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finally went to Audie and questioned her. She said that she'd let me
in on the big secret, if I'd keep it to myself until we could talk about
it together. I said ... "

"Oh, Mike, Audie kept insisting that she hadn't told a soul. Oh,
why did she tell you of all people? I'm so ashamed! I knew what
you'd think, and that's why I called it quits before it was too late."

"But don't you see, even then it was too late for me. I couldn't
change the way I felt about you even after thinking the situation
through from every angle. No matter what your past was, this is, your
present, and I'm included!"

Cindy was stunned, momentarily she was unable to believe that
Audie had betrayed her confidence. Overwhelmed by the impact of
Mike's words, she turned her head from the telephone poles, and with
her eyes full of tears, she buried her face in Mike's arm. It was im-
possible, she felt as though it were all only a dream, and that in a
moment she would awake and find herself back in her room.

"Sit up here a minute, Cindy, listen to me. If we both want things
to work out all right, all we can do is to try. Avoiding a problem is
no solution, and that's all you've been doing. Together we might be
able to overcome it."

"Oh, Mike, you don't know how much I want everything to work.
But there are so many obstacles-so many things that you haven't
considered."

"I know that there will be struggles for both of us, and that some-
thing may spoil it even yet. But if you're willing to let me share your
unhappiness, maybe things could work out."

With renewed strength, Cindy moved closer to Mike and looked
up into the deep brown eyes again. She wasn't sure, but she thought
that she detected tears there also. Was it possible that Mike had real-
ly accepted her? Could it be that she too would find the satisfaction
and happiness in life that she had always longed for? She couldn't
smile even yet; she mustn't grow too sure of success, because if she be-
came overly-confident, she might lose what had already cost her so
much.

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