The Raymer enterprise. (New Raymer, Weld County, Colo.) 1910-19??, 1922-03-09
CHAPTER xiv.


take you somewhere, where we Gin be
happy together?s
Cherry turned her confident, child.
ish face toward tin;; her lashes gilt.
tered, but she smiled
II love you, Peter" SIZE said. And
the words, sounding softly through the
silence OF the garden. died away on
the warm night air like music.
In the two weeks since the day at
the old house they had not CHANGED to
be often alone. and tonight. for the
first time, Cherry admitted that she
could fight no longer. They talked as
lovers, his arm about the soft little
clinging figure, her small. firm fingers
tight In his own. He had squared
about on the great log that was their
seat so that his ardent eyes were
closer to her; the world held nothing
but themselves. 1t was eight o'clock.
so this Is the thing that was wait
ing for us all these years. Cherry. ever
since the time you and ak used to
dam my brook and climb my oak
trees !"
Il never dreamed of IT." Cherry
said. with wonder In her tone.
III we had dreamed Of 1t" Peter
began, and stopped.
'Ah, II We had, II would all be diff.
fcrent." Cherry said, with n look Of
pain. THAT'S the one thing can't
bear to think Of! cannot go back to
Martin. can't leave you'll can't leave
you" ...
Shall we 60 awayi" Peter asked,
simply.
60 where" she asked.
go anywhere!" he answered. ave
have money enough; we can leave
Allx rich-she will still have her cabin
and her dogs and the life she loves.
But there are other tiny places, Cher
ry; there are little cabins In Hawaii,
there are Canadian villages Cherry.
there are thousands Of places In the
south Of France where we might live
for years and never be questioned, and
never be annoyed"
"France!" she whispered, and the
lowncast face he was watching so
eagerly was thoughtful. How could
we CO." she breathed "You first, and
then I? To meet somewhere
I'VE would have TO 20 together"
he decided swiftly. EVERY one must
know, dear; you realize thatT'
Wide-eyed she was staring ut him
rs II spell-bound by some new hope
now she shrugged her shoulders In
careless dlsdaln.
THAT isn't Of any consequence
"You don't feel II SOL" He sat down
beside her, and again they locked
hands.
mot that part" she answered, sim
ply. II mind-Alix," she added,
thoughtfully.
Eyes, mind Alix!" he admitted.
But the injury is done to Alix now"
Cherry said, slowly. "Now II is too late
TO so back You and ! couldn't-we
couldn't deceive Allx here, Peter"
Cherry added, and as she turned to
him he saw her thin white blouse move
suddenly with the quick rising Of her
heart. 'That-that would be too hor-
rible! But ! could take this love Of
ours away, leave everything else be-
hind, simply-slmply recognize" STAN
mered Cherry, her lips beginning to
tremble, that It Is bigger than our
selves, that we cant help 1t, Peter.
I'd fight II II ! could" she added, pite-
onsly, I'D go away If didn't know
that no power on earth could keep me
from coming back !"
She buried her head on his shoulder.
and he put his arm about her. and
there was utter silence over the great
brooling mountain. and In the valley
brimming with soft moonshine. and In
the garden.
Il believe that even Allx will under
stand" Peter said after awhile. "She
loves you and me better than any one
else in the world she is not only ev-
erything that Is generous, but she isn't
selfish. she Is the busiest and the most
sensible person | ever knew. know
--of course know its rotten" he broke
of In sudden despair, "but what I'm
trying to say Is that Alix, of all peo-
Pile | know, is the one that will make
the least fuss about IT."
Cherry was staring raptly before
her; now she grasped his hand and
said breathlessly:
ooh. Peter. are We talking about III
Are we talking about our going away,
and belonging to each otherw
what elsel" he said, quick tears
in fls eyes.
"oh, but I've been 30 unhappy. I've
been so staryed!" she whispered. II
thought ! wanted people-cities-I
thought ! wanted to go on the stage.
But 1t was only you i wanted. Oh,
Peter, what life II will be! The lit
tlest cottage, the simplest life. and
perhaps beach or woods to walk In
and always talking, reading. always
together. Isn't there some way we
can get away, disappear as II We had
never been7"
"Cherry!" he said, kneeling before
her In the wet grass "You know what
1t means!"
1T means you'll" she answered. after