The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-09-26
"PAPER ROSES"
Bv RUBY M. AYRES
,sssssssseeeO An RIshts R,ser

IAN right lie opened the door.
-Whcrc to, sirT''
Roderick did not answer for n
moment. then he flung up his head
with a sort Of rccklcagnesS; he gave
the address in a loud. defiant voice;
"Forty.five ilderslcy Gardens
West"
The taxi sped off thru the warm
might Rorie leaned back In His scat
aud stared out OF the window with
unsceing eyes.
lie did not know what impulse had
made him give Lillian Fane's ad.
dress. lilo knew Il was unlikely that
she would be at home: he was wear
ing morning dress. and great cere-
mony was always observed at lldcrs-
ley Gardens.
hut somehow he did not care;
nothing seemed 20 matter very much.
lie felt as he had done the day when
hts fathers viii had keen read. when
he had dashed Oft TO find Resale. in
hts selfish desire TO secure 10 him
self one friend.
when he found himself on the
Fanes' doorstep sudden unaccount.
able nervousness seized him.
lie had not seen Lillian since that
night she Kissed him goodbye when
old Fergcrscn's wire had summoned
him down to Four Winds 20 his
fathers dSathbed. lie had not an.
swcrcd her letter Of dismissal; had
not even told her OF his renewed for.
tunes.
had kept hirn away. when perhaps
desire might have driven him. but
he had often pictured their meeting
her abandon OF delight when he
told her that there was no longer
anything 10 prevent their marriage.
Marriage' Memory was at her
tricks again: had forced him back
into the little out-of-the way church.
where the autumn leaves blew about
the graves outside. and the chill rain
drops battered down on the tomb
stones like tears. lie could feel the
trembling OF RoSaiie's little hand In
his. hear her timid voice. and the
wheezy responses OF the vergcr from
behind. That had been HIS mar.
rage. all binding. how could he even
contemplate another. with the mem.
ory OF that tragedy fresh In his
hearth
He rang the ben with a furious
hand. He felt somehow afraid Of the
night ans the silent street when
the door was opened he stepped into
the han without waiting TO be asked.
Tho servant knew him. she
looked at him doubtfuiiy. She ad.
mittcd tina, Miss Fana was IN. but
would AFR. Britan please walt until
But Roderick would not wait: he
crossed the haii towards The drawing.
room. As he ncarcd u the door
opened and Lillian Fame herself
stood on the threshold.
She fen back pace when she saw
young Rriton. She gave a little cry
--"Rorie-'
He followed her Into the room. and
shutting the door stood with his
back 10 II.
"You did not expect TO see ma
he said. brcathieasiy.
Ills heart was racng--he was pale
TO the lips.
Mo- She looked 1t him aeruH
tho width OF the rqcm: there was n
little frown between her brows- You
ought not TO have come here. ex-
PINNED In my letter.
Il know. It's not that I've come
for. but 10 ask you a question. Are
you engaged to ouerneY''
There was little silence. lillian
Fame LET the siikcn wrap fan from
her shoulders. II slipped TO the thick
carpet with a pleasant little soughing
sound. She stood there with the
shaded iarnplight playing on her
white bare throat and beautiful
face.
She wore a cllnging trrss OF paiest
amber silk and a cluster OF yellow
hothouse roses at her breast. there
was a golden ornament in her dark
hair. a magnificent diamond star
cleaned La the lace Of her low gown.
Young Briton knew that star: Il was
one OF the many extravagances he
had lsvished upon her In the early
days OF his lnfatuaticn.
She answered him a little haugh-
thy:
Il don't know what you mean by
coming here. and questioning me in
this manner. What Is II TO do with
you " -
He strobe across the room. and
seized her wrists.
Its everything TO do with me. I
love r0tf and ~.ot, "a "a ~ct, foret 49,