The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-01-03

tWern Huent iuUCU0Vu w WV
gloomy old diningrcom when nobody
seemed able either TO eat OF speak.
and dreadful dinner hour whom
Miss Cannon sobb~d unobtrustvsly.
Warren and Rachael talked In low
toncs. aud the chairs at the head
and foot Of the table wore untsu.
anted.
Only . day or two later his grand.
mother followed him. and Rachael
and her husband went thru the
sombre days like two persons In an
Oppressive, dream. Great svisf they
DID not naturally feel. for wArren's
curious self absorption extended even
10 his rcia tionship with his mother.
and Charlie had always been one
Of the unnecessary. unimportant figs
ures Of which there are = few In
cvcry family. But the events isfs
a lasting mark upon Rachaers life.
shc had grown really 10 love the old
woman. and had felt q certain pity.
ing affection for Charlie. too. lie
had been n good. gentle. connidsrate
boy always. and II was hard 10 think
Of him AZ going before life had really
begun for him.
On tho morning Of the day he died
an incident had occurred. or rather
two had occurred. that even then
filled her with vague discomfort. and
that she was 70 remember for many
days 10 come.
She had been crossing the great.
dark entrance hail. lat. IN the morn.
ing. on ron,c crrand to the telephone.
or 20 tho service department Of the
house. her heart burdsned BY the
sombrc shadow 81 death that already
lay upon them all. when the muffied
street door beii had rung. and the
butter. red eyed. had admitted tvo
women. Rachael. caught and rciuct.,
ansiy CHANGING toward them. had
been surprised TO recognize Chariotts
Haviiand and old Fanny.
~Chariotsrr' shs said. coming
toward tho girl. And II her low,
tense tone. Charlotte had begin vol
cry.
Aunt Rachasi~--ths old uams
came naturally altar seven years.
you'll think I'm crazy coming hare
this way"--Chariottc, as always. was
yus,ifying her shy little efforts at
iiyins--'but Nina was busy. and
the old. nervous gasp--and u
seemed only friendly to come and
and inquire
Don't cry. dearr' said Raehacl's
rich. kind voice. sho put \ hand
upon CHARACTERS shoulder. Did you
want 20 ask for Charisef''
II know how odd. how very odd. u
must look" said Charlotte. rnanag.
Ing wet smile. and my crying
perfectly absurd--i can't think why
I'M 70 silly
"we've all been pretty near cry.k
ing. ourselves. this morning" RAch-
ael .ald. not looking at her. but
rather seeming 10 explain to the sym.
pathetic yet piessurabiy thrilled
Fanny. ''Dcar boy. he h very ~.
Doctor Hamilton has just been here
and he tells us frankly that " II
only a question OF few hourr
now
At this poor Charlotte tried to
compose her face 10 the merely sor'
rowful and shocked expression OF a
pcrson justified in her friendly con.
Germ. but succeeded only In giving
Mrs. Gregory quivcring look OF
mortal hurt.
Il was afraid So" shc stammcrcd
'Eifrida Hamilton told me
I was so--sorry---"
Rachael began TO perceive that this
WINS a great adventure. tragic ana
heroic initiative for Charlotte. Poor
rodeyed behind her strong
glasses. the bloom Of youth gone
from her face. wns perhaps touch
ing this morning. the pinnacle 81 tho
few strong emotions her life was 10
know.
How we'll did you know Charlie,
dearf" asked Rachael when Fanny
was for the moment out OF hearing
and they were In tho warm, rep
drapcd reccption.room. she had
asked Charlotte to alt down. but
Charlotte nervousiy had said that she
could stay but another minute.
"Ob, r.n.not very well. Aunt
Rachacl--thnt ". we didn't see each
other often. since"--Rachael knew
since when, and liked Charlotte for
the clumsy substitutc--"since Biiy
was married. know Charlie called.
but Nina didn't tell me until weeks
later, and then we were on inc
ocean. We met now and then, ana
once he telcphoned. and ] think no
would have liked In see me. put
Nina felt 40 strongly---thcre was no
way. And then last summer-we
h.h.happened to meet. he and j. a.
Jane Cooks wedding, and we had
quite n talk. knew Nina would
be angry. but 1t just seemed as "
couldn't think Of II then. Ana We
talked OF the things we liked. you
know. the sort OF house we both
liked--not like other peoples
houses Charlotte's plain young
face had grown bright with the roc.
objection, but now her voice sank
lifelessiy again. But Nina made
me promise never 10 speak TO him
again. and OF course promised"
she said duly. u
II see" Rachael was silent
There seemed to be nothing TO say.
81 suppose couldn't--speak TO
him moment. Aunt RachaelY'
Charlotte was scarlet. but she got
the words out bravely.
ooh, my dear. he wouldn't know
you. He doesn't know any OF us
now. Ho just lies there. sometimes
sighlng q little