Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-18

Morton" he said to the maid, as the butler swung
open the heavy door, show Mrs. Cromwell to her apart
ments."
A sharp effort of will brought back her sefposses-
sion; her exquisite apartments claimed her interest She
knew that there had been only since noon of the pre-
vious day in which to convert bachelor apartment into
the dainty feminine boudor prepared for her. yet moth
ing in the place conveyed the slightest impression of
Her own things were laid out as if she had
but just quilted the
Stella looked about her curously. She passed into
the adjoining room. Her eyes examined tendery ths
homelike, familiar things. Here school portrait
of Gilbert and three other boys in rowing costumes
how chubby and jolly and serious the boyish faces
looked There was a hunting pastel photograph of
university eight in the foreground of which she recog
nized Gilbert Farther on there was photograph crap OF
there little things of her arranged that day by
her maid; amongst them scattered trfes of his
cups, trophies ornaments. The place seemed hers al
ready; she felt strangeness there and yet-how alb
solutely it his!
Again the bewlderng rush of emotion swept through
her She continued her slow inspection Presently she
came upon little acove lighted by a mullioned win
dow and there, though enthroned exquisitely
framed photograph of herself taken the year before In
front of it. in way that suggested votive offering
stood vase of roses
She choked back Sob The kind thoughtfulness of
the man. displayed in every detai touched her deeply
She looked again at her picture and wondered if Gil
bert had always placed flowers there; some subtle in
of her had always been of his-hs to love and
chersh-as he had sworn that very day to do And
that she his welded wife she had suddenly be-
less his than ever beforei
quick, fierce jealousy of the girl in the picture
suddenly within her, Tor the moment She was ned with
wild impulse to snatch up and fling it through the
window.
She called her maid.
Norton, she said pointing to the photograph, IS
that old gown among my things?
Yes, miss-I mean madam"
Stella flushed.
Make me look as much like that photograph as you
can" she said-"hair, gown, jewels-everything p"
Gilbert leaned back in his great eathern armchair
holding his knee round case, stained with
age and frayed about the edges. He was looking at it
medtativey when his ear caught rustic behind him
and he
Stella was standing in the doorway and as Giberts
eyes fell upon her he caught his breath quickly The
girls checks rosy, her dark-gray eyes bright
and there was faint half-frghtened smile upon her
mouth.
portrait had stepped down from her frame"
Stella flushed and without answering took the chair
which he drew for her. Gilbert standing at her ell
bow opened the leather and took from it rope
OF pearls. ....-,.Y. IL mr,.,. ,..
A flood of color swept into Stelas face Her eyes
filed; she tried to speak, then turned away her head:
Gilbert stepped to her side leaned down and casped
the lustrous jewels about her white neck, His hand
brushed the girls hair, and remor ran through her
1t is cold for you here, said Gilbert seating him
self on the other side of the hearth My habits
those of polar bear.
Il am used to the cold" murmured Stella II like it"
al have ordered dinner at eight" Gilbert went on
calmly Is not that too long for you to waltz Wouldn't
you like to have bite now? 1t is yet quite seven"
Il am not hungry thank you" Stella answered. She
stared into the flames with humid eyes. His thought
fitness touched her. but she found her mind going back
ped the desire to know if he had ALWAYS kept them there
The wish for this knowledge became imperative.
She turned to Gilbert; the warm, ruddy light OF the
fire reflected from her face and neck and shoulders
Tell me" she said, " have you always kept flowers
in front of my picture5
Gilbert looked embarrassed. Stella, watching him
closely recognized the conscious, chubbyfaced boy of
the college pictures n
sentimental chump but I've got to think Of that pic
ture as real person" He stared into the flames.
Poor ideall" said Stella, softly Poor, dethroned
lady of dream"
mo" said Gilbert, "she is not dethroned She still
has my allegiance-and my faith in her.
"Ifow strangel" murmured Stella. She leaned for
ward her chin resting on one closed hand staring into
the fire. The crimson light gowed on her bare arms
and cleaned in the depths of her half-cosed eyes Gil
bert watched her closely 1t was precisely thus that he
had often pictured her-sitting in front OF his fire
and staring into the flames.
come attached to your picture. There has been very
little romance in my life. There no time for it; it
has been all cold hard, grinding work Every man has
some sofenng influence, and that-was mine"
How odd - J1 murmured Stella
"That you should have been in love with that photo
graph of me- when all the time was so fercey deter
mined to hate you'll"
Gilbert stared at her in astonishment
"You amaze me he cried. g Do you mean to say
that it as bad as that? You poor little girl"
1t was my own fault"
brought us together should have gone to you--
but did not because wanted first to succeed; to have
something to offer you besides what other people had
given me-"
He took several Short impatient steps. "What fool
I have been" he cried, remorsefuly. And to think
of my SNUG criticism of you yesterday What fool
you must think me-and Justly!
Stella to her feet and turned to him with radi-
ant smile. But thought nothing of the kindl" she
cried You made me feel ashamed of myself"
Gilbert stepped quickly to her side Stella" he said
and thrill passed through the girl for the first time
she heard her name upon her husbands lips | have
done my best to make awful of our happiness
| have behaved like pg-headed school boy! Will you
forgive me, dear?" He took her hand in his Per-
haps is better that should go awayand do penance
and come back in time and try win your heart just
though this ceremony had taken place But before
90 mean to tell you" his voice sank lower, that
have always loved you-but have never loved you as
love you now!
Stella looked up into his face
Gilbert" she whispered'my husband Oh do
yoe-really love me?'
The answer was told her in the clasp of her husbands
strong arms