The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-07-02
|'THE UPHILL ROAD"
I's't H'ss'' "'-s''''' By RUBY M. AYRES

ly1"
yes. thank heaven.- said rerrier'
To one Of the three men. at least.
IL seemed an eternity OF time for
the next week.
Lillian had taken Joan home with
her into surrey. Ferrier had not
seen her for five days
He knelt on the floor In Hastings
bedroom. strapping his bulging hold.
all. Micky and Hastings had both
sooffcd good.naturcdly at his pack
ing. but he laughed unconcernedly.
Hastings sat on the bed and
watched him with cnvious eyes; In
the next room Micky strunmed idly
on the plano.
Hastings spoke suddenly. hoarsc-
ly.
You're a lucky chap
Fcrrier showed the big bay into a
corner. lie looked at the boyish
face which would never really be
young any more. and there was
kindly sympathy In his eyes.
Il wish could say the same to
you" he said. ITS no use telling
you I'm sorry
Hastings walked over to the win.
dow. and stood looking out with
eyes that saw nothing but the
pinched dead face OF the woman he
had loved. In the next room Mleky
began to sing suddenly
Does the road wind uphill all the
way?
Yes. 60 the very end,
WIN the journey take the whole
long day.
From morn TN night. my friend.
Terrier had picked up his coat
from the bed. lie paused irrcsolute.
" with one arm In sleeve. The
music broke off abruptly with a
crash OF disoordant notes. Mlcky's
face appeared round the door. lie
grinned at Ferrier. tho when he
spoke his voice was strained.
Finished the trousseaug Ora.
cious. you both look as sentimental
as a pair OF schoolgirls, Come and
have drink. Poor old Fcrrier--it's
the last he'll get
II Was like Micky 10 joke when he
was shedding tears OF blood in his
own brave heart.
They all three went down TO Sur.
rey together the next morning:
Micky. respondent In new silk
hat tail coat. and spats He told
Ferrier. with a scornful glance at
his lounge suit and SLOUGH hat. that
II was Just as well for some one to
be deccntiy dressed. lie offered 20
bet him that he would be mistaken
for the bridegroom.
II was still early morning when
they reached the little house where
met them at the door, and becaus.
she was a woman. and because she
loved Micky. she was not one whit
deceived by the jaunty angle Of his
hat. and the rose In hts buttonhole.
The wedding was to be very quiet;
there was little church In a coun-
try lane whose doors stood open all
day long. with scarlet peoples and
wide-cyed daisies growing In the
long grass outside.
Il ask you. madam nid Micky.
sIriklIE tnS8trICA nttituIr.
which Of n three looks like the
bridegroom
Il know. ai9 Ferrfer grimly.
(which one feels Ike III Whore 10
JOAN
Lillian answered him
-She went out she said the
house WIS too small TO hold her
happiness She has gone thru the
fields and up the hin"
Ferrier turned on his heel and
STROBE down the road thru the morn.
ing sunshine. The three stood look.
ing after him
Good luck TO him. said young
Hastings generously. with rcsoiuteiy
smiling lips.
Micky met fiiian's grave eyes.
There were tears In them.
Good luck to the best and dear.
cot old chap in the worid.- he said
fiercely. but he Tilted the inmacu.
lately brushed silk hat over his
eyes.
Ferrier met Joan at the top of the
hill.
THE END.