The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-12-23
and between us we'll see this thing

and between us we'll see this thing
through"
looked up at Won Gerhard. He
was noddin approval. 1t all SEEM
ed so easy, so temptingly easy.
To run away! Not to face him
until I was safe in the shelter OF
Norah's arms
We did not hear the front door
slam, or the sound of footsteps in
the hall. | was the first to see
him. And at the sight of the
emaciated figure, with its hollow
cheeks and its sunken eyes all
terror and hatred left me, and |
felt only a great pity for this
wreck of manhood. Slowly l went
up to him there in the doorway.
well, Peter" | said.
well, Dawn, old girl" said he,
you're looking wonderfully fit.
Grass widowhood seems to agree
with you, eh?"
And | knew then that my dread
dream had come true.
Peter advanced into the room
with his old easy grace of man.
ner. His eyes glowed as he
looked at Blackie. why, you
little liar!" he said, in his crisp,
clear English. 1--WE a notion to
thwack you. What d. you mean
by tellin' me my wife's gone?
You're not sweet on her your
self, eh?"
Won Gerhahr stifled an excla-
nation, and Orme turned quickly
in his direction. who are your"
he asked. Still another admir-
err" He stared at Won Gerhard
deliberately and coolly. A little
frown of dislike came into his
face. You're a doctor, aren't you?
knew it. can tell by the hands,
and the eyes, and the skin, and
the smell. Lived with EFF for ten
years! Wawn, tell these fellows
they're excused, will you? And, by
the way, you don't seem very hap
lpy to see mel"
l went up to him then, and laid
my hand on his arm. Peter, you
don't understand. These two gen.
tlemen have been all that is kind
to me. ] am happy to know that
you are well again. Surely, you
do not expect me to be joyful at
seeing you. AL THAT prtense was
left out of our lives long before
"Oh, cut out the melodrama, /"
Dawn" sneered Peter. Have
either of you fellows the makin's
about you? Thanks, I'm famished
for a smoke"
The worrying words OF ten
years ago rose automatically to
my lips. Aren't you smoking too
much, Peter?" The tone was that
of a harassed wife.
Peter stared. Then he laughed
his short, mirthless little laugh.
by Jove, Dawn, | believe you're
as much my wife now as you were
ten years ago. l always said, you
know, that you would have be-
come a first-class nagger IL you
hadn't had such a keen sense of
humor. That saved you" He
turned his hooking eyes to Won
Gerhard. Doesn't it beat the
devil how these good women stick
to a man, once they're married!
There's a certain dog-like devo-
ton agout it that's touching"
There was dreadfuy little
silence. For the first time in my
knowledge OF him, I saw hot,
painful red dyeing Blackie's sal
low face. His eyes had a menace
in their depths.
There came a sharp, insistent
ring at the door-bell.
"I'll be the Buttons" said
Blackie, and disappeared into the
hallway.
ooh, yes, I've heard about you,"
came to our ears a moment later,
in a high, clear voice. dear, be-
loved voice that sent me flying to
the door in an agony OF hope.
"Norah!" ! cried. "Norah! No
rah! Norah!" And as her blessed
arms closed about me the tears
that had been denied me before
came in a torrent of JOY.
There, there!" murmured she,
patting my shoulder with those
comforting mother-pats. whats
all this about? And why didn't
somebody meet he? tele-
graphed. You didn't get It? Well.
forgive you. Howdy-do, Peter?
.,,onaca vou ara pafar Now
don't smile that Mephistophelian
smile at me. 1t doesn't brighten
me. Won Gerhard, take him down
to his hotel. I'm dying for my
kimina and bed. And this child
is trembling like race-horse.
Now run along, all of you. Things
that look greenery-yallery at night
always turn pink in the morning.
Peter! Won Gerhard! Mr..