Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1933-03-10

ne had the tune over again he knew
he would do the same thing.
And now Barbara was going
back to Douglas Stark! Why, in
Gods name? He shut his eyes and
tried to picture her face-the face
he had loved. Did he still love her,
or had he never loved her? Or was
it possible for a man to love two
women at the same time? Did she
love him? If SO, why had she told
him the truth about Barnet and
SO sent him away?
Tea will be ready Directly she
said. She sat down on the rug at
his feet and snuggled up against
him.
Happy to be home?"
"Wonderful." She took his hand
and kissed it, and Dennis hated
himself because the sudden
thought came to him hat if he had
been here with Barbara-he would
have kissed her hands-her beauti-
full hands. -.
II want to tell you something,
Dennis, darling"
what is it? Are you in debt?
Can't pay the butcher or some
thing?"
She pretended to be offended.
How dare you? I'm a wonderful
housekeeper."
$50 you are" He kissed her and
leaned back again. Don't strangle
me, my child-what is it,"
But she hid her face against his
coat while she told him by asking
a little question that wavered be-
tween happy tears and happier
laughter.
"Dennis-would you like to
nave a SON!
1t was some time later over the
tea and hot toast that Dennis said
This wonderful I ecret-does
your mother know"
mot yet-only you,. darling
and Barbara"
Barbara" The blood rushed to
his face. "What made you tell
herr"
And Pauline answered happily:
Because she is my best friend and
because 1 love her."
There was a little silence then
Pauline said "But I'm sorry about
one thihg,'
What is*hat, Tuppenny?"
sBarbarapaid in her letter.
Don't askfme to be godmother--
I'm not he right sort to bring
up a child in the way it should 60
Pm sorry about that, because |
know she'd bring him up most
beautifully, bless her"
"Him?" said Dennis with rails
ed eyebrows and a very softened
look in his eyes.
"Of course it will be a him.
Pauline said dreamily. And
should like him to be just like you.
Of course, if it is a girl I shall call
her Barbara whether she'll be god
mother or not"
"Oh, 1 shouldn't do that" Den
mis- said hurriedly.
"But why not? It's a lovely
name"
Yes, it was a lovely name. Once
for a little while of madness it hac
been the most beautiful name Ii
the world to Dennis O'Hara, but
now
"Pray God l never see her again
was his passionate thought as hi
sat there so still in the freight
and listened to his wife's chatter.
1t was after tea, when Pauline
was busting about the house that
Dennis got up from his chair anc
went over to the mantclplecs
where Barbara's queer wedding pre-
sent stood. Somehow it had never
meant very much to him until now
|-hehad been rather impatient Of
its obvious sentiment-but tonigh,
it seemed to appeal to him almost
as if it had been a message from
Barbara herself.
"Love locked out"
What had she intended it for-
for him?-for herself-or just fo,
nothing at all?
/ He turned away i%mpatiently.
Why had it been allowed that he
should love her-and where would
they have drifted but for Barnet:
The dream was ended. He was a
married man with a wife who
adored him-and perhaps soon the
nursery of which he knew Pauline
had dreamed so many dreams would
be a reality. A son of his own.