The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-04-07
A Bachelor
Husband
Continued From Yesterday,
by RUBY M. AYRES
Copyright 1874. by W. }. watt . CO

y
Feathers watched him for . mo
ment with beaten eyes. then he said
terklly;
you didnt-didnt care for her
when you were married. Christ ]
thcught-wasn't it-just 20 set the
money!
"ro get what money! he asked
vaguely.
II was told understood-that
the money was left TO your wife
20 your wife alone ! mean, unless
she consented 20 marry you. and
that then then you divided it
Chris laughed mirthlesaly.
Good Lord. Il was the other way
about" he said In a hard voice
Her father was always a crank.
and he never forgave her for not
being boy - that was why he
adopted mo. lie left every farthing
90 me--and knew how proud che
was-kncw she'd never take a shin.
ting II she was told the truth about
tho win. SO - | married her 10
settle Il, II seemed tho best way
out at the time" he added hope
lesrly. Il thought was being
rather clever :. I know now what
a fool l was
Feathers got M slowly and. walk.
Ing across TO Chris. put his hands
heavily on hts shoulders. looking NJ
him with desperate eyes
lis that the truth he. asked
hoarseiy. viii you swear that It's
the truth
Chris stared af him In blank
amaxement.
What on earth 30 you mean
OF course us the truth Ask Mia.
Chester IL you don't believe me-
shes known about II all along. II
was she who first suggested keep.
ins II from Marie 3. Here. l say.
what's the matter--
Nothing I wish I'd known
before. that's all lie laughed
grimly. Aston knight told me a
very different yarn" he broke out
with violence after n moment lie
said that the money had been left
to your wife. which was why you
married htr--and I believed him,
Nv God. what fooir'
Chris was watching him with
angry urystifioation.
II don't know what you're driving
at" he said shortly. But I'm much
obliged TO you for the compliment,
I'm sure Marie hadn't a farthing
when I married her--but I settled
half Of verifying on her on our
wedding day"
Feathers turned his white fsca
why didn't you tell her the
truth he asked with difficulty.
NO rood ever CONES of lying and
snbtsrfuss and dec~it = lie
laughed xrimly at his own words
Il don't know that Il matters
about not telling her. Chris said
wretchedfy. -she told me afserward
TIA; she had known all the time.
tho God alone knows who told her. /"
Il DID, said Feathers quietly.
YOU The blood rushed 20
Chrss' faea
1 Tour h ma aeAlm
| Yes. I was talking 70 Ackfns IN
the lounge the first night POO were
married I repeated TO him what
Aston KNIGHT had told me- thai
ycu had married your wife for her
money -. and ahe overheard.
There was . terrible silence.
Chris Understood web enough nov
without further explanations. and
for . moment he saw the world red.
He broke out savxseiy:
Then IT'S you I've got to thank
You. with your damned humbuxgsng
prcterss Of friendship trying 10
steal my wife,
He raised his fist IN blind passion
and Feathers broke out In an
agony.
Chris, for COTS axe
Good night he said gruffy.
FEATHERS held out his hand, but
Chris would not see II. and he went
out, shutting the door hard behind
him
Feathers stood At the window and
listened to his steps dying away
down the street II was the end of
their friendship. he knew. and the
knowledge cut him to the heart
lie waited TIL 10 o'clock tie fol
loving morning and rang Chris on
the phone.
The servant who answered Il aid
that Mr.. Lawiess had gone out
And -- Mrs. LAwle@7" Feathera
asked
"she has gone out. too-for III.
day" she said
II was impossible 10 stop her now
He would have TO go and meet her
as they had arranged last night
He had told her to meet him At 9
little INN on the Oxford road. He
had arranged TO drive the car down
In the evening and take her away
Twice during the morning he
rang Chris again. but each time he
was stiii out and finally Feathers
wrote to him.
He sent the note by . boy who
lived In the house. and went round
TO the garage 20 fetch his car.
Chris woke TO daylight and the
tramp OF feet on tho road outside
He started up and stood listening
ana shaking IN every limb.
He knew what It meant--they
were bringing Feathers in
The innkeeper's wife came tiptoe
Ing TO him across the little landing
as he stood looking out OF the win.
dow on to the road She had been
up with Marie all night, and whis
pered to him now that she had
fallen asleep.
such lovely sicep. bless herr
she said. with pride. And IL you
was to be very quiet -
No more words were needed
Chris went past her and into The
room where Marie lay.
II love you. I love you he said
aloud. as IL she could hear. but che
did not move or stir. and presently
be went away again.
The doctor came again, and wns