Roanoke Rapids herald., 1923-12-07

picking thought
1t was 50 very strange about Dick
Repeatedly he assured her Of his
faithful and adoring love-Dick's ac-
lions, too, bore out his protestation-
In all but one particular-the paining
tormenting particular that was sad
dening Gerry's heretofore unclouded
days.
Dick lately had taken q decided
fancy for the companionship of q
fattle-headed, rather pretty young
woman who had come to be the guest
Of Mrs. Spaulding. An. Spauldine, q
mutual friend Of Geraldine and her
hance. had presented them both to
the monopolizing Miss Sidney Sails
Ever. since. it seemed to the aston
ished Gerry, she had met here and
there, by chance, her nance with Miss
Sails near by. Now It would be In the
street where Mrs. Spaulding lived /:
again In park path, or even In the
lobby Of the church they attended,
after service. Gerry had at first treat
ed the affair As a Joke, with Dick I:
then. at the more distressing Joking
Of her friends, she had reasoned with
him on the subject Dick first ap-
peared amused, then indignant, then
ab1ectly apologetic.
Il can't help 1t, Pal" he would say
| his pet name for 0eraldine-''the girl
Just seems to spring up where pass"
An irritatingly inadequate explanation
That Miss Sidney. the irresponsible.
had an evident admiration for the
good-loeking. good-natured Dick. was
beyond dispute. EvsA Dick. in his own
embarrassed modssty. was obliged to
admit the fact. When challenged. He
did not admit that Miss Sidney was
quite frank regardiAs her attachment
for this. another glR1's Acknowledged
lover.
The morning was fresh and sweet
recalling other charmed mornings
when she and Dick rode through 4
love-enchanted world together How
happily they had started upon these
early morning cantsrs-every turn Of
the way brought home poignantly
sweet memory Almost Gerry seemed
to smell the accustomed fragrance Of
his cigar-fragrant to her because II
seemed part Of Dicks presence
Tears coursed unheeded down the
girls pale cheeks-Dick, who could
have been 50 faithless. Yesterday she
had encountered him In this woodland
path with Sidney-his confused s1.
PLANTATION that he had met her there
Unexpectedly as he hurried BY the
short cut to Gsrry's home. Alwaya
always Sidney near: always his ex-
| cusing
Other eantertns steps came swiftly
behind. Gsrry's heart seemed for the
moment to cease beating. Surely this,
the familiar sound Of Brown Bettiss
hoofs in chase. Dick thea, too, had
arisen early to ride thPsugA the WOOD.
before business tesk him to town
Gerry's heart ssicksaed to painful
apprehenMoR-wsuld Sidney be beside
him! Dick was rcinS after her-rac-
ing, NO doubt, with some futile. foolish
excuse regarding that last affair with
Miss Sidney.
Gssrys indigsatiea eams On afrssh
with his aearness. She would give
! him q chase fer his paiAs Roses
rushed to her pals cheeks, crimson
now like the roadside foliage. Freely
she gave Major the rein. sxeitsdiy urg-
ing-the other horse cane "a, pant
ing behind. Then thsss was the tan
glsd brush that o3ttimes caught q
horses foot. Gerry remembered II,
Dick might not; she slowed down at
the turn. Major had cleared the trap
like brush daintily. Brswn Betty had
ceased in her mad rush there was no
sound Of caAtsring feet behind Breath.
lessly Gerry waited. She did not wish
to turn back to face Dick IN her anxiety
If he should be safe and unharnsd,
should she haunt her tender lsvs for
him7 The hoofbsats cane On again ;
she drew 4 breath Of vast relief
then the roses left Gsrry's cheeks, to q
deepened pallor-Brown Betty was
dragging her mount-riderless. Ths
horse stopped obediently alongside.
Gerry dismounted, fastened the horses
together. went slowly, gropingly around
the turn. No sound, no welcoming
voice to direct her Silence. Then
Major called wonderingly. Brown
Betty echoing the complaint. Gerry
stood still In the woodland path;
there. near the tangled brush, lay
mans huddled hgure. She knew well
the gray tweed coat-knew the dark
head Graded sA outstrstcheA arms.
He was very still as she bent over him
and raised the bowed head In her own
protecting arms. His dark eyes looked
up at her. widened. Darling! Oar
ling!" whispered Gerry. tell me that
you are not suffering" The big body
lay motionless in her embrace. Then
Dick turned to kiss the small min
istering hands. Suffering" re-
marked very reassuring voice. II
should say not For the nrst time in
months l am absolutely happy. When
saw that ysu were still determined
to avoid me, Pal, just sort Of got dis
couraged and slipped dswn here to
think things ever. Guess Brown Betty
must have taken her swA way"
Darly morning is very sweet N
woodland way. Love understood Is
very sweet. too. The lovers fingered.
But" said Gerry, II shall never see
a dragging mount agail without q
chill Of recollection Of what might
have