The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1937-05-28

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~ would be the last person" Alan
hrok. n ito want you to do anything
against your wish or your better ludg-
nent.s His tone WAS grave. very deiiD-
srate.
Louise felt his eyes upon her. She
met them scuarely Was there double
meaning to his words2 She couldn't
tell. But another question irked as II
flashed cornet-lke through her mlnu.
Did Alan know or did he not know the
fun portent of Lees letter, and Just
what had Lee written to Alan7 She I
simply had to know.
Aunt Carrie" she said, "if you and
Philip will excuse us. want to show
Alan what an old-fashioned Southern
garden Is actually like on Spring night.
He has often tried TO imagine one. ne
says Would you like to check UP now2"
she addressed Alan abruptly.
"I certainly would--love It'll It win be
something to think about when ] ride
around acres and acres Of wheat and
alfalfa out Montana way--or among the
sagebrush.s
DUT Louise did not allow the scent OF
II lilac and hyacinth. heady and sweet
In the cooling breeze, or even the witch
cry of a Southern moon TO divert her
from the main purpose OF this little pill
grimage into the garden
Side by side and silently they passed
under the arch In the boxWood. Louise
heard Alan draw In his breath. then sigh
deeply. She sensed that the garden had
touched him profoundly. Even she. who
was used to its enchantment, felt un-
usually sensitive to its charm tonight.
1t was unutterably still Louise could
feel her own heart beating She loved
this man. She did, sha didi Way down
inside she had suspected it for many
weeks, but she had put the thought from
her without giving 1t = label.
ST felt her face burn under the cool
OF the night air as she said In an unac-
customed. high pitched voice: did Lee
tell you what he had written to nae2"
NO" said Alan soberly. But what
ever 1t was, 1t has changed YOU" Ha
looked down at her and Louise knew that
he wanted to see her face. Determinedly
she evaded that scrutiny. This after
noon," he went on then, Il thought you
were glad / had come even thought
that you liked me uttle. But appar-
entity was mistaken. Tonight you seem
annoyed at my very presence here. Ill
Just don't understand what you Did
Lee :" He broke off abruptly and stared
straight ahead,
Perhaps" said Louise. If you were to
tell me first what Lee wrote TO you 1t
would straighten matters out for both Of
us. This afternoon you said there were
two reasons why you came One was to
deliver the letter. just what was the
other onesa
That question: said Alan Dale Httls
gTinlly. would have been easter an-
swered when / first came. Your aloogs
ness tonight makes 1t pretty difficult
But I'll put 1t this way What Lee
guessed about my secret feelings made 1t
possible for me TO come to Norwood to tell
you what has been In my heart for many
months.
In Less last letter ha gave me his
blessing along with the suggestion or per-
mission, whichever way one cares to put
It. to state my case to you. know, and
Lee knew. that / fell In love with your
picture: with the things Lee told me
about you. You became my dream, my
IDEAL my hope. The thought and the
image Of you crept into my heart and
remained there. night and day.
When / saw you today" Alan went
on In voice rising now with obvious
passion. "it took all my self-control to
keep from telling you then. You were
more wonderful even than the dream
would be the happiest man in the world
II / could think had chance TO win
your love. But / guess it would have
been better for me II had been among
those over there-who won't come back.
Before ! go-very shortly now. would
you tell me one thing: just what changed
you from the girl met this afternoon?"
uF COT up abruptly and LOGGED down
a upon her bowed head and Louise
thought the humping OF her heart would
choke her. she felt delirious with a. newss.
born Joy. she jumped to her feet - - p
flung herself into Alans arms, blisSsM
her dark head on his broad shoulder.
ITS all right now.' she said in a n1uf
fed voice. II had to know how youN
really felt couldn't carry out Lees re-
quest without knowing where I stood
with you mean" She looked up and
met his happy. adoring eyes I wanted
no .lukewarm liking, for you see have
felt about you the way you say you feel
about me. Almost since your first letter.
I think"
Alan's eager, warm lips found hers.
Then presently he said But didn't Lee
tell you that loved yon?"
Only that he thought you did"
Alan's arms frightened about Louise'a
SOFT yielding waist as they walked slowly
back to the house. ''About the parade
tomorrow-shall march or not? I'll do
whatever you say?"
Please do! And I'll go down and be
proudly watching You go by. 1t will be d
hitting memorial to Lee.''
Just the way Lee would have wanted
It" Alan said Then he kissed her fra
grant, shining hair before they stepped
INTO the little pool of shadowed light