The Dolores star., 1922-03-31
CHAPTER XIV.

never nappy, any more, unless my
arms are about you. VIII you let me
take you somewhere. where we can be
happy togethe-T'
Cherry turned her confident, child
Ish face toward kir; her lashes gilt
tered, but she smiled.
81 love you. Peter" sN. 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 chancrd to
he 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 10 her; the world held nothing
hut themselves. II was eight o'clock.
80 this is the thing that was wait
ing for us all these years, Cherry. ever
since the time you and Alix used t"
dam my brook and climb my oak
trees -
II never dreamed OF it," Cherry
said. with wonder In her tone.
IF we had dreamed of It" Peter
began. and stopped.
"Ah, if we had. 1t would all be diff
fcrent." Cherry said, with look Of
pain. That's the one thing ! can't
bear To think Of, l cannot go back TO
Martin. cant leave you'll can't leave
you."
shall we 20 away?" Peter asked,
simply.
Go wherer she asked.
Go anywhere" he answered 1--WE
have money enough; we can leave
AliN 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
| Iowncast face he was watching so
eagerly was thoughtful. "How could
we GO she breathed. You first, and
then I? To meet somcwhere?"
I'VE would have to 20 together"
he decided swiftly. every one must
| know, dear; you realize thatf'
Wide-eyed she was staring at him
MS If spell-bound by some new hope;
now she shrugged her shoulders In
careless disdain.
THAT isn't of any consequence ~
You don't feel 1t So" He sat down
beside her, and again they locked
hands.
Not that part" she answered, sim
ply. 81 mlnd-AliX," she added,
, thoughtfully.
Yes l mind Alix.'' he admitted.
But the injury is done to Alix now"
Cherry said, slowly. Now it Is too late
TO go back! You and | coudn't-we
I couldn't deceive AliX 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 l could take this love of
ours away, leave everything else be-
| hind, simply-simply recognize" STAN
nered Cherry, her lips beginning to
tremble, that it is bigger than our
selves, that we can't help 1t, Peter
I'd fight it If could" she added. pite-
ously. "fd 90 away If I 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
brooding mountain. and in the valley
brimming with soft moonshine, and in
the garden.
81 believe that even Alix 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 it's rotten,' he broke
off in sudden despair, but what I'm
trying to say is that Alix, of all peo-
pie / 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 breathIessly:
"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. al
thought / wanted people-cities-l
thought / wanted to go on the stage
But 1t was only you l wanted. Oh
Peter, what life 1t will be! The lit
tlest cottage, the simplest life, ant
perhaps beach or woods to walk Ii
and always talking. reading, alway.
together. Isn't there some way W.
can get away. disappear as IL we hat
never been?"
, "Cherry!" he said, kneelIng befor,
; | her In the wet grass. "You know wha