The Holly chieftain., 1922-01-26

ter's?" Cherry stated rather than
asked. do you remember" she
glanced at her father, who was read
ing his paper. "do you remember
when Dad always used to scold us
for being rude to Peterr
'Well. I'd rather 60 to Peters for
dinner than anywhere else ever go"
Alix remarked, dreamily. Seriously,
l mean It'll" she repeated as Cherry
looked at her In amused surprise. "In
the first place, love his bungalow
tiny as 1t is, It has the whole Of lit
tie canyon to itself, and the prettiest
view in the valley. think. And then
I love the messy sitting room, with
all the books and music, and / love
the way Peter entertalns. wish,"
she added. simply, 'that 1 liked Peter
half as well as 1 do his housed"
"Peter's dear!" Cherry contended.
"Oh, know he isl'' Alix said,
quickly. Peters always been a dear,
Of course. But / mean In special
sense" finished Alix with an en-
tirely unembarrassed grin.
Cherry, through glittering cloud
Of hair, looked at her steadily. Sud-
denly she gave an odd laugh.
do you know never thought Of
Peter like thatT she said.
Alix nodded with cautious look at
her father, who was out Of hearing.
'No, nor L! We've always taken
him rather for granted" she admit
ted. "Only I've been rather wishing,
lately, that Peter wasn't such an un-
flattering, pig-brotherish, everyday
neighbor sort Of person."
Cherry regarded her steadily, with
an awakening look in her eyes.
why lately?" she asked.
Because" said Alix, briskly and
unromantically. 81 think Peter would
like me towel, to stop taking him
for granted! I imagine he's awfully
lonely. And then 1 imagine 1t would
please Dad"
dad has always been ridiculously
fond Of him." Cherry said, thought
fully. Peter-possibly in love with
Alixl She had never even suspected
1t. Well, there was something rather
pleasant in the thought, after all, II
Alix didn't mind his ugliness and
thinness. Cherry thought about 1t all
day. She Rad no thought Of money a
year or two ago; but she was more
experienced now. And Peter was rich.
Ordinarily she would have said that
she was not going to change for
Peters dinner; but this afternoon.
without mentioning the fact. she
quietly got into one of her prettiest
dresses; dress that had been made
In the long-ago excitement Of trous-
seau days. Peter as a rather auto
cratic and critical neighbor was one
thing; as possible brother-in-law he
was another.
She came downstairs to find her
father waiting, and they walked away
through the woods together. Alix
had already gone up to Peters house
to play tennis. They walked slowly
through the lovely aisles of the trees,
crossing road or two, climbing
steadily upward under great redwoods.
Cherry's skirt brushed the gold dust
from masses and masses Of buttercups.
The tennis was over, but Just over !;
Peter and Alix were sitting. still pant
ing, on the rail Of the wide, open
porch. and shouted as the others
came up.
"You missed doubles" !" called Alix.
"The grandest we ever did! Doubles
with the Thompsons and three sets
straight to us-six-two, si1-two. and
six-two again! They've gone. Oh,
heavens, never had such tennis. Oh,
Peter, when you stood there at the net
and just curved your hand like cup"
-Alix gave an enthusiastic imitation
land over she went, and game and
set! I"
Cherry, sinking white and frilly into
a chair, smiled indulgently. The walk
had given her wild-rose color, and
even Ali1 was struck With her extraor-
dinary beauty. Alix had wheeled
about on the rail to face the porch,
and Peter had gotten to his feet and
was Hospitality pushing basket chairs
about. Now he gave Alix a critical
look.
You're disgracefully dirty" he
said, fraternally.
II know it." she answered, calmly
"Have l time to tub?'
"All the time in the world !" he an
swered.
Alix departed.
ats very pleasant to me to have
Alix so much at home here" Cherry
said. when Alix was gone, and the
doctor wandering happily about the
garden. 81 don't know what we'd
do If any one ever usurped our places
here!"
She had said It deliberately; the
fascination Of her recent discovery
was too strong to resist. The man
flushed suddenly. For h full minute
lie did not speak, and Cherry was sur
prised to find herself little thrilled
and even frightened by his silence.
"What put that into your head?"