Peter and
me- back Of you!'
"AliX, you're the best sister a girl
ever had" Cherry said, passionately,
putting her hand on AliX's shoulder.
II wish l were as big as you are
And he's made me SO wretched," whis-
pered Cherry, with trembling lips,
that sometimes I've been sick of life
But I will investigate this letter, and
If it's not true, I'll try again, Alix!
I'll go away with him, II he wants me
to, or I'll live here-and study French
and go to lectures with you"