The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-07-10

fte e&Iutud shAfpN IN frtutu. anu
turned again TO those under his par
sonsl charge.
Get into the car he said Mary
Case felt his hand steadyinx her
arm. lie took his place at tho steer,
ing wheel. Wild Gardner alongside.
Annie and herself being LEFT TO the
rear seat Of the tonneau. IL was
reckless driving that Doctor Allen
RArnes did once more, They outran-
the approaching valley storm. and
81 presently came snto the gate OF
that place where once had lived sim
Gage. They diSmounted from the
car and stood. forlorn group, look.
Ing At the scene before them as fu-
neral mourncrs returning. not liking
the thought of going into a deserted
home from which n man Is gone
never 10 return
All at once Annie Squircs. usually
ssolid. now overstrained. gave way
90 Wild sobbinx. Il can't so m
there she said I'm scared I
want TO 30 home. want my
mother. that's what I want"
where Is your MOTHER asked
Wild Gardner. lie had come over
near 90 her when Doctor Barnes
wAs helping Mary into the house
.'DcAd-dead long aso." wept An
ME. when was a little girl. Lake
her. Mary. there-wc didn't neither
Of Us ever have a mother. We done
Just tho best ", could. both Of us
We've tried and tried to find some
sort of place whore We belonged.
and we couldn't. We haven't got any
place TO 20 to. haven't got a place
on earth to call my homo
And It's something woman
wants sometimes" she added after a
while. dzbbing her wet handker-
chief against her eyes. That's the
Gawd's truth"
Wild approached more closely the
weeping girl. touching her arm with
. brown hand now gentle as
child's
Now look-a-hcre.- said he Il
can't stand to hear you 80 on that
way. Do you reckon you was ever
any loncsomer fer a home than what
i am. living out here all my hfc7-'
And now I'm worse Off than I
ever was before" he went on frown-
ingiy. Il didn't know nothing DO
fore you come out here. But now l
do. I can't think Of your going
back. Annie"
She did not answer him. bat went
on weeping.
Whats more. 7 Amt a-going To
stand H." he added savageiy. 7
Amt srgoing to let you go back
artail- Talk about homei-therc's a
homo right aerosst the fence. We
can make II any way, we like. TN
- TO start with. anyhow. Here's
whore you bciong--you don't belong
hack these IN them dirty cities You
Belong right out herewith me-
Il Couldn't can't said Annie
- couldn't let her go back aloha I
cot to take care OF that KID
she Amt blind no more said
Wd- But she don't have 20 go
Aek' This here place where We
stand b hers. Amt it7 What more
Secs she WANT And we'd be right
here. too. all the time. 20 help her
and watch her. wouldn't We. now1''
You don't know her. said Annie
oauires. Il do
But. Annie" he went on. you'd
ought 10 see this OUT here In the val
Icy when the spring comes It's
green. all green! The sage has got
i've different colors Of green In Il
you wouldn't think that. would
you And some blue. And you Amt
sren the mountains yet when they're
white with snow on them-thats
sonething you rot 20 see fer 20
know what a mountain h. And look
~ that little creek-tt's plumb gen
tie Up here. Amt III It's pretty.
here. You ought 20 see the moon
HIGHT on the meadows when the moon
b FULL was telling you about that.
Annie
4 Amt never been married in my
HE" be went on. arguing now. Il
Amt never seen a woman that
loved or looked at tsicet but you.
] was too damn larry 10 care anyway
about anything TN seen you. I
Just beend rifting and foolinK along
But now ! amt Why. Annie. I
reckon all the time was home
sick. and didn't know a. But l tell
you IL wouldn't be no home unless
ypu was In II with me. Amt ~ 20
ask you to run II fer me hut I do
IL was the ancient story. even told
direct IN the open. uuwhlspercd
even told nov. az such an hour ana
place She did not answer a. all.
but her sobblng had ceased He
stood stlll frowning. booking At her.
his hat pushed back from his fore
head
2 Il can't say no more'n have" he
concluded Years and years. An.
ME. Wouldnt Il settle a heap OF
things1~
Il got 20 have some sort Of time
10 think things over. haven't I.
Them She spoke with apparent
venom. as tho this was an affront
That had been Offered her.
All you want" Eaid Wild Gardner
gently. Tive done my own think
ing. know"
I've got To 20 In and get them
folks something 10 eat. haven't n"
said Annie. using her apron on her
eyes It's going 70 be about the
last time all Of us'il ever eat to-
.Gcther any more"
We'll. we can invite them over.
sometimes. can't we. Annie7- said
Wid Gardner calmly. And he kissed
her brazenly and in the open
CHAPTER xxx.
Mrs. Davidson's Conscience
II was fall. and the flame Of tho