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


conventions and let us both out I
called YOU 80 you won't be taken by
surprise. DO you mind7"
"Of course not" she answered In
stantly. why should II"
There was momentary silence.
Well" no said at last. 81 didn't
know how you'd feel about n. Any.
way. II will only be for "A few min.
utoH. and it's unlikely TO happen
again"
Stella put the receiver back OF
the hook and looked at her watch.
II lacked quarter of two. In the
room adjoining. Charlie and Linda
were jubilantly wnding thru the
latest rag" song In a pussable so
prano and baritone. with Mrs. Alb.
hey listening In outward resignation.
Stella sat soberiy for a minute.
then Joined them.
Jacks In town. she informed
them piacidly. when the ragtime
rpasm ended. lilo telephoned that
he was going TO snatch "a few min.
utes between important business
confabH 10 run out and see me"
II could have told you that half
an hour ago. my dear" Mrs. Abbey
responded with playful archners.
mir. Eye will dine with us this
evening"
oh Stella feigned surprise.
why. he spoke OF going TO Vie
torla on the afternoon boat He
gave me the impression OF mad
matchmaking n dash out here be.
tween brcathH. aa you might say"
"Oh, l hope he won't be called
away on 'such short notice as that.
Mrs Abbey murmurcd politely.
She left the room presently. Out
OF one corner OF her eye Stella saw
Linda looking at her queerly. Char.
lie had turned 90 tho window. star.
ing az the blue blur OF tho Lions
across the Inlet.
Its wonder Jack would leave
the lake" he said suddenly. with
things the way they arr. I've been
hoping for rain ever since I've been
down. IN be glad when we're on
the spot again. Linda"
Wishing for rain7" Stella echoed
"why7"
Fire. he said shortly. II don't
suppose you realize II. but there's
been practically no rain for two
months. It's getting hot A few
weeks OF dry. warm weather. and
this whole country In ready 10 blow
away. The woods arc like n pile OF
ahavlngn. That would be a fine
wedding prcsent--,o be cleaned on,
By fire. Every dollar i've gots in
timber"
Don't b. a p.ssimist." Linda said
sharply.
What makes you 70 uneasy
now7- Stella asked thouxhtfuliy.
There's always tho fire danger In
the dry montha That's been a bug.
aboo ever since came 10 the lake.
Yes. bu; never like II Is this
summer" Benton frowned. "oh.
well. no use borrowing trouble !
suppose"
Stella rose.
when Jack comes. III BE- IN the
library" shs said I'm going TO
read n WHILE
But the book she took up lay Idle
In her lap. She looked forward 10
that meeting with a curious mix.
ture OF reluctance and regret. She
could not face IL upmoved. No wo-
man who has ever lain passive in
a mans arms can ever again look !
into that mans eyes with genuine |
indifference. She may hate him |
or love him with a degree OF lntens. |
ity according to her nature. be |
merely friendly. or nurse a slow re.
sentiment. But there is always that /
Intangible something which differ. |
en,ia,es him from other men. Stella
felt now a Ehyncss OF him, little |
dread OF him. less surencss OF her.
self. as he swung out OF the ma |
chine and took the house steps with |
that effortlcSs IiEhtness on his feet /
that she remembered so well.
She heard him In the hall, his /
deep voice mingllng with the thin,
penetrating tones Of Mrs. Abbey. |
And then tho library door opened /
and he came In. Stella had risen.
and stood uncertainty at one corner
of a big reading table. depressing /
an impulse TO fly. finding herself
stricken with strange recurrence
OF the feeling she had first dislikcd /
him for arouslng in hcr--a sense OF
needing TO be on her guard. OF i'm.
pending assertion OF a will infinite
ly more powerful than her own.
But that was. she told herself,
only a state OF mind. and F'yfe put /
her quickly at her ease. He came
up TO the table and seated himself
on the edge of 1t an arms length
from her. swinging one foo, free
lie looked at her intently. There
was no shadow OF expression on his
face. only in his clear eyes lurked
a CLEAN OF feeling.
Wen. lady" he said at length.
you're looking fine. How goes
everything"
Fairly we'll" she answered.
Seems odd, doesn't H. 70 meet /
like this?" he vcntured. I'D have |
lodged II, II It had been polite. Az
IL IL. there's no harm done. I i'm. |
agine. Mrs. Abbey assured me we'd
W INV iN'Ai hRAADhs "a iut
exceedingly cordial dame had an
inkllng OF how things stand be.
tween us. daresay she'd be holding
her breath about now"
why do you talk like that. |
Jack7" Stella protested nervously.
"Well. have 10 say something
he remarked, after n moments re.
Election. 81 can't sit here and Just
look Mt you. That would be rude, |
not TO say embarrassing.
Stella bit her lip.
II don't SEQ why we can't talk |
like any other man and woman for
n few minutes" she observed.
81 do" he said quietly you
know why, too. II you stop to think. |