The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-01-19

could we vo---Long Beach, It's 30
ing TO be sitting hotF'
stay and have lunch with me-
said Msgsie.
II can't today. I'm iunehins
with a theatrical man at Sherry's
/ tell y.ou LIN, In deadly earnest I'm
going 20 break I'M suppose come
here for you at just J. Meanwhile,
you think up some one. How about
Bryan Masters"
AiaRpie made a face.
Well" said Billy. departing. 'yop
think OF some one. and | viii Per
haps the Hoyoes would goa nice
little early party. The worst Of II il.
no ones in town
She ran down stairs and Jumped
into the beautiful car.
"shcrry's. please. Iiungerford. =
said Billy, easily. And then you
might get your lunch. and come for
me sharp at hsifpast two"
The man touched his hat Billy
leaned back against the rich leather
upholstery luxuriousiy. she was abso.
lutciy content. Joe was quiet and
away. dear little old Breek was In
seventh heaven down on the cool
aeashore. and there was a prospect
OF a party tonight. As they rolled
smoothly down town the passing
thrung might well have envied the
complaccnt little figure In conee-col'
ored madras with the big heron
feather in her hat
when Billy was gone. Magsie, with
a thoughtful face and compressed
lips, took two packages OF letters
from her desk and wrapped them
for posting. She fell into deep mus
ing for "A few minutes before she
wrote Rachaei's name on the wrap.
per. but after that she dressed with
her usual care. and carried the pack
age to the elevator boy for mailing.
AZ she came back TO her rooms
caller wase announced and followed
her name into Magsie's apartment al
most Immediately. Magsie. with u
pang Of CONSERVATION, found herself
facing Richie Gardeners mother.
Anna would never have permitted
this. was Magsie's first resentful
thought, but Anna was on vaca-
ton. and the elevator boy could not
be expected 10 discriminate.
Good morning, Mrs. Gardiner
said Magsie. 'you'll excuse my dress
ing all over the place, but ! have no
maid this week. UGw's Richer
Mrs Gardiner was oblivious OF any
thing amiss. She sat down, first re-
moving nlmy scarf OF Magsie's
from a chair. and smiled. the little
muscle twitching smile OF a person
in pain. as IL she hardly heard Mag
sizes easy talk,
Miss Clay" said she. almost snorting
In her violent effort to breathe qui.
city. Doctor doesn't say he gets
worse. but OF course he don't fool me
II know my boys pretty sick"
The agony OF helpless motherhood
was not all lost upon Magsie. even
tho 1t was displayed by large. plain
woman in preposterous clothes.
strangely introduced into her pretty
rooms, and most incongruous fig'
ure there.
what a shamer' she said, warmly.
"It's shame to any one that
knew Rich as did few years ago."
his mother said. There wasn't n
brighter nor n harder child. II
wasn't until we came to this city
that he begun to give way--and what
wonder? TIA kill n horse TO live in
this place. wish to God that l
had got him out of II when he had
that first spell. | may bel don't
know. but ] may be too late now"
Tears came to her eyes. the hard
tears OF n proud and suffering
woman. She took out folded hand
kerchief and pressed II unashamedly
to her eyes. but he wouldn't GO"
she resumed, clearing her throat.
"Hc was going to stay here, live or
die, And, Miss Clay. YOU know
why" She stopped short, a terrible