Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-22
THE EVENING STORY.
The Door That Was Left
Open.
By LOUISE BUTTON.


mother. and her brown eyes were fixed
on her mothers face. Pierce was con-
scious of two desires-to make her look
at him and stop looking at her mother.
He believed he had accomplished these
two things FIVE months later when they
sailed for Sicily on their wedding trip.
The night they came home down the hill
with their hands full OF unknown flowers
and found Mrs. Raines, a maid and their
suit cases occupying the little sitting
room of the house they had taken Pierce
changed his mind.
She had come over to sail with them, It
appeared. Pierce demonstrated with
Gertrude in private.
"Why. Dick" she said. I'm her young
est child and the only daughter she's
got This argument Pierce learned by
the fact that Mrs. Raines was seasick
unless Gertrude read to her. Also she
was coming to share their apartment the
next winter.
But it was not only the apartment she
shared.
'All Gertrudes friends are my friends"
she announced to Pierce blandly, "a She
gave up a concert unsolicited to make tea
for his best friend and the nice girl they
had met in Rome.
"All Gertrude's friends are my friends
she repeated, plaintively, when Dick and
Gertrude found her In tears on their re-
turn home from studio dinner they had
gone to without her.
Gertrude was half English and the other
half angel. Pie: ce said. But she was also
more than half pleased when Pierce re-
belled.
Il bought you something today. dear"
he said one night. Gertrude was comb
ing her hair. She had brown hair,
straight and very soft. Its house"
added Pierce. Gertrude continued to
comb her hair
Where is it?" she said.
Its on 6Sth street. said Pierce, ''and
your mother is not going to live in It,"
We'll have pink roses on our paper"
said Gertrude. happily.
Mrs. Raines received the news with
added a French basement, secured the
pink roses and enough shelves for
Pierce's books. and took their first din
ner there In May. Pierce brought Liberty
roses that matched the candle shades,
and he made the salad after a fashion OF
his own that involved lemon juice and no
vinegar, and varied according to ones
mood. Gertrude pinned a. rose on Pierce's
coat, and tucked one into her hair. She
was wearing a low white gown that had
belonged to her trousseau.
1T needs to be cleaned, anyway" she
apologized. But they both knew bet
This is the first meal we have had
alone together for six months and two
weeks" said Pierce, after calculation.
Gertrude lighted his pipe and said moth
ing, but shs drew his arm around her as
they went up to the drawing room.
They put out all the lamps but one.
and Gertrude played Chopin. Gertrude
she could not play at all. Pierce did
not care for Chopin, but he cared a
good deal for Gertrude. When she made
mistakes she looked up at him with
frightened child's eyes, and he laughed
at her and she laughed too.
By-and-by she made such a big mis-
take that she stopped playing, and came
to stand beside Pierce. looking out of
the window at the opposite lights.
I've don't know anybody on this
street." she said.
Were all alone" agreed Pierce COM
fortably.
Some one else was playing Chopin. ac-
curately and with accent. 1T sounds al
most IKE mother" she said i'd,
fortably, and they drew down the shades
and went upstairs.
Five minutes later Gertrude burst into
his dressing room, caught both his hands
and pulled him toward their door. 'Dick, /"
she cried. there's something In the
room.'
Lots Of things" began Dick comforta-
bly,, but faint rumbling stopped him.
Seems to come from the wall, he COM
and knelt to look under the
he added.
Rats don't wear silk petticoats." said
Gertrude as a rustling was joined with
the rumblfng, and the sound OF a faint.
muffied voice, land rats don't talk. She
went on. "Oh, Dick, come away. please.
and she'll probably shoot you
Listen said Pierce. getting to his
feet and putting a greeting hand on Ger
trude's shoulder. What is it she's try
ing to say?"
Where on EARTH muttered Pierce,
looking helplessly at the ceiling.
Move it." said the voice impatiently.
Move your bureau about three feet to
one side
you're not afraid are your asked
Dick.
in the middle of the room and watched
Dick .push at the heavy old bureau. 1t
stuck swayed and slipped easily out OF
the way. Dick stepped back painting.
and section of the wall opened before
Gertrudes startled eyes. A gray-clad
woman stood in the opening. Gertrude
gave one glance at the pink cheeks and
marcelled white hair.
Mother" she cried and caught at
Dicks arms.
Now" said Dick feebly, ''how. good
Lord"
Mrs. Raines picked up her long skirt
between two fingers and came forward,
smiling upon them.
Its my little surprise" she said; my
surprise for your housewarming, dears F"
She settled herself on Gertrudc's divan
and explained herself to tho now speech
less Pierces
CIV hen you took the house." she said,
Il was SO sorry for Gertrude; / know
how she always depends on me, and how
helpless she is without me- So / came
down quite by myself to see what I
could do. The house next door Is really
a much nicer one than yours, Dick. l
should have advised you to buy It II
you'd consulted me. But I'm glad you
didn't, for now I have bought 1t myself
I had 1t decorated without telling you.
side of this partition. I had a telephone
put in at the head OF my bed. 50 that
shall be able to call you UP. Gertrude
dear. at any time in the night. But the
door is best of all.
Yes, mamma" said Gertrude family.
BEST of ALL went on Mrs. Raines,
"and quite accidental, too. found some
charming paper at Forests, dear. with
large red peoples, and SO l had my bed
room rehung. And in rehanging, the
men found that the houses had once been
connected, and the door was papered
cret and l got the door opened again. and
here 1 am
Here you certainly are" admitted
Pierce. putting his hands deep into his
dressing gown pockets.
Mrs. Raines did not make long first
CALL She had stayed up on purpose to
tell them tonight she said, and now she
was tired. She would be over early In
the morning to help Gertrude with the
'And that gown. dear. isn't fresh