The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-08-22
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A Novel
A Week
Es.Ls...s..iisi!.

INST lou noh '"'i '"~'"'
old7"
His hair Is gray. He must be
forty. isn't her"
"Fortytwo," she said slowly.
DO you call that old7"
We'll. elderly. Don't your Why.
my fathers only fifty"
Her cup ratified In the saucer.
Il was surprised when ! saw
him." he Numbered on. From
what you'd said. expected him TO
be--well. more In our class"
And you think he's a hopeless
outsidgrT"
NO. indeed. haven't met a
man In the North that like bet
ter. But The flushed. laughed
nervously. and confessed-"i used
10 wonder sometimes Tiff you and
he weren't--more than friends. you
know. Now. OF course
"Well1"
Look at me. Anne. Anne.
Annei"
Hush" she whispered. "oh.
huHhi"
There was dawning exultation in
his face Both had risen 20 their
feet. but she drew back sharply as
he took a step nearer.
Wait. Phil There's something
I must tell you-meant 10 tell you
long ago." she painted. I'm not as
young as you think am. I'm older
than you are. I'm"
Older" He laughed. What
difference does year or two,
make7"
It's more than that. And the
years aren't all. When you
know"
Il know you're the most wonder
full. most charming woman ever
saw" He had somehow got pos.
session Of both her hands now.
Just 20 be with you is an inspira.
ton. Plots and scenes fairly jump
into my mind when | look at you"
He stared at her In rapturous won
der. You look like 'Elfrida'-l
Ei,rida the spirit Of youth-like
I've dreamed her--at last"
AT LAST"
There was something lacking
before. didn't miss II and didn't
know what It was. but It's In your
face now. oh. Anne. you're 80
lovely, SO adorable," He crushed
her two hands in his. bending over
them.
The telephone bell rang loudly.
Never mind IT." Harland said.
with a laugh.
The bell rang again, clamorous
and persistent.
~contound the thing! Let IT
ring. Anne"
I'D better answer II. They won't
stop I'll I do" she said; and this
time he let her 70.
"wcil7" she said. into the re-
cciver. and. after a moment NO.
I can't sec anybody this afternoon.
! am busy" Then came questions
OF which Harland did not try 10
get the drift.
Very well. then. For a few
minutes Send her up At once.
Anne was saying.
You're not going to have any.
body up here nowf' he exclaimed.
"Oh. Annei"
II must" she said. turning back
to him with an anxious. distracted
expression. It's very strange. She
wouldn't give me her name. but she
says she has message for me from
from my people. You won't mind
going downstairs a while. PhilT
Il suppose not Hurry thru with
II, tho. won't your Don't forget ]
am waiting"
She promised. and gave him both
her hands. He went out OF her
thoughts as he went out the door.
She was Anne. the mother. now.
with one terrible question usurp-
ing her whole mind: Could any
thing have happened TO her chiid7
when at last the knock came.
she was trembling so she dared not
try TO cross TO the door. Steadying
herself against a chair. she called.
Gomez"
The door opened slowly. A young
girl stood on the threshold.
How do you do" she said. with
ripple OF mirth in her voice.
Anne had never seen her before.
she was certain OF that. Yet there
was something familiar about her
strangely. uncannily familiar.
The girl laughed. Don't you
know me' Honestly"
Anne shook her head.
why. who ever heard OF such a
thing" the girl exclaimed; and
running across the room. linked her
arm in Anne's and drew her up 20 |
n mirror on the wall. Look there"
she said.
Their faces were reflected side
by side. both delicately regular |
and clear-cut. with mobile. sensi- |
tive lips and gray green eyes. and
both crowned with wonderful. flame.
red hair. Anne gave only a glance
to hers and then her gaze fastened
on the other with a kind of ter.
rified fascination.
"Elsie7" she asked. in a muffled
voice.
"of course"
But you're not little girl.
You're woman. And Elsie"
The girl laughed again. some.
what nervously.
~'Elsie, My baby" Anne cried,
And she drew her into
her arms. holding her close and
kissing her as she had kissed the
child so many years before
(continued In Our Next Issue)
There are 11,44S more men and
l~,,.. shan usApaan and TIL a..