Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-02-03


her distracted manner increasing Alix's
sense that something was gravely
amiss. She started on her trip with
a heavy heart, but the half-hours run
soothed her in spite Of herself, and
now she reached the cabin In a much
more cheerful mood. - -
Peter was nowhere about, and as
she plunged into the work Of house
and. farmyard she supposed, withou,
giving the matter a conscious thought
that ne had gone TO the city.
mis- Peter not go train," Kow an
nounced presently.
All AliI's vague suspicion:
awakened
Not go train?" she asked with q
premonitory pang.
Kow. made large gesture as midi
eating affairs disorgaDized.
"Hm no so to bed" he further
stated. "Bo0s come late. He walkin
on porch"
'1He came I'm late and walked un the
jporchT AK echoed In a low tone. as
II to herself. Where Mr.. Peter go
now?" she asked. "He have some
coffee?"
mo eat" the boy answered. He
indicated the direction of the creek,
and after while Alix, with an icy
heart, went to the bridge and the pool
where Peter had first found Cherry
only a few weeks ago.
He was standing. staring vaguely at
the low and iisping stream, and Alix
felt a great pang of pity when she
saw him. He came to her smiling,
but as Cherry had smiled, with a wan
and CHASTITY face.
"Peter, you're not well?" Allx said.
II think-I am a little upset." he
answered. They walked back to the
house together. Alix ordered him to
take hot bath, and made him drink
some coffee, when, refreshed and
grateful, he came out TO the porch
half an hour later. They shared the
little meal that was her luncheon and
his breakfast.
He followed her TO the car and got
In the front seat beside her.
you're awfully good to me-" he
said, briefly, when they were going
down the long grade,
Alix did not answer Immediately and
he thought that she had not heard
She ran the big machine through the
valley, stopped at the postoffice, and
still in silence began the climb toward
the old house. The roads were all
narrow here, but she could have fol-
lowed them in the dark, he knew, and
he understood that 1t was not her drlv-
ing that made her face so thoughtful
and kept her eyes from meeting his.
You say I'm good to you, Pete"
she surprised him by saying suddenly.
81 hope l am. For you've been very
good to me, my dear. There's only
one thing in life that haven't got, and
want. And that you can't, unfor-
tunately, get for me-"
He had flushed darkly, and he spoke
with a little effort. I'D like to tryw
She ignored the invitation for a few
minutes, and for an instant Of panic
he thought he saw her lip tremble.
But when she turned to him, it was
with her usual smile.
ITS only that l would like TO have
you--and-and Martin-and Cherry IS
happy as am" she said quickly. And
second later the mood was gone rs
she turned the car in at the home gate
and exclaimed, There's Cherry now ~
Martins somewhere about" Cherry
said as Peter Joined her, and AllX
stopped the car within conversational
range. a
AliX remarking that she would turn
the car so that she might later start
on the grade, disappeared, and the
two were together again, after what a
highland what a day and that was
all that mattered. They. spoke con-
fusedly, in brief monosyllables, and
were silent, their eyes meeting only
furtlvely and briefly.
"Can you walk up to the cabin with
me?" Peter asked. ~ want so much
to speak to you. Everything's all ar
ranged for tomorrow. All You have
to think OF is yourself. Now, In case
of missing the boat again-which isn't
conceivable, but we must be ready for
anything IL shall go straight to the
club. You must telephone me there.
Just 90 of tonight quietly, get as
much sleep as you can, and keep your
wits about you"
"Tell me our plans again." Cherry
faltered.
ats perfectly simple" he said, Civ
ing her anxious face a concerned
glance. You are going to the Ollvers'
! go in, in the morning, to get your
suitcase and my own and get to the
boat. l shall be there at half-past ten.
You get there before eleven-you
won't see me. But go straight on
board and ask for Mrs. Joyce's cabin.
Wait for me there"
"But-but suppose you don't come ~
"TIl be there before you. 1t is bet
ter for us not to meet upstairs. But
to be sure, I'll telephone you at Minna
divers at about nine o'clock tomor-