Page:Keeping the Peace.pdf/303

 "Maybe. I think so. But I'm going to die."

"No, you're not." He took one of her hands and held it in both his.

"I'm only sorry for mother and father," she said.

"Think that you'll get well and you will."

"Don't let's argue, Eddie. Hold my hand tight. When you went away I was hurt. And I guess I did everything I've done out of spite . . . I never really liked anybody but you, and when I thought you didn't care . . ."

"I did care. I do care. It was always you. I've made a mess of things too."

"You don't really love that girl in Paris, do you? Say you don't, anyway."

At that moment he didn't love Anne. He said: "I never loved anybody but you."

He leaned forward and cuddled his cheek against hers. With her free hand she caressed his hair.

"Now I can go to sleep," she said, "without any danger of bad dreams. Everything's all right now." A minute later she said: "I'd give anything if we could just stay like this till the finish, but father and mother would feel so horribly hurt and jealous. Will you please tell them to come, darling? . . . Kiss me good-bye first."

She held up her pretty mouth and he kissed it