The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1933-08-31
CHAPTER III-Continued

T
And why7 Why. In heavens name
why7 She asked herself excltedly. A
man she had never seen. A man she
might not even like.
There were several reasons. First,
II she were married to Rocky she
couldn't be married to the man In the
cab. Second, she liked Rocky's people.
And third7 Well third, she must have
allowed herself to grow quite senti-
mental and silly over Rocky's picture.
She was half way In love with him.
And there was no use denying That.
So she whipped her tired brain, ac-
cused herself guiltily hour after hour.
How mnny days passed In this way
she did not know. but one morning
when she was beginning to feel better
physically II not mentally, she became
conscious of great excitement seething
beyond her room. There was bHstling
and banging of doors In the hallway.
Mrs. Du Val came hurrying In. Her
small eyes were dancing with Joy be-
hind her round glasses.
you must not excite yourself.
Doris" she exclaimed. .sYeu are feel
Ing almost well, are you not dear
Doris?n +
"Oh yes. | feel well enough to
get up"
mo, no. Not yet. DO not get ex-
cited, Doris she repeated.
Mrs Du Val sat herself down In a
chair and watched Doris eat her break
fast. Evidently she was bursting with
news which she was longing to tell
Doris.
Il have for you SURPRISE" said
Mrs. On Val.
THAT ought to make me feel quite
WELL" said Doris, trying to be amiable,
and to look cheerfully expectant
She knew that this wasn't true. She
could hardly bear to think OF some
thing new happening. Things were COM
plicated 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 affectionately,
kissed her warm brow.
Some day soon, you must prepare
to see 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 Something
sickening stirred within her. Her
voice was buried beneath a pile OF
despaIring thoughts. Speechlessly, she
looked at Mrs. Du Val
"Ah, 1t shocks you. But he loves
you Mrs. Du Val's firm cheek was
against her hair. "Do not worry So
he is your husband. He loves you"
Some time after Mrs. Du Val hat
gone, Doris lay there without stirring
She had closed her eyes, And Mrs
Du Val, full Of kind dlscernment, ha,
left her. In all this maze Of worry
nothing quite as stupendous as thi
had happened.
The man she was supposed to b
married to-a man she had never seel
was on his way to her now
she sat UP suddenly. Mrs. Du Va
had not told her everything Tha
change which had come over Mrs. ID
Val's face when she first spoke Of tn
surprise. 1t meant something. I
meant that she feared Doris was nc
well enough to hear 1.-THE Who'll
truth. She slipped her feet into he
mules and got to the door, her hear
beating with suppressed vehemence.
"Estelle," she called softly down TIL
hall, TO the maid.
Estelle appeared, a prlm consternI
ton In her eyes. you are not IL
MADAME" she said reproachfully.4
"Yes," Doris words came In jerk
II was afraid, tell me when, how SOC
does Mr. Rocky get herel'
Not until this evening. But you a
tired" She took Doris by the arm.
sThIs EVENING" DO you mean he
be out herein this house--this CIV
sing7"
Eyes, Madam. You did not unde