Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1933-08-30

names. Her brain whirled. She
felt determined to prove TO herself
that she was married TO Rocky. FL.
l.. V.-R. ID. 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 1t always as Rocky's
present to her. She had remem-
bered that there was d V and had
taken 1t for granted that they were
Rocky's initials. Now she accused
herself guiltily. She had wanted to
think herself married to Rocky.
And whyY Why, in heavens name
why? She asked herself excitedly.
A man she had never seen. A man
she might not ever like.
There were several reasons. First.
IL she we're 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 moi 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. | feel well enough to
get up"
"No, no. Not yet. Do not get
excited, Doris." she repea,ed.
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.
Il have for yot a surprise" SAID
Mrs. Du Val.
THAT ought to make me feel quite
WE'LL" said Doris, trying tc be ami
able, and to look cheerfully expect
ant.
She knew that this wasn't true.
She could hardly bear to think Of
something new happening. Things
were complicated enough. Yet she
felt that she must know. What if
But Mrs. Du Val was shaking mel
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 e my boy Rocky" she said ten
DERBY, "that was all | meant to tell
you. have heard from him"
All the color seemed to have been
lifted out of Doris face. Some
thing ~sickening stirred within her.
Speechlessly, she looked at Mrs. Du
Val.
"Ah, 1t shocks you. But he loves
you" Mrs. Du Vars firm cheek
was against her hair. do not
worry so-he is your husband. He
loves you"
Some time after Mrs. Du Val had
gone Doris lay there without stir
ring. She had closed her eyes. And
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. 1t 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.
Estelle appeared, a prim conster-
nation In her eyes. "You are not
up. Madam" she said reproach-
fully.
YES" Doris words came in jerks.
Il was afraid, tell me, when, how
soon does Mr.. Rocky get here?"
"Not until this evening. But you
are tired" She took Doris by the arm.
This EVENING" DO you mean hen
be out herein this nouse-thls
EVENING""
"Yes, Madam. You did not under
stand?" Estelle looked sympathetic
but not alarmed.
NO" Doris, GREATNESS for a min
ute, sat down at the foot of the bed.
Il didn't understand. When did
he she fastened gradually awak-
enlng eyes on the maid, will you
bring memo, never mind, thank
you. That will be all. But, Els
telle," she called after her q mo
ment later, IF you please, don't