The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1914-03-26

the stairs, 1t was only Mr.. Howell
who had brought his visitor to
the flood district, and on getting
her splsshed with the muddy
water, had taken her to my house
for towel and a cake of soap.
| lighted the lamp in the hall,
and Mr.. Howell introduced the
girl. She was akpretty girl, slim
and young, and she had taken her
wetting good naturedly.
Il know we are intruders, Mrs.
Pitman," she said, holding out
her hand. Especially now, when
you are in trouble"
l have told Miss Harvey lit
tle," Mr.. Howell said, and prom
ised to show her Peter, but he is
not here"
| think I had known it was my
sisters child from the moment ]
lighted the lamp. There was
something Of Alma in her. not
Alma's hardness or haughtiness,
but Alma's dark blue eyes with
black lashes, and Alma's nose
Alma was always the beauty of
the family. What with the days
excitement. and seeing Alma's
child like this, in my house, l felt
things going round and elutched
at the stair-rail. Mr.. Howell
caught me.
why, Mrs. Pitman!' he said.
Whats the natter"
l got myself in hand in a mo-
ment and smiled at the girl.
Nothing at ALL" l said. "In-
digestion, most likely. Too much
tea the last day or two, and not
enough solid food. I've been too
anxious to eat"
Lyda-for she was that to me
at once, although I had never
seen her before-Lyda was all
sympathy and sweetness. She
actually asked me to go with her
to restaurant and have a real
dinner. | could imagine Alma,
had she known! But l excused
myself.
Il have to cook something for
Mr.. Reynolds" l said, land I'm
better now, anyhow, thank you.
Mr.. Howell. may l speak to you
for a moment?"
He followed me along the back
hall, which was dusk.
II have remembered something
that | had forgotten, Mr.. Howell. "
| said. ION Sunday morning, the
Ladley's had visitor"
"Yes?"
They had very few visitors"
81 see."
II did not see him, butt
heard his voice." Mr.. Howell
did not move, but l fancied he
drew his breath in quickly. at
sounded--it was not by any
chance your"
81? A newspaper man, who
goes to bed at three a. m. on Sun
day morning, up and about at ten.
Il didn't say what time 1t was"
I said sharply.
But at that moment Ida called
from the front hall.
Il think hear Peter" she said
HE is shut in somewhere, whin-
ing"
We went forward at once. She
was right. Peter was scratching
at the door of Mr.. Ladley's room.
although I had left the door clos
ed and Peter in the hall. I LET
him out, and he crawled to me
on three legs, whimpering. Mr..
Howell bent over him and felt
the fourth.
Poor little beast!" he said.
Ellis leg is broken!"
He made splint for the dog.
and with Ida helping, they put
him to bed in clothes-basket In
my upstairs kitchen. 1t was
easy to see how things lay with
Mr.. Howell. He was all eyes for
her: he made excuses to touch
her hand or her arm--little cares
sing touches that made her color
heighten. And with IL all there
was a sort of hopelessness in his
manner, as IL he knew how far
the girl was out of his reach.
Knowing Alma and her pride, /
knew better than they how hope
less 1t was.
was not so sure about Ida.
l wondered IL she was in love with
the boy, or only in love with love.
She was very young, as l had
been. God help her. If, like me,
she sacrificed everything, to dis
cover, too late. that she was only
in love with love.
CHAPTER ".
Mr.. Reynolds did not come
home to dinner after all. The
water had got into the basement
at the store, he telephoned, one of