Grand Forks herald., 1922-05-31

With his two daughters, Alix and
Cherry. 9 the latter just eighteen years
land. retired, Is living at Mill Valley, q
short distance from San Francisco. His
closest friend is Peter Joyce, something
Martin Lloyd. mining engineer. falls IN
love with and secretly becomes engaged
TO Cherry. While the family is specuiat-
nrgn! Ing as TO, to tloyd's intentions Cherry
nouncing her engagement to him nr.
Strickland feels Cherry is too young. to
marry and urges her to wait at least q
ing to an immediate wedding and the
ceremony takes place. the couple leaving
at once for Ell Nido, where Martin is en-
hs to days
with Martin and the monotony of her
Anne marries Justin Little, a lawyer.
Cherry goes home for the wedding.
satisfied over her life with her husband.
She is called home by the death of her
father. Following his death the niece
estate on the ground that an old loan
made to him by her father had never
been repaid.
after Cherry has left for her home, and
leave for New York.
Alix and Peter marry, and go to live
at his home. Later Cherry goes to them
Cherry talks of divorcine her hus-
band. and Peter finds himselfself
strangely interested in her.
Alix finds receipt showing that
her father had repaid the loan from
cover that they love each other.
CHAPTER XIV.-Continued.
II believe that even Alix will under
stand" Peter said after awhile. ''She
loves you and me better than anyone
else in the world: she is not only ev-
everything that is generous, but she
isn't selfish. she is the busiest and the
most sensible person I ever knew. 1.
know-of course know it's rotten"
he broke off in sudden despair, ''but
what I'm trying to say is that Alix,
Of all people know. is the one tina,
will make the least fuss about It"
Cherry was staring raptlx before
her; now she grasped his hand and
said breathlessly:
"Oh. Peter. are we talking about it?
Are we talking about our going away,
and belonging to each other?"
What. else? he said. quick tears
in his eyes.
"Oh. but I've been so unhappy. I've
been SO starved!" she whispered. II
thought I wanted people-cities-I
thought I wanted to go on the stage.
But it was. only you I wanted. Oh,
Peter. what life 1t will be! The lit
tlest cottage. the simplest life and
perhaps q beach or woods to walk in
land ALWAYS talking. reading. alwav
together Isn't there some way we
can get away. disappear as II We had
never; been?" ~. 4.
4 'cheffyv he said. kneeling before
her%in the wet grass. You know whs.
it means!'
1T means you" she answered aft
er a silence. She had laid her hands
softly about his neck. and her shin
Ing eyes were close to his. -
It's so beautiful-it's so wonderful
to love this way she said. in her
innocent. little-girl voice, that it
seems to me the only thing in the
world! I'd come to YOU. Peter. IL 4
meant shame and death and horror
i doesn't mean that, it only means
q man and a woman settling down
somewhere in the south OF France. q
big quiet man who limps a little. and
a little yellow-headed woman in blue
smocks and silly-lookinE hats-'
1T means life. OF course!" he inter
rupted her. The hour that makes
you mine. Cherry. will be the exoui-
site hour OF my whole life!"
They were silent for wi,tle. ana
below them the white moonlight deep
ened and frightened and swam IKE
an enchantment.
There will be no coming back;
Cherry.
oh. know that!" s,
There capt ever be-there mustn't
be-you'yA thought of that?" he said.
uncertalnly.4 In the curious,C unreal
light that flooded the world, he saw
her turn. and caught the gleam Of her
surprised eyes.
You mean children, child :" she
said. surprisedly. 'Why>.not, Peter ~.
she added. tightening her fingers.
what could be moro wonderful thar,
that we should have a child7 Can
you imagine q happier environment
for a child than that little sunsainy,
woodsy beach cottage: can't you zee
the little figure the two or three lit Il
tie figures, scamDering ahead of us
through the country roads OF around
the fire Oh. can" said Cherry. hsr
rAordinafy voice rich ana sweet
with ipnEins. ~ can! Thst would be
motbsrhcod, Peter, hat .xauldn.t Ne