The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-08-26
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Continued From Our Las, issue)

mousse Hhe could Sc" thru tue
lighted windows OF the living room
that Elsie and Harland were there.
Anne went up the walk slowly,
composing her face and thoughts
for the trying encounter.
At the door. with her hand on the
knob. she hesitated a shrinking sec
ond. Matte was talking. Anne
could catch only phrase here and
there. but they were enough
Went without comforts 10 give YOU
Injuries shaved away the best
years OF her life at stock work for
your sake. when she might have
teen on Broadsay'-"oyery cent OF
her savings IN the home she decided
over TO you as soon as II was paid
for"
Anne opened the door and went
I'm. Matte was standing by the
table. newspaper clipping In her
hand. Elsie Was backed up before
the fireplace. A little apart stood
Harland. frowning and intent. None
OF them noticed Anne.
I'm only explaining why nobody
could suspect you OF this," Matte
was saying. with her terrifying alt
OF Innocence. "But IL isn't ponaihie
you'd do such cruel. treaeheroun
thing. IL II. MIR. Harlandf Your
own motherl And when she was
sick. too-almost at deaths door,
To hold her up TO ridicule. TO try
20 inJure her professionally. to drag
her down from the place she's
climbed 10 80 painfully. carrying
you on her shoulder"
Matte abruptly dropped prctence
"You taunt her with being your
mother You make her out ieai
Gus old woman--iealous OF you"
"oh. didn't didn't" Elsie
stammered. shrinking back. Il
didn't tell him that. II. put II In
of his own accord" She paused.
lips parted. and horror in her face
Matte laughed unpleasantly and
turned away with a glance toward
Iiarland
You see. Mr.. Harland7"
NO. mo- Listen. Phill" the sirl
cried. but as he turned his back on
her. she broke down and burst Into
tears.
There were exelamations --triuna.
Iphant on Mattie's part--when shc
and Harland discovered Anne's
presence. But Anne paid no aatten.
ton to them.
Elsie" shs said. uncertainty.
The giri wheeled. uncoyering a
face that was passionate and dc.
fiant In spite OF the tear marks
"oh. you're here. are your You
heards Then you're satisfied. |
Supposed You can Gust the now
you and insice, Oh know how
you've been trying TO do II. from
the frat. | know how you've
schemed and plotted with him.
Phil was the only friend had. and
at last you've turned him agains,
me. You're all against mo now"
Hush. child. hush" Anne sprang
toward her. Don't talk like that
YOU"
Elsie pushed her away.
Don't pretend you'd care. You
wouldn't. Nobody cares what be-
comes Of mo" ThY all at once
her bravado and groSn.up airs de-
serted her. her head dropping in
lstinctiveiy on Anne's shoulder
"oh. wish I'd never come TO New
York; I'm 80 wretehed. Help the.
mamma! Help me-"
Anne held her gently and tried
10 quiet her. but she did II with
a stltf. conscious lack OF spon.
taneity. The room seemed full OF
FLAIR North. there were echoes
OF his sophistries and selfIshness
in every word OF his daughters
self defense. Yet the cling.
Ing arms around her neck were
calling up other memories.
What Is II You want me to do7''
she asked. at last.
"oh. don't knowl Only. Phil
don't let him hate mo. That's all
care about. Help me. mammal"
Harland and Matte had with.
drawn TO the remotest window.
MIR. Harland," Anne summoned
him.
The girl gave a frightened gasp
Dearest Don't mention what
what told you that night
about him and me-"
Anne released herself slowly
and drew back. holding her at
arms length. 1T wasn't true7"
"Not--not exactly Not--yet"
Harland had come down To them.
looking at Anne inquiringly. Elsie.
he did not seem t. see.
You've been badly treated. Miss
Houghton. From the very first.
you haven't had square deal. Ins-
lee called me a ockhead for not
seeing II, and reckon that's what
I've been" he said. He wants
you to play 'Elfrida' again. SO do
l. WIN you do IT."
"Mother7" E,sie whispered. un-
certain and anxious. Mother"
she repeated brokenly. and Anne
suddenly drew ner close.
Good" Harland said. with
deep breath--of satisfaction or
merely concurrence? when shall
we expect you back ?"
Never" Anne smiled at him
and shook her head. Never, II Il
means supplantlag Elsie"
"Half-measures wouldn't have an
swered." Anne said to Matte,
when Elsie and Herland had gone
off together, with the breach be.
tween them already closing over.
III ] had taken back the part. even
IL I'd kept her with me In New
York, there'd have come times
when she would have felt had
robbed her OF omething-thats
human nature. The thing always
would have been between MS.
breeding suspicion and jealousy
and conflict. No, ] settled II the
only sure, final way-the only way
a..