Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-11-09
PHILLIPPA SANDS
BY SUSAN SANFORD.


stiflly at his sides. With Il ceremoni-
Gus bow he walked steadily toward
the door. Ii burst open when he was
two feet from il, thrusting him back
into the room. As he Strengthened he
saw fronting him WildrOse face. with
star-eyes, blue as the sky, now full
of innocent CONCERN with red lips that
cried, "Oh. have | hurt you? | am
so sOrry-it was very Needless of me!'
Don't cry, Phil-Mr. Hayden was
just leaving-else l should present
him." Anne said with smile of soft
malice. Hayden stared. So this was
Phillippa Sands, of whom he had heard
such tales. An audacious firt, even
limited at as correspondent in Il pend
ing divorce, he had felt more than JUS
titled in begging Anne to have done
with her-Anne, who was like sister
to him, only dearer.
II believe in Omens," he said. fac
ing about. Therefore, shall not go
unless you insist on it," His eyes
asked for mercy.
"Stay-if your pressing business
can wait" Anne said, us ungraciOusly
as hospitality permitted. Phil opened
her blue eyes wider than ever. She
caught up book and ran away, say
ing over her shoulder: 81 came to
get it-wouldn't sleep a wink tonight
if l did not find out just how the end
came. l know, of course, she is going
to get him-after hating him half way
throughput don't know how"
May / apologize?" Hayden asked
as her footsteps grew faint outside.
Anne looked at him steadily.
"Why?" she asked phil iS-just
the same. / told you she had been
shamefully led about. You stood In
awe of Mrs. Grundy until you saw
her."
Are you jealous like those others2"
Hayden hazarded. Anne laughed
scornfully.
Il don't know how to be-" she said.
mot of anybody. Least of all Phil
lippa,A You saw how l resented your
slurs. Still, l am a little curious"
'As to what?" said Hayden.
WHY beauty excuses" said Anne
with dry chuekle. Hayden flushed.
1T may reasonably excuse" he said.
"And that with nothing Interior. The
sight of anything SO charming makes
one who knows life understand the In
stinctive jealousy it wakes In the I'M
lowered. Phillippa, born worker Of
charms, is also, and innocently, a born
trouble-maker. Knowing that, | am
glad TO find you big enough and brave
enough to stand by her."
1t was handsomely said. Coming
from Hayden it meant everything.
Anne smiled at him, but could not
help saying, "You wouldn't trust me
to judge for myself"
Hayden reached for her hand,
pressed it between both his own and
answered, Il think 1t was because
don't care to have you do anything for
yourself. I'm so much bigger and
uglier and rougher. like to find
for us both. What do you say?"
"Nothing-until you've had fort
night of Phillippa," Anne dubbed, her
eyes dancing. IF 1t leaves you con-
slant, then / shall never have misgiv-
ings. That is, of course. supposing
make up my mind to say Yes"
I'VE 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
human you could hardly resist forbid
den fruit"
In the last day Of the fortnight Hay
den walked with Phillippa through an
enchanted october world.
II am so glad it is like this-Our last
day." breathed Philippe, standing
bare-headed beneath a 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
1t came-all in flash"
"Yes" Hayden assented bowling his
head. But why talk of forgivlng my
self? If you love me-we can defy
the whole world"
Except Anne" Phillippa said softly
"And-my conscience. Don't laugh
have one. Could / ever be happy
knowing she sat In shadow"
"She would not sit there-she is toe
fine. too strong. Besides, she left me
free of her own choice" Hayden pro
tested doggedly. THAT proves heI
wisdom"
st shall not prove my treachery,'
Phillippa interrupted $50 1t is good
by for always. I'm going early tomor
row. | shall never come back"
Hayden entreated, argued-she was
firm. He tried TO take her hand-sht
eluded him, and ran down the slope
never stopping till they came to the
back gate of the garden. Phillips
, flung open the gate, darted through 1t
and rushed upon her friend, crying
Don't you dare cut roses for anybody
,, sister Anne-remember, want all Of
, them when | GO
"You are not going" Anne said, snug
Cling Phil in the hollow of her arm
"Instead you will stay-for my wed
ding. Yes-I am going to marry YOU
uncle Mark" nodding at man o.
middle age, who stood smiling LITTLE
way Off. Don't cry because we KEEP
our secret-you'll have time enough
to worry over it the rest of your life