The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-08-01

the day. rather dreading the pub.
licity OF a.
why In Sam INN can't n man and
a woman yet married without all this
funsy'' he complained once. why
should we make our private affairs a
spectacle for tho whole town"
Principally because mamma has
her heart set ON a spectacle" Linda
laughed. "She'd hold up her hands
In horror II she heard you. Decorated
bridal bower. high church dignimry.
bridesmaids. orange blossoms. rice.
and all. Mamma likes 20 show on.
society. And tho honeymoon"
They both Eiggied. as at o m 9
mirthfui secret
shall We tell herr Linda nodded
toward Stella.
Sure" Benton said. 81 thought
you had"
Tho happy couple win spend their
honeymoon on n leisurely tour OF the
Southern and Eastern states. remain.
ing for some weeks in Philadelphia.
where tho groom has wealthy and
influential connections. It's all pre-.
pared for the pay a pura." Linda
whispered with exaggerated secrecy
behind her hand.
Benton snorted.
Can you beat that7" he appealed
10 Stella.
"And all the time" Linda oontin.
ued. the happy couple. unknown "a
every one. will be spending their days
In peace and qulctnesa In I heir
shanty ut Halfway Point My, but
mamma would rave II she knew
Don't give ua away. Stella. u secfnr
so penscic.s TO squander a lot OF
money Enddlng about on trains and
| living in hotels when we'd much
rather be at home by ourselves. My
husbands a poor young man. Stella
| Pore but worthy lie has TO make
his fortune before we start In spend
ing q. I'm sick OF all this spread
ing II on because dad has made a pile
OF money" she broke out impatient
/ ~. "our living used 20 be simple
enough when l was a kid. think
can relish n little simplicity again foi
change. Mammals been trying for
four years TO marry me OF TO her
conception OF an eligible man. II
didn't matter a hang about his essen
tlal qualities so long as he had
money and an assured social posi-
ton"
Forget that Charii, counsclcd,
slanEiiy. II have all the essential
qualities and III have the money and
social position. too; you watch my
smokeF'
"Conc-i,cd nlnny." Linda smiled.
But there was no rcproof in her tone
only pure comradeshlp and arcc.
ton. which Benton returned 40
openly and uuarcctediy that Stella
got up and left them with panE Of
envy. a dun little ache In her heart.
She had missed that. II had paused
her By. that clean. spontaneous fus-
ing Of two personalities IN the big
gcst passion life holds. Marriage and
motherhood Hhc had known. not IA
the Towering Of love. not as an eager
fulfilling % her natural destiny. but
as something sxtraneous. an avenue
OF escape from an irksomcncss of iiv-
ing. WEAKNESS with sordid things.
which sh. knew now had obscsscd
her out OF all proportion TO their re
atty. She had never seen that ten.
dcrncss glow In the eyes OF n mating
pair that aho did not envy them. that
she did not feel herself hopeicssly
dafraudcd OF her woman's heritage.
she went up 20 her room. moody.
fun Of bitterness. and walked the
thick carpcted floor. the rcstlessneas
Of her chatting splri, seeking the out
let OF action.
Thank tho Lord rye got some
thing TO do, something that's worth
doing" shc whispered savagely. III
can't have what want. I can make
my iifo embrace something m or o
than Just food and clothes and 30
ciai trifiins. II had TO cit and walt
for each day to bring what IL would.
believe ia go clean mad"
A maid interrupted these self.com.
muninEs TO say that some one had
called her over the telephone. and
Stella went down to the library.
She wasn't prepared for the voice
that came over the line. but Ehe
recognized Il instantly as Fyfc's.
Listen, Stella" he said. I'm
sorry this has happened, but I can't
very well avoid II now. without
causing comment. had no choice
about coming 20 Vancouver. IL was
a business matter couldn't neglect
And as luck would have II. Abbey
ran into me az ] got off the train.
on account Of your being there, Of
course, he insisted that ! come out
for dinner. I'm look queer. II
don't. as I can't possibly get a re.
turn train for the Springs before
$50 this evening. accepted with
out suffering rather than leave any
chance for the impression that
wanted to avoid you. Now. here's
how propose TO fix II. I'll come
out about 2.30 and pay a hurry.up
five minute call. Then I'll excuse
myself 10 Mrs. Abbey for inability