The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-10-01
"PAPER ROSES"
By RUBY NJ. AYRES

Reserved sesssessesssseees
an epidemic ur at the bis house
which engaged her husbands time.
Mrs. Fowler looked interested.
"indeedi Dear. dear. what long
time e seems since the old gentle
man diedr'
"Irs only three weeks" said Mrs,
Myers. quickly. "But must nd
nit that never thought Rodcrick
Rriton would come back here to-
live" She was watching Rosalie
closely as she spoke. The girl was
lying with her eyes closed. dark
lashes sweeping the soft checks; but
II Mrs. Myers had expected vome
show OF emotion she was disappoint
ed Perhaps the lips folded a little
more closely. but that was all.
when you're well enough. Rosa
lie." Brenda went on. "I'n take you
for drive past Four Winds. You
really ought 10 see II. It's n lovely
old place. Roderick priton's wife
win be a most fortunate woman"
RoSslie's eyes on.ned slowly. The
faint color In her cheeks seemed
suddenly drained. but Mrs. Myers
was not looking at her now.
Ills wtfefs asked Mrs. Fowler.
interestedly. ia he going 20 be
married. them"
well" Brenda hesitated-. Il
know there was someone IN London
he was very much infatuated with.
but she threw him over. and got
engaged 20 an American. But I saw
in one Of the papers that he was
killed two days ago In n motor 40
cident. 50 ! dare say she'll make II
up with Roderick again now"
Surely Mr.. Briton wouldn't allow
himself 90 be whistisd back like
THAR said Mrs. Fowler contemp-
tuousiy: but Brenda shrugged her
shoulders.
Men are 90 foolish where q wom-
an IL concernedr' she replied. i'm.
portantiy.
She rose. fastening her coat She
glanced at Rosafie. but II almost
seemed as n tho girl had not been
listening. Her blue eyes were fixed
with q SORT OF strained WEAKNESS on
the remaining yellow leaves which
shivered on the tall trees outside
tho window.
when Mrs. Myers spoke 70 her
shs started. as n she had been
reused from sleep.
DIR. Iddicr VIII be down on Fri
day. you know Brenda said. with
her rather old maidish air Of Inn
portancs. Il hope you realize what
. fortunate girl you are 90 be able
70 have such excellent advice"
The words sounded patronizsng.
tho probably they were only mean,
In kindiiness. A flush crcpt into
RoSalie's check. but she answered.
patiently.
"Everyone " very kind"
Mira Fowler went 20 the door with
her visitor. but when she came
back to the little room the tears
were running down Rosaiie's face:
her slender body shook with sobs.
obi my dsari~ what 10 the mat,
teri"
Mrs. Fowler kneis down by the
sofa. her kind face fun Of tender
sympathy.
Ro~aiie iiftsd her weak arms ana
ciasped them around the good won
ans neck.
~ohi Mr.. Fowler. Il shsy would
only let me alons--ouiy let me de
1t would b 10 much kinder 20
sverybody--so much kinder. They
don't know what they are doing"
she sobbed. Enthusiastically.
Mrs. Myers was nearly home when
she met Rodsrick Brtton IN hi. NJ.
tie car. He was driving slowly. and
the big ahecp-dog. Scott. was sit.
ting UP beside him with a great air
OF Importance.
Roderick glanced at Mrs. Myers
casually. and she treated him 20
frtg,d bow. ~ ~ she considered
herself Infinitely his superior; but
her dissatisfied heart contracted
with envy as she looked At the
dainty little car. How mahy times
had she not tried to persuade Ep-
STAGE 20 change the slow cob. and
the stuffy brougham. as she was
pleased TO call n. for a motor,
Rorie acknowledged the bow hur-
riediy He had not recognized the
doctors wife st first He thought
she was looking much older than
he had remembered her. He swung
out Of the village and down the
Bedmund road.
n gave him n curious feeling as