The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-10-06

any description. came within her
daughters reanh. Roris would once
more be discarded.
Lillian drummed her white fingers
ON the window pane. "f hate the
country" she said. fretfully. II
don't know why We ever came here.
Nothing but hare trees 10 see-noth.
Ing 10 do-snd only about one post
day"
She turned inpaiientiy away. and
began pacing tho long room.
III. ought 60 have answered my
letter. she burst out again. I'm.
pulsiyeiy. Three days since I wrote
DO YOU think he Ia mr.
mo. arm quite sure he IL not. "
said Mrs. Fame. plaeldiy. IL never
knew a nero healthy young man"
She turned over the Newspaper she
had been vainly trying 10 read. with
a little impatient gesture. Lillian was
getting on her nerves badly.
There were decided drawbacks "a
being the mother OF beautiful
daughter: Mrs. rans seemed 90 dis
cover freuh ones each day.
Lillian had reached the window
again: as shs stood looking into the
windswept garden IN. gate clicked
She swung round with q rush OF
color In her cheeks For moment
she thought II might be Rorie. abe
had been expecting him every
moment OF the past three days. She
could not believe that abe had lost
the ardent boy lover whose heart
she had done her best to break. She
was a vain woman. and vain women
ind II hard 20 believe that they can
ever be dethroned.
A man was coming up the long
drive: she could catch . glimpse OF
his figure between ths thick shrubs
on either side.
Was II Roffef Was TT Her heart
almost seemed to stop beating as she
waited. for him TO round tho bend
her racing pulses died down sicken.
ingiy when at last he came into full
view.
lie was . middie-sixcd. common.
looking man. and he wore a shabby
overcoat with an astrachan collar.
and silk hat In tho shape OF some
years back. lie looked up at the
house with bold eyes as he walked.
when he saw Lillian n haf.smiie
curved his thin lips.
There IL such . common. looking
man coming here. mother" said
Lillian. disgustediy.- Il wonder what
he wants. Somebody We owe money
to. think. such impudencer'
Since the death OF Bartlett ouerns.
Lillian had given herself airs with
the people TO whom before she had
ainiost cringed.
Mrs. Fame did not look up: she
gave a little exclamation.
How terribly sad. Lillian, Look
at this. There's actually been a
murder down In Rorie's village. This
Doctors wife. Poor thingl found
shot In field. Roric's name il men.
toned. too. see.''
"Roric's namer' Lillian turned
sharply enough now. and snatched
the paper from her mothers hand
She read the paragraph eagerly;
q pucker OF anxiety between her
eyes. Rorie was only mentioned a.
having assisted In tho sllnigh,
search. She threw IL aside.
Il suppose that's why he hssn',
written. Who was this Mrs. Myers
wonder7 He never mentioned her
to me-" Her selfish heart was torn
with pang OF jealousy.
Someone tapped at the door, a
maid entered. There's someone 70
see Miss Lillian: he won't give his
name. but he says that he's come
from Mr.. Briton."
There was littls silence: mother
and daughter looked at one another
From Roriel" Mrs. Fame rose 10
her feet.
1T must be some mistake: say wa
are not at home"
Nonsense. another. ! wish 10 se.
him. 1t may be something impor.
tant."
Lillian spoke eagerly; she gave a
hasty glance at herself In the glass
Even common man with an astra
chan collar TO his coat might have
an eye for beauty.
When tho door reoponed TO admit
him she was sitting In a deep chair
a blue cushion behind her beautiful
head. Mrs. Fame stood by the man
telshelf. She looked. and felt, rather
III at ease.
"Mr. Sherney. please. ma'am."
sherney came into tho room, hal
In hand. He looked at the two WON
en- and gave an exaggerated bow
When he spoke he addressed Lii
Ian.
''Miss--Fane7"
"Yes. You are from Mr.. Brfton 90
Lillian's eyes Travelled contemptu
ously over his person. She thought
she had never seen a more common.
looking man. a little shiyer OF aver.
sion swept thru her. She sat up
almost defensively.
Sherney smiled.
From Mr.. Briton. yes. But--er---
on quite private matter" He
glanced at Mrs. Fame.
Mother, Mr.. Sherney wants to
speak TO me alone