Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1935-07-26
CHAPTER 2


waist. 81 hope nothin's gone wrong,
she murmured, looking up at the man
in scarlet, " cause I can hardly wait
TO- our wedding next month. My, but
We'll have a good time! Auntie says
tomorrow can go down town an pick
out some pretty pretties."
"That's NICE" murmured Peter mis-
erably. Savagely he tried, but could
not force himself to break the terrible
devastating news.
"And Pm going to get some awful
pretty ones" Cara prattled gaily on.
81 reckon know what you boys like"
she asserted with pert cock of her
head,-"lots of ribbons and frilly
things. Now, don't you?" The great
autumnal eyes swept Peters face, then
Cara's rosebud mouth dropped little,
"Why, honey aren't you interested?
Sho' now-I'm a selfish little fool
something's wrong-let me help yo'
Peter-it-it's my job"
"Cara!" Peters tanned aquiline face
looked very drawn above the glisten-
ing white collar. "Cara," he said,
81 really don't feel as though I could
face a dance"
The smile vanished from the girls
laughing face and she became sudden
ly very still and attentive. "Why,
Peter" she protested, "but I've had
my heart set on goin' to this dance
for weeks and weeks. got this dress
specially"
"Well 60 then, DEAR" Peter WINGED,
and looked fixedly into the empty fire
place. How could he tell her? How
could he touch off the mine beneath
their patiently reared castle of dreams
81 didn't really mean it, but you look
so very lovely just wanted to be sell
fish and keep you all to myself"
Bravely he tried to avoid the tragic
note, but Cara was now looking stead
lily at him-her brown eyes intent, al
most frightened-yes, that was it,
frightened.
81 don't know what's happened,
Peter" she cried breathlessly, "but I
think you'd better tell me-I'm not
very brave-and-and," her face went
little pale. give so wanted things
to go right hoped and prayed they
would-so much.
Peter Houghton steadied himself on
the mantel piece, his tall figure drawn
erect, and miserable expression in
his bloodshot, gray eyes. Cara, you,
you don't deserve this unhappiness
but I've got to tell you that we
that can't offer you what-what I'd
hoped"
Quivering inwardly he watched the
small oval of Cara's face pale still
more. Into her eyes crept bewilder-
ed stricken look, one hand was extend
ed incredulously as she drew back a
step. ooh, Peter, Peter! Yo' don't
mean to tell me that you lost the con-
tract?" Her lips stiffened, then trem-
bled as she read the truth. ooh, it
isn't true" she walled, cit just can't
be! Oh Peter-our poor little we'd
din' An we've waited so long" Pas
sionately her white arms encircled the
scarlet coat and she chung to him.
ooh, and 1 wanted you so, Pete dar-
lin'-I-I can't bear the thought of
losin' you-for-for while more"
She chung fiercely to him while he
awkwardly stroked her cleaning black
curls and tasted the dregs of Bitter
ness Cup.
easy on, dearest" he whispered.
It'll all come out right some time.
We can be married quietly. Why
Cara, darling, saw the incest little
cottage in Stoneleigh the other day.
You'd look awfully sweet in that lit
tie house."
ooh, Peter?" Cara's sobs increased
"That's just It'll love you so much
just couldn't go round lookin' like
a frump-I-Ive cooked and washed
dishes and mended stockin's all my
life. IL just can't go on that way.
Oh, honey, it isn't that don't love
you. l do-terribly, but-but do so
love nice things-comforts I've never
had. No-I'd rather wait It'll we've
enough"
Cara, her slim shoulders heaving,
began crying quietly, then sank on
to chair subconsciously and holding
her head away lest tears spot the new
dress, buried her face in her handker-
chief while poor Peter stood in a mis-
cradle daze in the center of the floor.
Murmuring hundred little endear-
ments, he dropped on his knees beside
his fiancee, awkwardly stroking the
glossy curls, wildly promising that if