The Holly chieftain., 1922-03-23

which her tortured spirit seemed to
coin the 'hackneyed phrase.
THAT stuff" Martin sneered, under
his breath. "Well, all right, don't
care. get your divorce" he agreed,
carelessly. "But I'll have something
to say about that, too," he warned her.
You can drag the whole thing up be-
fore the courts IL you, want to-only
remember, II you don't like 1t much.
you did 1t. 1t never occurred to me
even to think Of such a thing! I've
done my share in this business; you
never asked me for anything 1 could
give you that you didn't get; you've
never been tied down to housework
like other women; you're not raising
family Of kids-gO ahead, tell every
shop-girl In San Francisco all about
1t, In the papers, and see how much
sympathy you get!"
'Oh, you beast!" Cherry said, be-
tween her teeth, furious tears In her
eyes. The water swan In a blur of
blue before her as they rose to go
downstairs at Sausalito.
Martin glanced at her with impa-
thence. Her tears never failed to
anger him.
Don't cry, for Gods sake !" he said,
nervously glancing about for possible
onlOokers. what do you want me to
do? For the Lords sake don't make
scene until you and have chance
to talk this over quietly"
Cherry's thoughts were with Peter.
In her soul she felt as If his arm was
about her, as If she were pouring out
to him the whole troubled story, sure
that he would rescue and console her
She had wiped her eyes, and some
what recovered calm, but she trusted
herself only to shrug her shoulder as
she preceded Martin to the train.
There was no time for another word.
for AliK suddenly took possession Of
them. She had had time to bring the
car all the six miles to Sausalito, and
meant to drive them direct to the val
ley from there.
She greeted Martin afrectionately,
although even while she did so her
eyes went with quick, worried look
to Cherry. They had been quarreling,
of course-it was too bad, Alix
thought, but her own course was clear,
Until she could take her cue from
them, she must treat them both with
cheerful unconsciousness of the
storm.
They reached the valley and Martin
was magnanimous about the delayed
lunch. Anything would do for him,
he said; he was taking a couple Of
days holiday, and everything went.
kow was chopping wood after lunch,
and he sauntered out to the block with
suggestions; Alix, laying fire for the
evening, simply because she liked to
do that sort Of work, was favored with
directions. Finally Martin pushed her
aside.
Here, let me do that" he said.
You'd have a fine fire here, at that
Eatei"
Later he went down to the old house
with them, to spend there an hour
that was trying to both women. It
was almost in order now; Cherry had
pleased her simple fancy In the matter
Of hangings and papering, and the
effect was fresh and good.
Girls going to rent thisT Martin
asked.
.Unless you and Cherry come live
here" Alix said boldly. He smiled
tolerantly.
"Why should WEI"
well, why shouldn't your
"LOafing, eh?"
mo, not loafing. But you could
transfer your work to San Francisco,
couldn't your
Martin smiled a deep, wise, long
enduring smile.
"Oh, you'd get me job, suppose?"
he asked. Il love the way you women
try to run things he added, "but
guess I'll paddle my own canoe for
while longerr'
There Is no earthly reason why you
shouldn't live here" Alix said pleas
antly.
There ts no earthly reason why we
should" Martin returned. He was
annoyed by suspicion that Alix and
Cherry had arranged between them to
make this plan the alternative to e
divorce. ITO tell you the honest truth,
l don't like Mill yalleyv'
Alix tasted despair. Small hope of
preserving this particular relationship.
He was, as Cherry had said, "impos-
sible."
"Well, we must try to make you like
Mill Valley better!" she said with
resolute good-nature. "Of course, it
means lot to Cherry and to me to be
near each other!"
'That may be true, too," Martin
agreed, taking the front seat again
for the drive home.
Alix was surprised at Cherry's pas
sivity and silence, but Cherry was
in sick and nervous dream,
unable either to interpret the present
or face the future with any courage.
RQfOro luncheon bo hoJ $o,,o,raa 49,.