United States or Wallis and Futuna ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Peace on earth, good will to men! That is the ultimate. It was Christ's teaching.... You two give me greater faith.... Go now and face the world with heads erect whatever you do, Mel and however long you live, Daren. Who can tell what will happen? But time proves all things, and the blindness of people does not last forever.... You both belong to the Kingdom of God."
He told her flatly that she looked like a French grisette of the music halls, and ought to be ashamed to be seen in such attire. "Daren, I don't think you're a good judge of clothes these days," she observed, complacently. "The boys will say I look spiffy in this." So many times Lorna's trenchant remarks silenced Lane. She hit the nail on the head.
He thrust some money into her hands. "She seems pretty sick. Do all you can for her, be kind to her. I'll pay. I'm going for a doctor." He telephoned for Doctor Bronson. An hour later Lane, coming upstairs from his meal, met the physician at Rose's door. He looked strangely at Lane and shook his head. "Daren, how is it I find you here in this place?"
After that moment he changed subtly. "Is Daren Lane your friend?" he demanded. "Yes. The best and truest any girl ever had.... Dad, you know mother told you I had changed lately. I have. And it's through Daren." "Where'd you see him?" "He has been coming out to the house in the afternoons." "Well, I'm damned," muttered the Chief, and wheeled away.
And at that he did not know what to think. He was stunned. "Daren, you served a while under Captain Thesel in the war," she said. "Yes, I guess I did," replied Lane, with sombre memory resurging. "Do you know he lives here?" "I knew him here in Middleville several years before the war." "He's danced with me at the Armory. Some swell dancer!
"You will marry me," he said sternly. "Oh, Daren, I can't I dare not.... Ah! "You will go right now marry me to-night." "Please be kind, Daren.... I don't know how you " "Mel, where're your coat, and hat, and overshoes?" he questioned, urgently. "I told you no!" she flashed, passionately. Lane made good his threat, and this last onslaught left her spent and white.
Then Lane clasped her close, with a force too sudden to be gentle, and with his free hand he lifted her face. "Look here. Look at me," he said sternly. "Every time you say no or shake your head I'll do this." And he kissed her twice, as he had upon his entrance. Mel raised her head and gazed up at him, wide-eyed, open-mouthed, as if both appalled and enthralled. "Daren.
But if I could be your friend and could help you a little please you why it'd be good for me." "Daren, they tell me you're going to die," she returned, breathlessly. Her glance was brooding, dark, pregnant with purple fire. "Bessy, don't believe all you hear. I'm not not so far gone yet." "They say you're game, too." "I hope so, Bessy." "Oh, you make me think. You must believe me a pill.
"But you have to hand it to him for that stunt." Helen Wrapp preserved her sombre mood, silent and brooding. "Margie," went on Elinor, "there's a lot back of this. If Dare Lane could do that there must be some reason for it. Maybe we all needed a jolt. Well, we've got it. Let's stand by Daren. I will. Helen will. Floss will. You will. And surely Dal will."
Suddenly she burst out. "Daren you're well!... Oh, how glad I am! Holt, just look at him." "I'm looking, Bess. And if he's really Daren Lane, I'll eat him," responded Holt. "This is all I needed to make to-day the happiest day of my life," said Bessy, with serious sweetness. "This? Do you mean meeting me? I'm greatly flattered, Bessy," said Lane, with a smile.