The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-02-23

globes In Il and secured II With
string.
"There'" che told Allan trium.
phnntly when Wallis was done.
See, here IL no glare now; only
pretty rose-colored glow. Better
than the green. isn't III"
Allan looked nj her again. You
kind" he said. Mother said
-you would be- kind. oh, mother
mother" lie tried uHelessly 10
lift one arm 10 cover his conyulsed
face, and could only turn bis head
a little aside.
you can 10. Wallis" said
Phyllis softly. with her lips only.
BE In the next room" The man
stole out and shut tho door softly.
Phyllis herself $3.50 and went to
ward the window. and busted her.
self In braiding mp her hair. There
was almost silence In the room for
q few minutes.
Thank YOU" said Allan broken.
ly. win you-come back. pleased"
She returned swiftly. and sat by
him as she had before.
Would you mind holding my
wrists again" he asked. i feel
quicter, somehow. when you do
not so---lost." There was pathetic
boyishness in his tone that the sad.
clear lines OF his face would never
prepare you for.
Phyllis took his wrists IN her
warm. strong hands obediently.
Are you IN pain. Ailang' she
asked. DO you mind n call you
Allan tia the easiest way"
He smiled nj her a little family.
II occurred to her that perhaps the
novelty Of her was taking his mind
n little from his own feelings.
Mono pain. ! haven't had any
for very long time now. Only
this dreadful blackness dragging at
my mind. blackness the light
hurts"
why" said Phyllis 20 herself.
being on known ground here
why, it's nervous depression, |
believe cheerinE.up would help. !
know" she said aloud: I've had
a."
Your" he said. But you seem
so-happy'"
Il suppose am said Phyllis
shyiy. She felt a little afraid OF
poor Allan" rtill. now that there
was nothing 60 do for him, and
they were talking together. And
he had not answered her question,
either. doubtless he wanted her 10
cay Mr.. Allan" or even Mr.. Har
rlnEton," He replied 10 her
thought In the uncanny way In
yallda sometimes do.
You sale something about what
we were TO call each other. he
murmnrcd. 1T would be foolish.
of course. not 10 use first names.
Yours IL Alice. isn't It?~
Phyllis laughed. "Oh. worse than
that" she said. Il was named out
OF a poetry book. I belicve--Phyilis
Narcissa- hut | sisys conceal the
Sarcissa- But I always conceal the
Phyllis. Thank You" he said.
YEARLY. Phyllis. don't let
rol Talk 10 me- His eyes were
those OF a man in torment
what shall talk ,aboutf" she
Aaked. soothingiy. keeping the two
cold. ciutching hands In her warm
grasp. "Shaii ! tell you q story? |
know a great many stories. II was
part OF my work"
YES he said. Anything"
Phyllis began the story she knew
best. because her children liked II
best. Kipling's How the Elephant
Got His Trunk"
"A lcng. long time ago. o best
Allan listened. and. she thought.
nj times paid attention TO the
words. She went straight on to
another story when the first Was
done. Never had she worked so
hard 10 keep tho interest OF any
restless circle Of children as she
worked now. sitting up in the pink
light In her crepe wrappsnga. with
her schoolgirl braids hanging down
over her bosom. and Allan Harrinr.
ion's agonixed golden-brown eyes
Ata'o th h't bit9sak 'hfhs
You must be tired" he said.
moro conncctedly and quietly when
she had ended tho second story.
Can't You sit up here by me.
propped on the pillows And you
need quilt or something. too"
This from an invalid who had
been given nothing but himself TO
think OF this seven years back
Phyllis opinion OF Allan went up
very much. She made herself a
bank OF pillows. and arranged her
self by Allans side so that abe
could keep fast TO his hands with.
ont any strain. something as
skaters hold. She wrapped n down
quilt from the foot OF the bed
around her. mummy.fashion. and
went on TO her third story. Allan's
eyes. ms she talked on. grew less in
tent--drooped. She felt the relaxa.
ton Of hts hands She went monot.
onously on. closing her own eyes
Just for a minute. as she finished
her story.