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

drawback To Allan's enjoyment was
that he obviously wanted To take
the records out OF her unaccus.
toned fingers and adjust them him
self.
After the thing had been playing
for three-duarters OF an hour. Phyl.
lis rang for tea. II was getting a
little darker now. and the wood fire
cast fantastic red and black lights
and shadows over the room.
Allan. on his couch before the
fire. looked bright aud contentod.
The adjustable couch head had
been braced To such n position that
he was almost sitting up. The
little tea table was between Allan
and Phyllis. crowned with a bunch
OF apple blossoms. whose spring Ike
scent dominated the warm room.
Phyllis. IN her green gown. her
checks pink with excitement. was
waiting on her lord and master n
little silently
Allan watched her amusedly for
awhile she was as intent as n
good child over her tea ball and her
lemon and her little cakes.
Say something. Phyllis" he sug.
gested with the touch OF mischief
she was not yet used 10. coming
from him.
This is a serious matter" she
replied grayely. DO you know
haven't made tea-afternoon tea.
that is-for 40 long it's n wonder
know which is the cup and which
10 tho saucer1"
why notf" he asked Idly. yet
interestedly. too.
II was otherwise occupied. ! was
a Daughter OF Toll" explained Phyi.
IFS sercnely. setting down her own
cup TO relax in her chair. hands be.
hind her head. Il was a librarian
didn't you know"
mo. wish you'd tell me. n you
dont mind" said Allan. About
you. mean. Phyllis. DO you know,
feel awfully married 10 you this
afternoon-you've buliied mo 30
much It's no wonderland really
ought 20 know about my wife's
dark past"
Phyllis heart beat a little faster.
She. too. had felt "awfully mar
ried" here alone in the fire-lit iiv-
Ing room. dealing 10 intimately and
gayly with Allan.
There isn't much 20 tell" she
said soberly.
Come over here closer" com.
manded Allan tho npollt. We've
both had all the tea we want. Come
close by tho couch. ! want to zee
you when you talk"
Hifs voice was csresalng and the
darkness was deepening as the fire
sank. Only an occasional tongue
% flame giinted across Phyllis
silver slipper buckle and on the
seal ring Allan wore. II was easy
TO tell things there In tho perfumed
duskiness. She found herself pour,
Ing II all out 10 Allan. there close
by her. tho loneliness. the strain,
tho hard work. tho lack OF all the
woman-,h'ngs in her life. the iso.
iation and drcariness at night. the
overfatigu-. and tho hurt OF watch
Ing youth and womanhood sliding
away. unused. with nothing 10 show
for all tho years.
And when Mr.. Do Guenther
made mo that offer" she muir.
INJURED. coloring in tho darkness. Il
was tired and discouraged. and the
years seemed 10 endless, II didn't
I seem as tho I'd be hRrmlng any
one--but I wouldn't have done II II
you'd said n word asains, it--truiy
I wouldn't. dear"
Tho las, little word slipped OF,
unnoticed. She had been cnilins
! her library children dear" for q
year now. and the word slipped out
OF itself. But Allan liked r.
MY poor little girl" he said. I'm
your place I'd have married the
devil himsclf-up against a life like
| that"
"Then--then you don't mind -
asked Phyllis anxiously. ss she had
asked before.
mo. indeed" said Allan. with a
little unnecessary firmneEs. Il told
you that. didn't ~ like II"
80 you did tell me-" she said
pcni,enuy.
But supposing De Guenthcr
hadn't picked out some one like
I you"
That's Just what I've often
thought myself" said Phyllis
naively. she might have been
much worse than I. oh
but was frightened when I saw
you first | didn't know what you'd
/ be like. And then. when | looked
ut you"
We'll. when you looked at me -
demanded Allan.
But Phyllis refused 10 20 on.
Then you were quite as shu,
up in your noisy library as was
in my dark rooms" said Allan
musingly.
Il suppose I was" she said. "tho
I never thought OF II before. You
mustn't think II was horrid. II was
fun. lots OF 70. Only. there wasn't
| any being n real girl in IT,"
There isn't much In this,
should think" said Allan savagely
except looking after a big doll"
Docfor ;f Yo,,