The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-02-25

tested Allan. like your taste
In houses and music boxes and
bulldogs, but I'll be hanged If I'll
stand for masseur. There's no
use. they can't do me any good,
and the last one almost killed
me-"
mo, no." said Phyllis. mot
that kind! All | mean was a
man who would give the muscles
of your arms and shoulders lit
tie exercise. Please. The first
minute he hurts, you can send
him flying. You know they call
massage lazy peoples exercise"
Il believe you're really inter-
ested in making me BETTER" said
Allan, after a long silence.
why, of course" said Phyllis,
laughing. That's what I'm here
| fort"
But this answer did not seem
to suit Allan, for some reason.
Phyllis said no more about the
masseur. She only decided to
summon him, any way. And
presently Wallis came in and
turned all the lights on.
CHAPTER TX.
A Visitor.
In due course of time June
came. So did the masseur, and
more flowered frocks for Phyllis,
and the wheel chair for Allan.
1t was as Phyllis had hoped,
the paralysis of Allan's arms had
been less permanent than any
one had thought. BY the time
they had been month in the
country Allan's use of his arms
and shoulders was nearly normal,
and Phyllis wa having wild
hopes, that she confined to no
one but Wallis, of even more
sweeping betterments.
Allan slept much better, from
the slight increase of activity,
and also perhaps because Phyllis
had coaXed him outdoors as soon
as the weather became warm, and
was keeping him there. Some
times he lay In the garden on his
couch, sometimes he sat I'D In the
wheel chair, almost always with
Phyllis sitting or lying in her
hammock near him, and the de-
voted Foxy pretending to hunt
something near by.
His attitude to his wife became
more and more a taking-for-
granted affection and depend
ence. 1t is to be feared that Phyl-
lis spoiled him badly. But 1t was
SO long since she had been need
led by any one as Allan needed
her. And he had such lovable,
masculine ways of being wronged
IL he didn't get the requisite
amount of petting, and grateful
for foolish little favors and TAX
ing big ones for granted! And
it was so heavenly-oh, but It
was heavenly there in Phyllis
rose garden. Allan demanded
no, not exactly demanded, but ex-
pected and got-so much of Phyl-
lis society in these days that she
had learned to carry on all her
affairs, even the housekeeping,
out in her hammock by his wheel
chair or couch. She wore large,
floppy white hats with roses on
them, by way of keeping the san
off; but Allan, 1t appeared, did
not think much of hats except as
ornament for girls, and his uncov-
cred curly hair was burned to
sort of goldy-russet all through,
and his pallor turned to a clear
pale brown.
Phyllis looked up from her
work one of these heavenly last
of-June days, and tried to decide
whether she really liked the
change or not.
Allan felt her look and looked
up at her. He had been reading a
magazine, for Phyllis had succeed
ed in large measure in reviving
his taste for magazines and
books. We'll, Phyllis, my DEAR"
said he, smiling, what's the prob
lem now? | feel sure there is
something new going to be sprung
on me-get the worst overt"
"You wrong me-" she said, be-
ginning to thread some more pink
embroidery silk. II was only Won
dering whether liked you as well
tanned as / did when you we're so
nice and white, back in the city,"
Cheerful thought" said Allan,
laying down his magazine entire
ly. Shall / ring for Wallis and
some peroxide? AS you said the
other day, i have to be approved
of or I'm unhappy"
"Oh, it really doesn't NATTER"
said Phyllis mischievously. "You
know, / married you principally
for a rose garden, and that's love-
ly!"
81 suppose spoil the perspec-
tive, said Allan, Unexpectedly
ruffled.
mot bit, Allan" she said,
laughing at him. You're exceed
ingly decorative. remember the
first time ! saw you thought you
looked exactly like a marble
knight on a tomb"
Allan-Allan the listless, tranc-
ed invalid of four months before
threw his head back and shout
ed with laughter.
II suppose serve the purpose
of garden statuary," he said. I'VE
used 10 have some horrors when
was alkid. | remember two awful
bronze deer that always looked as