The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-04-06

He thought OF the so.ns "a IA.
Eot Inks with Dorothy, and a Shiv,r
OF dissaste shook him. lie has meyer
dreamed that she cared for him tina,
ne Was ny more to her than sh,
was to hih--and at FIRST he had been
sorry Tor her. and ashamed Of his
own Shortsishtednossz. Then n, had
grown angry and disgustrd
The room secmed suddenly unboar.
ably raffocatnx. and he went out
again into tho street.
Ito walked about All ptrht uptIl
wesried out. he turned back home
and flung himself. dressed as he ~as
on the bed.
CHATTER Xxx.
lie woke with a raeking headache
and nerves like wire thai IA stretohed
to snapping point
HIS head WAS unbcaraha. and.
feeling "a II the pain would drive
hun mad. he took his hat and went
out after dinner.
From her window Marie saw him
go down the street
IL was very quiet. and she siipp~d
downstairs and out OF the hous.
without being seen
IL was almost dark now, and
nobody noticed her a. she went down
the road and hailed a taxlcab.
She gave tho driver Feather-' nd
dress In Albany st. then sat back In
corner. trembling and shaking In
every limb.
The dcor OF Feathers sitting room
stood open. and he was standing at
the table In his old tweed Jacket.
packing some papers away In A boz.
-Mr. pakcrsr'
Mrs. i.awlexsi Good heavensi L.
anything the matterr'
He drew her into the rom and
closed the door.
"chris7 Where Is her" he asked
hoars-iy.
1--WE told him can't iiv. with
him any more" She broke down
into siifled robbing. i've done my
bcst-you know I have---and now n's
finished We had q dreadful scene
last nigh, and I can't 80 back
to him axain-~i can't
Feathers interrupted gently.
But you love him. My dear,
know that ycu have always loved
him"
Marie looked M. the tears We, on
her checks. her sobbinx suddenly
quiet. "Do you know whit I told
him. she asked. ard then. as he
did no, answer. sh. added In a wills.
per. Il told him that l loved you.
II seemed 10 Feathers as II all the
world stood stlli IN that moment--as
IL he and Mario were alone In a great
silence. looking Into one anothcr's
eyes.
do you know what II means.
Mari.' DO you realize that you will
break Miss chcs;-r's heart. and ruin
your husbands nfc- Do you know
what everyone win say OF you and
me-
She drew her hand away.
You mean d. all this means q.
that you don't love mer-
III I loved you less I should no,
try to send you away
And suddenly Featherr strength
gave way. He gathered her into his
arms as n he could never let her TO-
He kissed her hair ana the uRiy
bruise that had broken him down.
He Kissed her hands and the uncon.
scious face that rested against his
shabby coat.
And even ~ he held her Feathers
felt her stir IN his arms. ard tho
nuttcring Of her breath. and he re-
leased her n little. Watching the color
creep back into her face with pas
sionate cyca
Then her lids nfsed. and she saw
him bending over her.
Her head WINS on his shoulder. his
cheek pressed TO hers. Presently she
raised herself. and put her arms
round hts neck.
AR. you uuite-auise hsppy- she
whispered The grip OF his arms left
her brrashless ns he answered.:
Il never believed In heaven-tili
now" She rubbed her soft face
against the rough tweed OF his coat.
He put his lips TO hers In n long
KISS: he kissed her hand and slender
wrists.
ITS goodnight. them She lifted
her face like child 10 kiss him.
Good night tin tomorrow. she said.
And then :, ="
He kissed the words from her lips
lie kissed her agnin on IN. dark
stairs. very humbiy and reverently.
and he KEEP, her hand In his M they
walked together along the street.
a.
end OF the street. following her
slowly TN she was safe Indoors.
He went up TO his rooms with
dragging steps There WINS light
shining thru the haifciosed door.
and he supposed vaguely that he
mus, have left IL burning when he
went cut.
He pushed open the door. and saw
Chris sitting In the chair where 80
short n time ago he had held Marie
in his arms.
CHAPTER XXI
There was a moments silence.
then Feathers went forward.
"Huiio-' he eaid-
Chris stood up. his shoulders
against the rnantelsheif
"I.ve 70, something To ten you."
he said. I'm telling You bccause
you've always been--bcen my best
friend
There was q little silence, then:
~Yes.- said Feathers hoarsely.
Chris told his story abruptly.
Mrs Heriot went to our place
two days ago. You know Miss Web
Der and 7 were golfing with them
the day before
Yes"
Chris flushed and his eyer wav-
cred
"A damnable incident happened
whom we were down thcre--hiss
Webbcr = He could not 20 on
Feathers nodded
-. -, f.eut fVo,,hfs IN or.