The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-02-26

She did not open her purse and
apponse him by giving him money
she had too much with her That
morning she had received the check
for her monthly income from Mr.
DE Guonther, sent Wallis down 10
cash II, and then stuffed n IN her
bag and forgotten II In the distress
OF the day. The man might take
the money and strike her senselena.
even kin her
Tomorrow, she said. going rap
idly on. She had now what would
amount 10 about three city blocks
TO traverse still There was a short
way from outside the garden hedge
thru 10 the garden. which cut Off
about half a block II she could
gain this she would be safe.
Nav. yeh don't" snarled the
tramp. aa che fled on. Yen set
that bull pup o. yours on me. !
been there. an come away again.
You Just gimme some o. them rings
an things an well call II square,
me fine LADY,"
Phyllis heart stood ntill nj this
open menace. but she ran on still.
A sudden thought came 10 her. She
anatchei her gilt sash buckle-a
pretty thing but OF small value
from her waist. and hurled II far
behind the tramp. In the half lifht
Il might have been her gold mesh
bag.
There's my money-Fo get ~
she gAsped and ran for her life.
The tramp. as she had hoped be
would. dashed back after II and
gave her the start she needed. The
chase seemed unending. She could
hear the dreadful footsteps OF the
tramp behind her. and his snarling.
swearing voice painting out threats.
Then NJ last tho almost invisible
gap IN the hedge. and she flew thru.
Allan, AllAn' Allan" she
screamed. fleeing instinciiyeiy TO
hts chair.
The rose garden was like a place
Of enchanted pence after the terror
Of outside. Her quick vision as she
rushed In was OF Allan stu there.
movclesn In bis chair. with the little
black bulldog lying asleep across
his arms and shoulder Ike n child
II often lay 80. As she entered.
the scene broke up before her eyes
I like diHsolying view. She saw
the little dog wake and make what
seemed one flying spring 10 the
trampa throat. and sink It's teeth
IN it--and Allan. At her scream.
spring from bis chair
Phyllis forgot everything nj the
sight OF Allan standing. Wallis and
the outdoor man. who had run 10
che spot ~ Phyllis screams. were
dealing with tho tramp. who was
writing on the grass. But neither
Phyllis nor Allan saw that. Which
caught tho other In an embrace they
never knew. They stood locked to
ge,her. forgetting everything else.
he IN the idea OF her peril. she in
wonder OF bis standing.
"Oh. darling. darling" Allan was
saying over and over again. You
arc Eafe--thank heaven you are
safc' on. Phyllis. could never for
give myself II you had been hurt!
Phyllis, Speak 10 me-"
But Phyllis own safety did not
concern her now. She could only
think OF one thing. You can
stand' You can stand" abe re-
iterated. Then a wonderful thought
came 10 her. striking across the
others. as she stood locked IN this
miracuiously raised Allan's arms.
She spoke without knowing that
abe had haid Il aloud. DO you care.
tool" she said very low. Then the
dominant thought returned. You
munt ait down arain." she said hur.
risdly. TO cover her confusion. and
what she had said. Please. Allan.
eft down. Please. dear--youll tire
yourself"
Allan sank into his chair again.
s,ill holding her. She dropped on
her knees beside him. with her
arms around him.
Did you mean IT," Allan said
passlouately. Tell me, did you
mean what you Aaid7''
Phyllis dropped her disheveled
head on Ailan's shoulder.
I'm afraid-I'm going 20 cry.
and-and know you don't like IT,"
she painted. Allan half drew. half
guided her up into his arms.
WAS II true7" he insisted. civ.
Ing her an impulslve little shake.
She sat up on his knees. wide-eyed
and wet.cheeked like a child.
but you knew that all alongl"
she said. THAT was why felt so
Inundated IL was you that
thought didn't care"
Allan laughed joyously. "Care,"
he said. Il should think did. first,
last. and all tho time, Why. Phyl.
lis. child. didn't behave like a
brute because was Jealous enough
OF John Hewitt 10 throw him in
tho river? He was the first man
! you had seen since you married
me-attractive. and well. and clever
and all that--it would have been
natural enough II you'd liked him. .
There's nobody but you In the
world" whispered Phyllis.
But you're we'll now. or you VIII
be soon." she added joyously. She
slipped away from him. Allan
don't you want to try 10 STAND
AGAIN. II you did II then. you can
do It now"
yes, by Jove. do" he said. But
this time the effort TO rise was
noticeable Still. he could do t.
with Phyllis eager help.
1T must have been what DR..
Hewitt called neurasthenic inhibi
ton" said Phyllis. watching the
miracle of a standing Allan. THAT
| was what We were talking about
by the door that night. you foolish
boy! Oh. how tall you
arel Inever realized you were tall
| lying down. somehow"