The Wilmington morning star., 1940-04-06
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Cholly said with an effort:

S-AAA
Cholly said with an effort:
"Don't Dove. I can't bear it."
His great love was a revelation
to her. She knew he was telling the
truth. Dover Hayworth, the third,
was not just a rich man Fascinated
with a poor girl. He wanted to mar
ry her.
Her fear that he had been trifllng
with her, hoping to have a casual
affair, was gone. Dover would give
I'D his father, his mother and his
heritage 20 be her husband.
He laid his head over on her lap,
and she stroked his hair silently
She could feel his unhappiness, like
a great load on her own heart. AT
last Dove spoke again without NOV
ing:
do you know, Cholly, you are
the first girl l have ever asked to
marry me?"
I'm glad" she said simply.
He looked up questioningly:
why? If you're glad, then you
must care a little for me-"
She closed her eyes YEARLY.
I'm very fond of you, Dove. /
I'd miss you terribly If you went
away, or if you didn't come to see
me any more. But love? We must
not talk of love, Dove. Your world
and my world are so different
When he would have interrupted
her, she stopped him with a ges-
ture of Impotence.
ooh, I know what you're gong
to say-that if we love n another
enough, that's all that matters. But
your mother and father would hate
me, and sooner or later that would
interfere with our happiness.
my mother and seven brothers
and sisters would all have to be
taken care of. That's my job, Dove.
Not yours. My father has gone
away and we've no idea where
he is"
MY darling! And you're going
to try to shoulder all that alone.
Oh, Cholly, it kills me to think of
your Shaving your life away to take
care of all those people,
They belong to me-" Cholly said
in an old voice. "Ill have to help
Nom until the children are grown
up and old enough to take car of
themselves. What you have just
done-the chance you've just given
me, will make it much easier. A
hundred and twenty-five dollars a
week is a fortune to us. But you
shouldn't have tricked me into
signing the contract"
Dove raised his head and kissed
her tenderly:
Il was going completely crazy
worrying about you, darling! I had
to find a way. Your fool pride! 1t
isn't charity. You mustn't look at
it that way. You'll be earning your
money selling syrup. And think of
how much better I'll sleep nights"
She smiled mistily.
"Ill try to think of it that way"
Dove dropped his head to her lap
again.
"Cholly, if you'll tell me you
don't love anyone else 1 think it
will be much easier"
She said slowly, as though she
were trying to make sure:
"I-don't love-anyone else"
He sighed, relieved. Then he
raised his head and took her two
little hands and kissed them.
Il won't ask you to marry me
again. Maybe for a whole day or
two. But I'm not going to believe
you won't-some day."
Her eyes slowly filled with tears:
tYou're - so sweet, Dove. So
kind and good. Just be my good
friend and let things always be as
they are now"
He reached up and kissed her
fiercely.
You precious child! Do you
think I'm made of wood?"
Il wish you WERE" Cholly
laughed shakily. Il wonder where
Romany ISL"
Does she always run out and
leave you alone with your spon-
sors?" Dove grinned, running his
hand through his hair.
Invariably"
Cholly was relieved that Dove
apparently meant to change the
subject. 90. ia. a.
Dover raised her chin and looked
into her eyes. When Cholly dropped
her head, he said thickly:
81 love you! I'll always love you
And as long as I live therell never
be anyone but you. Whatever you
Dbl NJ GnIInm ~