Page:Arthur Stringer - Twin Tales.djvu/197

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
ARE ALL MEN ALIKE
187

fell to pondering the reason for a resultant small writhe of his body. She leaned closer over his face, assuring herself that he was still breathing.

Then she stooped still lower. She slipped an arm in under his head and held his dusty cheek against hers. And then she kissed him.

She kissed him grimly, determinedly, abandonedly, saying "Oh, Gerry!" in foolish little gasps and not bothering to wipe away the tear that was running down her nose.

Then she sat back, with his head still in her arms, for his eyes were open and gazing up into her face.

"How dare you do that?" demanded Gerry, in a voice singularly steady for one so recently emerging from unconsciousness.

"Oh, Gerry!" repeated Teddie, hugging him tight. And she kissed him again, out of sheer relief at finding him still anchored to the same muddled-up old world with her.

"You'll have to marry me for this, re-