The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-12-06
Continued From Yesterday
CHAPTER NxxI


maj ftts AM
Their night came unheraided.
kennicott was on country call
IL was cool but Carol huddied on the
porch. rocking. meditating. rocking.
The house was lonely and rcpeilent.
and tho she sighed. II ought to SO
IN and resd-so many things to read
Ought to so in" she remained.
suddenly Erik was coming. turning
touching her hand.
-Erikr
Saw your husband driving out OF
town. Couldn't stand II"
well You mustn't stay more
than five minutes"
Couldn't stand not seeing you.
Every day. towards evening. felt I
had TO see you--pictured you SO clear.
I've been good tho. staying away.
haven't r.
"And you must 20 on being good
why must L.
I'VE better not stay here on the
porch. The Howiands across tho
street are such window. peppers. and
Mrs Bogart--s
She did not look at him but she
could divine his trcmuiousness as he
stumbled indoors. A moment ago
the night had been coidly empty
now IL was incaicuiable, hot. treach.
erous. But Il Is women who are the
calm realists once they discard the
Hs13ishes Of the premarttal hunt Carol
was serene as she murmured. Hun
cry, l have some little honey-eoioved
cakes. You may have two. and then
you must skip home.'
Take me up and let me see Hugh
asleep
n don't believe
-Juss slimpser'
"Wtlf--~
She doubtfuliy led the way to the
ballroom nursery. Their heads close.
Ersk's curis pleasant as they touched
her cheek. they looked in At the
baby. Hugh was pink with siumber.
He had burrowed into his pillow with
such energy that u was almost
suno,hersng him. Beside II was
ceIluiold rhinoccrcs: tight In his
hand a torn picture Of Old King
Cole.
'-shhh-' said Carol. quite auto
maticaliy. She tipto~d In 70 pat the
pillow. A. she returned 10 Erik she
had a friendly sense OF his waiting
for her. They smiled at each other.
She did not think OF kennicott. the
haby's father. what she did think
Was that some one rather like Erik.
an older and surer Erik. ought TO BE-
Hugh's father. The three Of them
would play--incredioie imaginative
games.
Carroll You've told me about your
own room. Let me peep in at u.
"But you mustn't stay. not sec-
ond. We must go downstairs"
."yes."
"wili you be good-'
"R.reasonably-' He was pale.
larre-eyei. serious.
-Ycu've got to be more than resr
sonahly rocdr' She felt sensible and
superior. she was energetic about
pushing open the door.
Kennieoss had always seemed out
Of place Their. but Erik surprisingly
harmonixed with the spirit OF the
room as he stroked tho books.
glanced at the prints. He held out
his hands. He came toward her.
She was weak. betrayed to warm
sof,ncss Her head was Tilted back.
Her eyes were closed Her thoughts
were forrniess but many -coiorcd- She
felt his kiss. diffident and reverent.
on her eyelid.
Then she knew that II was Inn
possible.
She shook herself She sprang
from him. 'PIcasey she said sharp
iy-
He looked at her unyielding.
II am fond Of you" she said
~Don't spoil everything Be my
friend"
How many thousands and mil
lions must have said that And now
youl And II doesn't spoil every
Thing. II giorifics everything"
pear. I do think there's tiny
:. streak Of fairy In whatever you
- with t. Perhaps ia have loved
that once. But I won't It's too
late. But I'll keep a fondness for
you. ImpersonaI--I will be imper-
sonai0 II needn't be just a thin
taIky fondness. You do need me.
don't your Only you and my son
need me. I've wanted so to be want
ed, Once wanted love to be given
TO me. Now I'll be content IL I can
give. Almost contenti
I'VE women. we like 70 do things