Morris tribune., 1917-01-05

Paulas heart hardened. and she
laughed unpleasantly The Feather
stOns were all that Eay-prOud and
stiff necked and conventional to a
fault. She could safely say that there
was no ache in her heart for any one
Dick, baby Polly or any one!
She walked defiantly 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 married her beauty. She
must keep herself lovely for Denis
sake. Denis was an artist, a dreamer,
a lover Of beauty, and if she had dis
appointed Dick, who was not beauty
wOrshiper, she must not fell 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 &C.
dar, perhaps driftwOod-but, no; 1t
couldn't be that. She was quite alone
in the house.
1t 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
in% 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
OF 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.
Before the warm cOZiness of the
room she stood in dazed wonderment
There was a great roaring fire Of drift
wood on the hearth, and somewhere a
gnarled bit Of cedar was sending out
I 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.
Curled among the cushions on the
set,ee was Polly. fast asleep.
A low table was drawn close to the
fire, and on it were a singing kettle and
some clumsily 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 go!'' 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. I've
promised Polly that she shall pour the
tea
Paula leaned against the door and
closed her eyes.
Coming, PaulaY' asked Dick after
awhile.
She came forward and, resting hel
hands for support on the desk, leaned
toward him.
"I-came here tonight-to-to-rur
away with Denis Brown!' she said.
"Yes?"
"Well, you cannot want me to pour
tea for you nOwY' 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 tC
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 shr1eked
at last, and, tumbling off the settee
she came to Paula's outstretched arms
For 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
and throat, and little baby chuckles OF
endearment fell on her hungry ears.
At last Paula lifted wet eyes and
looked straight at her husband. II
came after some letters Of mine," she
said honestly. 81 must 60 now. This
Is the end"
Dick arose and went to the hearth
| fire He stood there with an arm nm