The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-02-25
CHAPTER TX.
A Nisitor


So did the maHseur. and more flow
cred frocks for Phyllis. and the
wheel chair for Allan.
II was as Phyllis had hoped. the
paralysis OF Ailan's arms had been
less permanent than any one had
thought by the time they had
been month In the country Alian's
use OF his arms Ind shoulders was
nearly normal. and Phyllis was hay.
ing Wild hopes. that she confided TO
no one but Wallis. OF even more
sweeplng bctterments.
Allan slept much better. from
the sllght increase OF activity. and
also perhaps because Phyllis had
coared him outdoors as soon az
tho weather became warm. and
was keeping him there. Some
times he lay IN the garden on his
couch. sometimes he sat up In the
wheel chair. almost always with
Phyllis sitting or lying in her ham
mock near him. and the devoted
Foxy pretending TO hunt something
near by.
His attitude 20 his wife became
more and moro taking.for.granted
affection and dependence. IL ~ to
DO feared that Phyllis spoiled him
badly. But II was 40 long since
she had been needed by any one
as Allan needed her, And he had
such lovnhic. masculine ways OF
being wrongcd ~ he didn't get the
requisite amount OF petting. and
grateful for foolish little favors aud
taking big ones for granted. And
II was 30 heavenly--oh. but 4, was
heavenly there in Phyllis rose gar.
den. Allan demnnded-no. not ex.
actiy demanded. but expected and
got--so much OF Phyllis society in
these days that she had learned to
carry on all her affairs. even the
housekeeping, out In her hammock
by hts wheel chair or couch. She
wore large. floppy white hats with
roses on them. by way OF keeping
the sun off. but Allan. II appeared,
did not think much OF hats except
as an ornament for girls. and his
uncovered curly hair was burned to
sort OF goldy.russet all thru, and
his pallor turned TO n clear pale
| brown.
Phyllis looked M from her work
one OF these heavenly Iast.ofJune
days. and tried to decide whether
she really liked the change or not.
Allan felt her look and looked
up at her. lie had been reading q
magazine. for Phyllis had succeed.
ed In n large measure in reviving
hts taste for magazines and books
Well. Phyllis. my dear" said he,
smiling. what's the problem now?
| feel sure there Ia something new
going to be sprung on me-get the
worst overl"
You wrong me-" she said, be
ginning 10 thread some more pink
embroidery silk. II was only won.
dering whether liked you as well
tanned as did when you were SO
nice and white. back In the city"
Cheerful thought" said Allan,
laying down his magazine entirely.
shall ring for Wallis and some
peroxide? As you said the other
day, I have to be approved of or
I'm unhappy"
"Oh. II really doesn't matter"
said Phyllis mischievously. you
know. | married you principally for
a rose garden, and that's lovely"
Il suppose spoil the perspec.
tive" said Allan, Unexpectedly
ruffled.
Not a bit. Allan" she said.
laughing Mt him. You're exceed.
ingly decorativel | remember the
first time ! saw you thought you
looked exactly like a marble knight
on n tomb"
Allan--Allan the listless, tranced
invalid OF four months before
threw his head back and shouted
with laughter.
II suppose serve the purpose OF
garden statuary." he said. I'VE
| used to have some horrors when |
was "A kid. remember two awful
bronze deer that always looked ms
IL they were trying not TO get their
feet wet. Louise and | used to
ride the deer"
His face Swallowed n little as he
spoke. for nearly the first time. of
tho dead girl
Allan" Phyllis said. bending
closer to him. all rosy and golden
in her green hammock. tell me
about--loulse Frey-if YOU don't
mind talking about her? Would Il
be bad for YOU, do you Think"
There's nothing much to tell.
Phyllis" he said, she was pretty
and full of life. We were more or
less friends all our lives. for our