The Washington herald., 1914-09-14

old blind woman" she said rebukingly
'ITl pray the good Lord not to re
member and visit It on him.
"I-I-you know-I-" Phil stammeret
with an appealing look at Lisa.
She laughed outright-he fed preclpi
tately-not toward the lot. but his haven
Of refuge, the hay NOW.
Nancy found him there. and coaxet
him to come forth. sR had made Il
right with granny-woud stay herself
and read TO her. Phil and Lisa might be
in time II only they hurried. AS NancJ
explained she was picking straws from
his coat, and motIoning him toward tn,
kitchen where he could wash and wip;
away his tears. He could not look a
her; his heart as too full-nor see her
his eyes were too dim. But in his mind
she shaped herself anew as the most
comforting and beautiful creature ever
made.
Times whirIigig took rhn far from
the home Of his bOyhood. At seven
and twenty he was as handsome and
promising a young lawyer as the
town Of Exmouth could boast. His
uncle, the judge. had taken him there
after granny died. adopted him. sent
him through college. and taken him in
to partnership in reward for winning
first honors at the law school.
Just one thing more, son." he had
said when Phil first sat down opposite
him in the private ONCE. Get married.
Quick. want to play with your children
a good while before / die"
From the judge this was astounding.
He had been held almost a child hater.
Those so holding did not know the
truth-that he had buried his heart in
the grave Of another mans wife. She had
"a al 49, IT,.
What so natural as that the judge should
scheme hopefully to make her the mate
Of his adopted son? Crsftily. OF course,
He was too wise for open speech in
the matter. Phil would. he knew, feel
bound TO follow his wishes. His boy
must be happy in his own way. Besides,
Evelyn was so charming. with her eyes
Of April blue. her red mouth. her spirit
Of impish glee. he did not see how any
normal young fellow could escape wor-
shipping her. even though she was more
than a bit OF a coquette.
Notwithstanding Phil went scathe-
less: played best man when Evelyn
married. and even forbore to kiss
the bride. But there was a genuine ring
TO his good wishes. warmth and sin
certify in his clasp OF the bridegroom $
hand
That night he said TO the Judge, whose
disappointment he had somehow sensed :
Please, sir. forgive me. But. you see.
Evelyn was a dead ringer for my first
sweetheart. Let me tell YOU the story.
then you'll understand how am i'm
mune to the Evelyn type"
The Judge laughed uproariously over
the telling. II ran through all the
tauntings. teasings. and small humili-
ations Phil had had to endure at that
all ssT "
rtuaIIy blistered. but il made a complete
cure" Phil wound up, adding after a
minute: I'D give a lot to know what
they grew up 10 be-the Acton twins,
especially Nancy. Unless she changed a
whole lot. l fear she'll live and die
spinster"
Maybe not: you know the saying about
No goose no gravy" the judge said.
laughing. Then as though struck by a
sudden thought, Why don't you take
me out to the old place I'd love to see
where you played as a little boy
Thus II fell out that a month later
Judge Gregory and his nephew knocked
at the Acton door. Mrs. Acton, hardly
older than Phil. remembered her opened
it. and looked at them Questioningly. but
before they could speak a tall. slender
young woman with blue eyes and an
infantine smile precipitated herself upon
them crying, Phil, I'd know you in
the middle of Africa. Come right in.
want to show you my baby"
Il call that rubbing it in" Phil said
smiling. How do you know 1 have not
come back to marry you?"
Lisa shook her fist at him. saying. with
a grimace: "Oh. / Outgrew you ten
years back at least. but know just the
young person for you"
Phil did not answer. He was staring
hard at a vision. Just within the living
room door was a woman. neither tall
nor short, with clear, pale skin and
lucent green-gray eyes. overhung by
smooth masses of shining chestnut hair.
Her face had a still look-as Of one whom
time had passed by. Involuntarily Phil
closed his eyes for a breath. seeing only
again the angel of succor who had eased
his boyish shame.
He went toward her with outheld hands
breathing rather than saying. Nancy