The Wahpeton times., 1917-12-06
PHILLIPPA SANDS
BY SUSAN SANFORD.

| "erl'--the door is not locked" Anne
said dcliantly.
"lt will not need to be locked
against me, Miss Burton, 1 bid you
good evening" he said, rising, hands
| stii!ly at his sides. With a ceremoni.
GUS bow he walked steadily toward
the door. 1t burst open when he was
TWO feet from it, thrusting him back
INTO the room. AS he Strengthened he
saw fronting him wild-rose face, with
star'eyes, blue as the sky, now full
OF Innocent concern, with red lips that
cried, "Oh, have I hurt you? am
SO sorry-it was very needless of met"
Don't cry, Phil-AIr. Hayden was
just leaying-else should present
him., Anne said with smile of soft
malice. Hayden stared. So this was
ihlllippa Sands, of whom he had heard
such tales. An audaciOus fiirt, even
limited ut as correspondent in pend
ing divorce, he had felt more than jus.
tilted in begging Anne to have done
with her-Anne, who was like sister
to him, only dearer.
Il believe in omens," he said. "fac.
ing about. '"Therefore-I shall not 20
unless you insist on it," His eyes
asked for mercy.
"stay--if your pressing business
can w;'it,' Anne said, us ungraciously
as hospitality permitted. Phil opened
her blue eyes wider than ever. She
caught up Il book and ran away, say
ing over her shoulder: II came to
get it-wouldn't sleep wi;ak tonight
if did not find out just how the end
came. know, of course, She is going
to get hinl-after hating him half way
throughput don't know how"
MAY l apologize?" Hayden asked
as her footsteps grew faint outside.
Anne looked ut him steadily.
"Why?" she asked. "Phil is-iust
the same. l told you she had been
shamcfully led about. You stood in
awes Of Mrs. Grundy until you saw
her"
Are you Jealous like those others?"
Hayden hazarded. Anne luughtA
scornfully.
Il don't know how to be-" she said.
mot of anybody. Least of all Phil.
iippa. You saw how resented your
slurs. Still, l am IL little curious"
"As to what?" said Hayden.
"Why beauty excuses" said Anne
with dry chuckle. Hayden flushed.
1T may reasonably excuse" he said.
"And that with nothing ulterior. The
sight Of anything SO charming makes
one who knows life understand the in.
stinctive jealousy it wakes in the un.
lowered"
1t was handsomely said. Coming
from Hayden it meant everything
Anne smiled ut him, but could not
help saying, "You wouldn't trust Inc
to judge for myself"
Hayden reached for her hand,
pressed it between both his own and
answered, II think it was because
don't care to have you do anything for
yourself. I'm SO much bigger and
u-iicr and roughcr. l like to find
for us both. What do you say?"
"Nothin@-unlil you've had Il fort.
night of Philippa," Anne bubbled, her
eyes dancing. IF it leaves you con-
sia'it, then | shall never have nlisgiy.
ings. That is, Of course, supposing
make up my nlina to say Yes"
we will tell her, of course Hayden
/ said with decision.
Anne shook her head. "Nothing to-
tell-yet," She said. Besides, that
wouldn't be fair. You both are 50
! e., ~
den fruit"
In the last day of the fortnight Hay.
den walked with Phillippa through an
enchanted October world.
Il am SO glad 1t is like this-our last
day!" breathed Phillippa, standing
hare-headed beneath Il golden maple.
She faced him, looking him full in. the
eyes. "Forgive yourself for loving
me-" she said clearly. "You never
meant to do it-no more than l did
it came-all in a FASH
"Yes!" Hayden assented bowling his
head. "But why talk of forgiving my.
self? If you love me-we can defy
the whole world"
Except Anne" Phillippa said softly.
AHu-iIy conscience. Don lauSn-I
have one. Could l ever be happy.
| knowing she sat i'll shaGOw?'
''She would not sit there-she is too
fine, too strong. Besides, she left me
free Of her own choice" Hayden pro.
tested dcggedly. '"rhat proves her
Wisdom"
1T shall not prove my trcachery,"
Phillippa interrupted. $50 it is good.
by for always. I'm going early tomor.
row. 1 shall never come back"
Hayden entreated, argued-shc was
firm. He tried to take her h;ind-she
eluded him, and ran down the slope,
never stopping till they came to the
back gate Of the garden. Phillippa
flung open the gate, dartcd through it,
and rushed upon her friend, crying:
'Don't you dare cut roses for anybody,
sister Anne-remember, want all of
them VIXEN l gO'
"You are not going" Anne said, snug.
Cling Phil in the hollow of her arm.
''1nstcad you will stuy-for my wed.
ding. Yes-I an going to marry your
uncle Mark" nOddinp at q man Of