The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-08-31
CHAPTER XVI

Toward morning she slept. a hid
eous dreaming. A writing snake
filled the room. colled about and
about and about her. It's red tongue
burning her face. In TIA kissing a
diabollcal laughter. She tried To
beat Il back. 10 choke II. but It's
coils only frightened tigh,ened-
tightcned--. Her eyes. In n hor.
riblc fascination. watched It's great
fiery mouth open to dcvour her
Then I'd was there. his hands
gripping that scaiy neck An The
coils looHrd- She was free OF IT,
Free Now I'd had flung
IL out tho window. And
now. now he was laughing and
holding her in HIS arms.
IL was late when she swokc She
heard tho nurses voice and Eddle's
EurEiinE laugh sent . happy triil-
ing 'Coo-oo--Mother'a boy" before
memory stirred. Then Il came In
flood-the cnveloping blaokness.
u was with her as she dressed. a.
she played with tho baby under tn.
trees. And memory OF the grus-
some dream came: even yet abe
could feel thoae horrible coils tina,
frightened about her and feel the
heat OF that fiery mouth She
sickened--it was not a dream. but
prophecy
"A prophecy" she whispered
Then "Oh-Oh-0h" she cried in q
euriousiy rising voice. the first
"ohl" q questioning breath, the
last "Oh'" an excited. rapturous
outburst That was i,--Ef.
She sprang up. called to the
nurse 10 mind the baby. ran
brcathlcsGly to the house. went to
the telephone. returned 90 the
yard. laughing in orally happy
way.
shn had invited Mira. Newell To
spend the afternoon with her
When I'D came home at noon she
should ask him To sit in the office
ahile Mrs. Newell was here. with
the door open between II and the
living room. alt quietly. so that
Mira. Newell wouldn't know he was
there I'd then would hear Mrs
Newell tell Peggy things about
him.
Mrs. Newell. very stylish In a
black and cerise gown. her face
toned 10 an artistic pallor TO con.
trast picturcsquely with her black
hair. languid eyes, and elongated
black earrings. sat opposite Peggy
In the Trowbridge living room. her
back 10 the open door that led Into
tho office" Peggy faced 81: but
not eagerly expectant. not with
any joyful hope stirring within
tor. only in a sickening apprehen-
ion.
Ed was In the office--yes: but
My because she had demanded
ifs presence there Ed had seen
frs. Newell before he came home,
ad been told more delicious non.
ense" about his wife and Tim Nor.
is. Holly Jealous. stu boyishly
urt that Peggy should have lock.
her doors against him. he was
n no wise amenablc TO entreaty--
atient ontreaty. at first. lovingly
NJ by Peggy. her young face all
endernoss--for he was 80 deeply
md blindly unhappy that she
wanted TO soothe him as she did
eddie.
Suddenly Mrs. Newell dropped
or embroidery TO her lap, her
words rushing out as with an un.
ontrollable impulse.
you and I'd were made for each
other told him | wasn't the
woman for him. I'm too suspicious,
too Jealous. To sit here in this
room AT night while he's in the
city at a railroad rate hearing, or
some one of the many reasons that
keeps him there over night or
course I'd know. Just as you do,
that II was really business that
kept him there. but my worldly
mind would conjure mp other rea-
sons for his staying away from
me. I'd remember his oscapades
before he was married, and his
weakness for new face. Dear
boy, OF course he wouldn't be do.
ing a thing wrong. but !. not hav-
ing your generous disposition.
would keep saying to myself-It's
a woman that's keeping him
Now, he's having a nice little sup
per with her In some cozy place
Now he's leaning over her with
that fascinating look In his eyes as
tho be could never get his FIJI OF
her'-'Now-'"
Then--the door opened. and Peg.
gy's husband walked into the room.
seated himself at her side. his
hand reaching out for hers, seem
ingly without his consciousness,
and holding II closely pressed upon
his knee. He looked at Mrs.
Newell.
I've just telephoned Mr.. Logan.