The Washington times., 1920-07-18
(conrrusd from Preceding Po0eJ

SquaIely Dult' WIN Cnin tndt
spoke OF a will-power strangely at
variance with the roguish eyes that
laughed out from beneath the level
brows.
"And so. OF course. Stella
the little lady was speaking, and
the man came back TO earth with
start.
I'm sorry, Mrs. Benham. ] didn't
hear what you said-I was watch
ing the children" he lied. The
little one with the plaid sash has
lost her nurse You we're SAYING
Mrs Benham rescued her ball OF
cotton from the kitten and placed
q beside her on the table.
7 was saying, Robert, that Miss
Foster was taken i'll very suddenly,
and Stella has to play her part till
the end of the run. ! thought she
telephoned to you. Perhaps she for
got; she is very excited, and there
is SO much TO learn in
There came the rattle OF a key
in the outer lock and the drawing
room door was burst open and
whirlwind entered-a storm OF
muslin and flowers and smiles.
"Oh, mummy, II went splendidly!
Old Mosenthal says-why Bobby,
I expected you TO meet me. Oh,
forgot, couldn't get on to your
number. I'm crazy, Bobby, crazy
with happiness"
Robert had risen and was lead
ing the radiant girl to the chair he
had vacated. She threw herself
into II and famed herself with her
long gloves. Mrs. Benham was
handing the kettle to the trim maid
who had followed her young mis-
tress into the room.
"And so you have got your
chance, Stella" An observant man
might have noticed a lack OF en-
thusiasm in Roberts voice.
mo, Bobby. I've got the chance
OF a chance If all goes we'll to-
night I'm made, Bobby, made. The
world will-why. what's wrong?"
The young man was leaning for
ward and looking up into the lovely
gray eyes
I'm glad. Stella, that you are
so happy, but
You're thinking of my promise
my answer, Bobby
Morning, noon and night, dear.
You see. I wouldn't like you just to
taste the delights of power, TO in
hale the incense Of applause. fou
might not feel inclined to leave it
all-for me"
The girl turned and looked out
over the gardens. She took hold
Of the cool muslin curtain and
pressed it against he? not cheeks
Don't you think so. tco. Ste''a'"
"Oh, Bobby. vCu k~ow 7 think
the world of you-vor 'tnNw | do.
But my art. lo-l that. too
Life is such a little thing, isn't it?
and ! do want TO O. I'm so much
into il and squeeze 80 much out OF
it. Why can't | give YOU my an
swer-and act as well?'
hCDGIC LOOK llt SUM !l'llc NdhuS
between his own
"Becausa darling in nv business
have seen so much. Strengthened
out So many matrimonial crea&es.
The slase plavs q part IN lot OF
maria ses nowadays; they begin IN
showers Of roses and end in
No Stella. woman should f1nd her
applause in the look Of her hus-
band. in the love-light in the eyes
Of her children; she should have
no other life but that--thev should
be all that matters. What should
Won care-what do you care-foI
the strangers who cape at you and
clap their silly hands together
vhv should you please them?"
Stella Benham rose suddenly.
Her head was again turned to the
gardens and a flush had spread
over her white neck and rebellion
clouded the gray eyes.
Nov, you're lecturing me. Rob
ert: | won't stand it to-day OF all
days. I'm going to cry in a minute
-and-and-I think you're hor
rid
It was all said in breath, there
was a swish of skirts and Robert
Baxenter was alone.
He remained where he was, gaz.
ing moodilv out over the gardens.
II was now all but dark, and the
last Of the tiny jewellers were be-
ing escorted homeward by their
nurses The block Of flats facing
him across the trees was silhou-
cite of purple shadow, in which lit
tie squares Of soft radiance were
twinkling out one by one. How
long he sat there he did not know,
but he was aroused from his rev.
erie by taxi drawing up at the
door below him. It waited a mo.
ment. its engines throbbing, then
swung across the road, backed, and
with a warning note on the hooter
made off quickly in the direction
OF London.
Robert turned TO find Mrs. Ben.
ham standing by his chair.