Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1906-08-10
LOVE OF MRS. FERRIS
by ErHELYN LESLIE HOUSTON.

AAhAhOA oVit VI GDiVuvif ttNrl
copyrighted by The Daily Story Pub. Coz
you are a peculiar woman" Mr.. Dacre
said, refiectively His hostess leaned for
ward and placed little scarlet devil ash
receiver in close proximity to his cigar,
then twisted her 1.-the body comfortably
among the cushions OF a long, low chair
that was her especial weakness
"You were saying" she murmured, laz-
lily. "Oh, yes; am, no doubt But in
what does my popularity make itself par
ticularly worthy OF comment just now?'
Mrs. Berriss had large, shadowy eyes that
were either green or yellow or gray, her
friends were never sure which. She now
stared through the thin haze OF perfumed
smoke that drifted from his cigar around
her bronze head, and added gratuitously
"You are rather nice looking when you are
smoking, don't you know You look quite
amiable"
"By which, the natural inference would
be that usually appear
apoleonic-yes. cheerfully "He was
always Sowing, you know. quite wonder
how Josephine could ever have loved him
as she did"
Mr. Dacre's strong white teeth closed
down on his cigar, which promptly as
sumed an angle OF i5 degrees. He took it
from between bis lips and regarded 1t
gloomily as he rolled 1t between MS fingers.
"There-now, you are lemperor,' Mrs,
Ferriss remarked, resting her two elbows
on the broad arm OF her chair and her
chin on her palms.
when that sword-cut between your
eyebrows sinks deep the way it does now,
all you need is to pull some OF your hair
down over your forehead. This way"
"Nive lEmpereur!" she said, salutius
gravely. You are rather tall for the lit.
tie corporal, but otherwise you are he to
the life
Il thank you"
Mr. Dacre lighted fresh cigar, while
Ms. Ferri.s put two more cushions in her
big chair and then seated herself Care
fully stuihng one Of the cushions to fit the
small ot her back, she sig ed yontentedly.
81 am at peace with an tIe world. The
Leader has accepted two OF my stories and
my rent is paid up to last month--whch
is quite as much as any wc.l.rcgl'2tcd
landlord should expect Had he not ,leu
so amenahle 10 reason, should have
bought new gown and had the rent thrr,
months behind But believe in encourag.
ing good behavior, and he seemed duly
grateful
Mr. Dacre leaned forward and looked at
her searchingly.
Are you actually that much in debt
Mary" be asked.
That much in debit Only two months
Prithe, monsigueur. have you been a
slave OF the quill for % years to find them
mi'lionaires' | was six months behind in
AprilH
And she settled her head back among
the cushions with an air OF conscious rec.
titude
Why don't you marry Harland" he
asked slowly, after moment. "He could
give YOU wealth, luxury, release from TIN.
'demnition grind' And he is good looking
and no fool"
M yes murmured Mrs. FERRIS.
thoughtfully. HE could do, aad u, all
that. And perhaps"
"WellN said Dacre, sharply.
"Dear me, you quite made me jump"
very plaintiyely
Yes, | know-l am always doing or say.
Ing something, You once .aid that II you
married me, would break your heart
He threw his cigar into the frs and stared
at the flames moodily.
"Ye'-but ! tSink added tha, you would
not bore me Which is the greater Of the
two evils s'c 'sid comfortably but
you did not tell me wherein | was pc
eullar woman At this particular time
lie looked at her iutently for moment
We'll, | cannot altogether understand
you. HIS voice sounded dull and weary
Mrs, ferriss frowned Tfrn rciting up
from her cushions she began 10 ,ace the