Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1895-04-06
Ten Minutes TO Twelve.
By M. G. MCLELLAND.

that he had been held back from telling
the story to Phyllis by other considera-
lions than fear of her anger. She would
understand that, too, of the past But
now that she was better, now that the
cure was we'll nigh complete, continued
silence would be open to miscOnstruction.
He had sent his horse to the stable an
hour before by the ubiquitous boy who
haunts street corners, and instead OF
going home he turned aside from the
main street and walked over to a new
portion of the city building out on the
hills. Here the electric lights were fewer
and the streets less frequented. On every
hand tasteful cottages already stood in
pretty yards or were in process of cree
ton. These were homes for men whose
desires and incomes were both moderate.
Royal sauntere along until he reached
a corner lot ON which stood Queen
Anne cottage, newly finished, and as
fresh and clean as rain washed grass.
The little yard had been leveled and
turfed, and was inclosed by an iron rail
ing. and two small cottonwOods had
been planted near the little porch Royal
opened the gate and entered with the
air of a proprietor. 1t was his own, the
nest he had built for his Virginia mock
ing bird, and to which he hoped to
proudly bring her when all things should
be Strengthened out between them.
The erection and furnishing of the
little home had filled the months for
him and helped him over the disappoint-
ment of not going east in the spring, as
he had intended. The settlement of the
estate had been perfOrce postponed
owing to the serious illness Of the exec
utor, which incapacitated him for bust
ness. He would not have allowed that
to interfere with his plans, however, but
Mrs. Hart had written advising him to
delay his coming until she should give
the word, for Phyllis would prefer that
he should not join her until she should
be permanently released from dark
ened room and quite herself again.
1t had been worded very delicately,
and the letter had been monument to
Mrs. Harris tact and diplomacy; but to
Royal it had seemed singular and had
hurt him not little. His wife did not
want him, that was evident, and he had
obeyed, feeling at disadvantage, but
too proud to thrust himself Upon her.
He had in measure lost sight of John
Royals part in the affair, and had come
to regard it as pertaining only to Phyllis
and himself.
He took key from his pocket, entered
the house, and turned on the lights,
passing from room to room. 1t was
tastefully furnished, for his sister had
helped him, testing slyly the while about
his obvious intention. He had told her
of his love for a woman in the east, and
she, knowing little, imagined much, and
considered the whole affair as settled.
She entered into the house plans with
enthusiasm, and impaired to her hus-
band, in the sacredness of conjugal con-
fdence and sworn secrecy, that she be-
lieved, she truly did, that Hart would
be married within the year.
One little room, opening out from the
chamber and intended for his wife's spe-
cial sanctum, Royal had fitted up him
self, remembering faithfully all the
things he had ever heard Phyllis say she
liked, and arranging them for her with
his own hands. He went straight to this
room now, and fo~ many moments stood
and looked about, trying to imagine the
change it would make when she should
be sitting in the low chair by the open
fireplace, which he had put in to remind
her of Virginia, or resting on the sofa,
which he was sure must stand just at
the angle to please her, with the light of
the window shaded from her eyes and a
tiny table near for books or work bas-
in a sacred place, ana thought loving,
reverent, loyal thoughts, as became a
true man. He would not sit down nor
take liberties with the place-although
she had never entered it. In his mind it
was her sanctuary, with which he had
nothing to do until she herself should
make him welcome.
He went ou5 presently, shutting the
door gently, as though afraid of disturb
ing some one. Then he turned off the
lights, locked the door, said word to
the Waterman of the square, who was
outside awaiting developments, and be-
took himself home to his sisters house.
AS he opened the door his ears were
assailed with the sound of lamentation,
and he discovered his youngest niece
prone on her face on the hall floor. He
picked her up and comforted her The
baby put her arms around his neck and
nestled her wet cheek against his. AS
she did so letter slipped from her apron
and fell at his feet.
Whats this, Daisy?" he questioned,
STOPPING for the letter and seeking to
divert her attention.
"ZOO letLy" SObhed the little one.