The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1933-09-21

must be some way that b. L. ".
could be Rocky's initials. Some
times peoples initials were quite diff
ferent from what you thought they
would be, people who went by nick
names. Her brain whirled. She
felt determined to prove to herself
that she was married to Rocky. FL.
L. V.-R. D. v. There seemed no
escape from those awful initials.
Why hadn't she thought Of this
before? She had often gone to sleep
with her fingers on the small circle,
thinking of it always as Rocky's
present to her. She had remem-
bered that there was a v and had
taken it for granted that they were
Rocky's initials. Now she accused
herself guiltily. She had wanted to
think herself married to Rocky.
And why? Why, in heavens name
why? She asked herself excitedly.
A man she had never seen. A man
she might not even like.
There were several reasons. First.
If she were married to Rocky she
couldn't be married to the man in
the cab. Second, she liked Rocky's
people. And third? Well. she must
have allowed herself to grow quite
sentimental and silly over Rocky's
picture. She was half way In love
with him. And there was no use
denying that.
How many days passed in this
way she did not know, but one morn
ing when she was beginning to feel
better physically if not mentally,
she became conscious of great ex-
element seething beyond her room.
There was bustling and banging of
doors in the hallway. Mrs. Du Val
came hurrying in. Her small eyes
were dancing with joy behind her
round glasses.
"You must not excite yourself,
Doris" she exclaimed. You are
feeling almost well, are you not.
dear Doris?"
"oh, yes. I feel well enough to
get up"
mo, no. Not yet. Do not get
excited, Doris" she repea'ei.
Mrs. Du Val sat herself down In
a chair and watched Doris eat her
breakfast. Evidently she was burst
ing with news which she was long
ing to tell Doris. -
II have for you a SURPRISE" said
Mrs. Du Val. III,
THAT ought to make me feel quite
WELL" said Doris. trying to be ami
able, and to look cheerfully expect
ant. s ,ez,s
She knew that this wasn't true.
She could hardly bear to think If
something new happening. Things
were complicated enough. Yet, she
felt that she must know. What If
But Mrs. Du Val was shaking her
head She had made up her mind
about something. She came close
to Doris. bent over her affection
ately, kissed her warm brow.
"Some day soon, you must prepare
to see my boy Rocky" she said ten
derly, "that was all l meant to tell
you. l have heard from him."
|. All the color seemed to have been
lifted out of Doris face. Some
thing sickening stirred within het.
Speechlessly. she looked at Mrs. Du
Val.
"Ah, 1T shocks you. But he loves
you" Mrs. Du Walls firm cheek
was against her hair. do not
worry so-he is your husband. He
loves you"
Z Some time after Mrs. Du Val had
gone Doris lay there without STIR
ring. She had closed her eyes. Aud
Mrs. Du Val, full of kind discern.
ment, had left her. In all this
maze of worry, nothing quite as stu.
pendous as this had happened.
The man she was supposed to be
married to-a man she had never
seen-was on his way to her now.
She sat up suddenly. Mrs. Du Val
had not told her everything. That
change which had come over Mrs.
Du Vars face when she first spoke
of the surprise. It meant something.
1t meant that she feared Doris was
not well enough to hear 1.-THE
whole truth. She slipped her feet
into her mules and got to the door,
her heart beating with suppressed
vehemence. --
"Estelle," she called softly down
the hall, to the maid. ---.sr#s
Estelle appeared, prim conster-
nation in her eyes. "You are not
up, MADAME" she said reproach-
fully. .4.... ~
YES" Doris words came in jerks.
Il was afraid, tell me, when. how
soon does Mr.. Rocky get here?' .
mot until this evening. But you
are tired" She took Doris by the arm.
This evening? Do you mean he'll
be out herein this nouse-this
EVENING""
Yes, Madam. You did not under
stand?" Estelle looked sympathetic
but not alarmed.