The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-08-30

Paula's heart hardened, and she
laughed unpleasantly The Feather
stons were all that way-proud and
sim necked and conventional to
fault. She could safely SEA that there
was no ache In her heart for any one
Dick, baby Polly or any Sne!
She walked defantly to the mirror
and. removing her hat, looked closely
at her fair face. She was as lovely as
ever. The two years Of strain and
worry had not marred her beauty. She
must keep herself lovely sfor Denis
sake. Denis was an artist, a dreamer,
a lover Of beauty, and IL she had dis
appointed Dick, who was not beauty
worshiper. she must not fail to hold
Denis love forever.
A little terror took possession Of her
for the moment, but she shrugged i'm
| patiently and turned away from the
glass.
| Denis was to meet her at the end of
the road. and they were to go In his car
to Boston. She had wanted this hour
to herself before she left Seaways for
ever.
Gently she closed the door and went
toward the stairs. Halfway down the
fight she stopped short.
From somewhere In the house came
the smell of burning wood-it was ce-
dar, perhaps driftwood-but, no; Il
couldn't be that. She was quite alone
in the house.
It was merely her fancy. Something
in the hour had brought back the past
too wildly. How many times she had
come down the stairs at twilight sens
ing that same pungent odor from the
hearth fire in the library!
She must visit the library too. She
wanted that dear picture of Polly from
Dicks desk. He could have as many
more taken as he chose, she thought
bitterly, and he would have Polly too.
or course the Featherstons would
teach Polly to despise her mother. But
she must hasten: Denis would be wait
ing.
She turned the knob of the library
door and entered.
Il
room she stood in dazed wonderment.
There was a great, roaring fire Of drift
wood on the hearth, and somewhere
gnarled bit of cedar was sending out
fragrant blue smoke.
A red shaded lamp Illuminated the
room softly.
Dick was writing at his desk, some
thing big and splashing, in his dashing
way.
Curleo among the cushions on the
settee was Polly, fast asleep.
A low table was drawn close to the
fire. and on 1t were singing kettle and
some clumsiiy arranged tiny cups and
saucers. Paula recognized them as
Polly's cherished toys. There were
other things-a pot Of jam and some
stale looking sweet biscuits. They
might have been hurriedly rummaged
from the chimney cupboard.
Paula saw these things in one swift
glance. She also saw Dicks broad back
as he bent over the desk. He did not
turn his head at her entrance.
II must gor she told herself In wild
alarm, but still she stood there, afraid
to move.
Dick did not turn his head. but pres
emily he spoke, carelessly:
We've been waiting ages for you
dear. The kettles boiling over. Pve
promised Polly that she shall pour the
tea"
Paula leaned against the door and
closed her eyes. :
Coming, Paula% asked Dick after
awhile.
She came forward and, resting heI
hands for support on the desk, leaned
toward him.
"I-came here tonight-to-to-run
away with Denis BrownT she said.
"YesT
"Well. you cannot want me to pour
tea for you nowP she laughed bit.
terly.
Polly is to pour tea," he reminded
her gently. Besides, you will want
to say goodby to her."
abr she cried sharply. "You are
cruel"
He was silent. His pen ceased to
write, and she knew that he was star
. ing into the fire.
He must have suffered. His dark
, hair was almost white.
: Polly stirred, opened her eyes, yawn-
: ed like white kitten and stared at her
! mother with unbelieving Joy.
"Oh, muvver. muvver" she shrieked
! at last, and, tumbling on the settee,
/ she came to Paula's outstretched arms.
For a long time Paula held her there,
! feeling her numbed heart slowly melt
: ing under the touch Of the warm little
: body. Baby kisses smothered her face
I and throat, and little baby chuckles OF
endearment fell on her hungry ears.
D At last Paula lifted wet eyes and
looked straight at her husband. Il
] came after some letters Of mine," she
, said honestly. II must go now. This
: is the end"
Dick arose and went to the hearth
fire. He stood there with an arm on
the mantelpiece, his grave eyes search