Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1895-03-16
Ten Minutes to Twelve.
By NJ. G. MCLELLAND.

His words were light, but they over
lay considerable emotion. He was CRATE
full to her with a gratitude beyond eX-
preston for her sympathetic compre-
henSion.
Something more satisfactory than
endless psalmody or aerial progression,
hope" she smiled. "Nocliing at those
in sore straits and grievously tormented
| hold to be my mission. Seriously.
though | am sorry for you-truly sorry.
But after ali, John, it isn't you that mat.
ters SO much. The situation is and will
be much harder on Phyllis. You did it,
you know. When there is a smash VI
the man who holds the reins and does
the breaking gets the most comfort out
of the affair"
The mention of his cousins name
caused Royals face to soften, and he let
the blood relation frankness of his com.
panion's speech pass His intercourse
with Phyllis, restricted as it had neces-
sarily been, had awakened within him a
tender, chivalrous devotion, touched and
materialized by admiration and sense
of personal possession. Her acceptance
of and absolute trust in him, her sweet
ness, patience and courage, won on him
day by day. His professional instinct
prevented him from feeling any of that
Intangible, egOtistic shrinking from af
IiictiOn inherent in SO many men, and
the hopefulness of her case caused it tC
present no bar to her attractiveness.
Then, too, it is probable that the con.
sciousness that she was his wife-nC
matter how she had become sO-stirred
and influenced his emotions more deeply
than he was himself aware.
He was very considerable and gentle
with her. having always in mind that
time Of disclosure which must surely
come. He had taken no advantage Of
the situation, and he intended to take
none Probably his unconscious manli-
ness explained the readiness with which
Mrs Hart had constituted herself his
ally. Her own instincts in regard tc
her sex were tender and protective.
What are you going to do:"
She had risen, for from the room across
the hall there came to her ear the sound
of soft music. The blind girl had found
her way to the piano, and was cheering
her darkness III the manner she loved
best. They had left her long enough
alone.
Royal squared himself.
1T would make II pretty case" he
observed impersonally. The lawyers
told me so. That ten minutes to 12-
time of the death and the ceremony
"a De ant
The 'shake-bag' fellows would flock to il
like hogs to the call of corn. But I'm
going to give them the go-by, divorce
courts and all. shall stand to my mar
rage"
And the money!
Royals thought consigned the money
to the halls of Eblis with emphasis and
dispatch his speech was more circum-
spect:
The money has done harm enough.
1t has been the active agent i'll the i'm
broglio. Well let that part of the bust
ness mellow for while. John Royals
legacy is of vastly more Importance than
his aunts."
The expression of Mrs. Harris face as
she quilted the room was like spring
weather, a conflict between sunshine and
shower. She managed, however, to cast
Jest back at him over her shoulder:
I'm the division therell perhaps be
enough to buy ring for Phyllis-by
putting two parts together. My own
share shall be devoted to defraying the
expenses for making my will according
10 the Royal prerogative."