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

Meanwhile Cherry, in the sick fiut-
ter OF spirits that had become familiar
10 her of late. kept her dentist ap-
poinrment, and NJ noon looked ut a
flushed and lovely vision IN the den
lists mirror.
She went out into the blazing street;
n was one Of the hot noontides of the
wear AT two o'clock a wild wind
would spring up and send papers and
dust flying. but just now the heat was
Dry and clear and still
she was carrying u parasol and shs
opened ii now and walked slowly TO
ward Geary street She could not even
frame In her thoughts the utter blank
ness of the feeling that swept over
her at missing an opportunity to see
Peter. She turned and weot slowly
up past the big shop wlndows that re
fected the burning Plaza, and so came
TO the cool. great doorway Of the s..
Francis. Inside was tempered light
and much .loIseless coming and going.
meeting and parting.
Cherry drifted Into the big, deep
carpeted waiting room; there We're
other women there, sunk into the Wig
leather chairs. watching the doors and
glanCiug at the clock. When a man
came hastily In the door. one woman
rose, there was a significant smile, "A
murmurcd greeting before the two
vanished.
In luxurious chair Cherry waited
Peter certainly would not come In un-
I'll haif-paSt twelve, perhaps not then.
Suddenly, with spring Of her heart
against her ribs, she saw Peters dark
head with its touches of iron grny.
Groomed and brushed scrIpUlously
as always. with the little limp. yet as
always dignifed and erect. he came to
stand before her. and she stood Un,
and their hands met. Flushed and
little confused she followed him to
an inconspicuous table in corner Of
the dining room. Then the dreamllke
nnreality and beauty Of their hours
together began again.
Did you expect me to meet ynu?"
she smiled. For answer he looked at
her thoughtfuIIy minute before his
own face lighted with a bright smile.
u don't think thought of your not
being there" he confessed. II was
simply moving all morning toward the
instant of meeting" He watched her,
almost with anxiety, for a moment,
then turned his attention to the bill
of fare. But Cherry was not hungry,
and she paid small attention to the
order. or to the food when 1t came.
Presently they were talking again,
In that hunger for self-analysis that
is part of new love They thrilled
at every word, Cherry raising her
eyes. shining with eagerness, TO his,
or Peter watching the little down
dropped face in an agony of alteration.
An hour passed, two hours. after
awhile they were walking, still with
that strange sense of oneness and of
solitude. and still az easily as If they
had been floating, to the ferry.
Alix met them in Mill Valley with
vivid accounts of the day; she had
been pondering the brief talk with
Anne. and was anxious to have Peters
view Of il. Peter was of the opinion
that Anne's conduct indicated very
clearly that she and Justin realized
that their case was lost.
'.Then you're fixed for life, Cherry"
was AliX's first remark. "Oh, say"
she added, in a burst. Let's 90 down
to the old house tomorrow. will you?
Let's see what it needs, and how much
would have to be done to make it tit
20 live inl'
Cherry flushed, staring steadily at
her sister, and Peter, too, was CON
fused, but AIix saw nothing. The
next day she carried her point, and
took them with her down to the Old
house. Cherry was pale and fighting
tears. as they crossed the porch, and
fitted the key in the door. Inside the
house the air was close and stale,
Odorous OF dry pine walls and of un-
aired rooms. Peter flung up window,
the girls walked aimlessly about,
through the familiar, yet shockingly
strange, chairs and tables that We're all
coated thickly with dust.
1T needs everything" Alix said,
after first quick tour of inspection,
eyeing a greater weather streak on
the raw plaster of the diningroom
waIl. 1T needs air, cleaning, straight
ening, flowers Gosh. how ii does
need peopleH
I'll cant bear lt.'' Cherry said
softly, in q sick undertone.
Alix. who was rapidly recovering
her equilibrium, sprang upstairs with
out hearing her, but Cherry did not
follow. She went to the open front
doorway and stood there. leaning
against the sill, and gazing sadly out
at the shabby. tangled garden that
had sheltered all the safety and joy
and Innocence of her littleg girl days.
"Peter." she said, as he came to
stand beside her, "I'm so unhappy! !"
Cherry. will you end it?" he asked
her. huskily.
She gave him n startled look.