The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-08-05

How can she endure all this
beauty" asked. my voice hushed
with awe
she's endured II for mapy cen.
turtles. Il seems" be answered.
But We came closer then.
why. she hasn't even seen tt
not once" | cried. for | saw then
that she WAS not looking up. but
down--at tho burden In her arms.
lns,lnctiyely Maitland TAFT barred
bis head as we crossed the
threshold.
Shall we try 10 find n way thru
hero into the gardens7" he asked.
CHAPTER XII.
House Of a Hundred Dreams
The shadows inside the roofless
old abbey were warm and friendly
This duietuee makes you feel
that nothing really matters. doesn't
it?- asked. looking around with
a sort OF awed delight.
The man at my sids was less
awed
Shall we 30 on to the esrcens1"
ho asked.
We left the sanctuary. Then.
turning n corner OF the old stone
vail We came full upon n side OF
the house which was receiving
shamelessly the blgges, sun-kiss /
had ever seen. But then. II was
the biggest house ! had ever seen
Come and tell me about the
plants. ~ you cam" | begged
Which Is rosemary. and which is
ruef"
We walked down a flight OF worn
steps. and came upon prim gravel
pathways.
This Is rosemary" he said. and
hero. by the sun-dial. IL rue"
Then. even when | realized that
this was tho place where Lady
Frances Webb had spent her wear
isome days, to keep from hearing
tho clock chime In the hall. ! could
not bc sad.
"she could gather the rue while
the sun-dial told. all silently, OF the
days wearing on" said.
He looked at me uncertainty.
ibid she say that In her letters"
he asked.
Yes. She had sen, her lover
away. you see. and-therc was moth.
ing else in life"
And she longed for the days 10
pass sllentlyf"
"she stayed out here as much as
she could-to keep from hearing the
clock in the hall" told him. The
sound OF the ticking reminded her
of her hearts wearying beats"
"Of their hearts wearying beats.
you mean" he exclaimed. and a
quick look OF pain which darted
into his face showed me that he
comprehended. Then. for the first
time. | began to grasp what n lover
he would make! Before this time
had been absorbed with thoughts
OF him as n beloved
Suddenly my hat began TO feel
intolerably heavy. and my gloves
intolerably hot. I tempered fumb.
lingly with the pearl clasp at my
left wrist, and drew that glove off
first. Maitland TAFT was watching
me. lie saw my hand-my bare.
ringless hand.
Grace" he said.
"Yes?"
Does this mean that you're
you're"
A discreet cough interrupted for
a moment. Collins was coming to
ward us. from the ruins OF the old
abbey. Maitland TAFT looked up
and saw him coming, but he did
not stop. On the other hand, the
sight OF his servant seemed "a
goad him into hasty precipitation
Grace. will you marry me?" he
asked.
"Of course!" | managed 10 say
but not too theoretically. for the
muscles of my throat were giving
me trouble again.
Soon" he asked hungrlly.
I felt very reckless and-Ameri.
can.
Before the shadows pass round
this dial again, II you insist" i
smiled
But his eyes were very grave.
without knowing anything more
about me than you know now"
why. / know everything about
YOU replied, In some astonish.
ment. Il know that you are the
biggest and the dearest"
you know nothing about me-"
he interrupted softly. except what
have told yo". ! am r.~"-i-i- 4 +