The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-09-17

sically. mot a smile for'-you hus
bandls
The startled blood rushed 10 her
face. tears wclled into her eyes.
"oh. are YOU surc-rure you'n
never be sorry7' she asked pitcously.
Tim 50 afraid. never thought Of
II before. but you're a gentleman.
and I'm only oniy-just nobody
Young Briton laughed.
he truthful and call me beg.
gar" he said. with forced cheerful
ness. And won't have you say
that my wife is-just nobodyr' He
shook her playfully. I'm proud that
you've trusted me enough 10 marry
me; you shan't ever regret II. Rosa
lie. Were going 10 be ever such
good pals. You wait tlll tomorrow,
when I've go, you all TO myself"
But she did not smile. Two bis
tears fell from her eyes and splashed
on to the shabby coat she wore,
she looked at him with q sort OF
fierceness.
tiff ever thought you were
sorry" she said: IF ever thought
you wcre-ashamed Of me--I'd--I'd
XIII myself
Young Briton was shocked; there
was such earnest Intensity In her
voice--sueh determination In her
eyes.
Il won't have ron tan like that
he burst ont. angrily. Tive not
given you any reason for H. T.
rherel-we won't quarrel on our
wedding day. Let me look at your
ring. Mrs. Br1ton.-
lie raised her hand-such a thin.
trembling little hand. on which the
gold wcdding ring hung loosely.
II was like a game-a horrible
farce As young Briton locked al
her he felt weighed down with
shame and remorse. what had he
donel What endless store of trouble
and unhappiness had he In a momen,
OF selfish madness laid up for him
self. and herf
Foot foor The word seemed
shouted at him by myriads Of voices
across the windswent country: he
SGT his teeth. he shut his ears to
the hooking cry which would not be
siienced--he dropped his wife's hand
suddenly.
II shall hate myself II you look
at me like that he said. roughly.
He took an agitated step away from
her. "It isn't fair: you haven't given
me a chance. II IL you who are sorry
that nc are married.
He stammcrcd the words angrfiy;
his own fear and pain drove him
TO accuse her--he did not know that
something OF the truth he believed
he was hiding rushed from bis heart
straight to the heart Of the girl who
faced him. white faced and trem-
bling. II was tragic moment--then
she moved towards him suddenly.
She laid her hands ON his shoulders.
she stood on tiptoe 70 bring herself
nearer hts level.
whatever happens she said.
you married me-whafcver hap
pens And she kissed him
Singing tears smarted suddenly IN
young Briton's eyea He felt
nshamed-humIliasc
Il win be good to you. I wfTi Be
good to you." he starnmered out
suddenly. with boytsh iupuisiveness.
and. bending his tall head. he gave
her her kiss again
The rain had cleared Off N he
drove back alone thru the village:
q splash Of pale sunlight broke thru
be clouds. and turned the little
puddles In The road to gold: q flock
OF fluffy yellow ducklings splaahcd
and chartered In the gutter.
Scott. the wooliy shecp-do came
bounding down the drive to meet
him: Blunt stood In the open door.
way.
Mr.. Fcrycrson wishes 10 see you.
Mr.. Rorie. It's very important
Rorfs paied; he had meant 10 write
TO old Fergerson and tell him what
he bad done-the life he had mapped
out for himself. II would have been
fairly easy TO write; It seemed all at
once an utter impossibllity to explain
By word Of mouth.
''fs be In the lfbraryr
Yes. sir. he come list after you'd
gone. sir. and said he would walt"
Roric hung up his coat mechani-
cally and wiped his boots on the mat
with great deiiberation; they were
not In the least dirty. but he felt as
IL he must gain time. Blunt lowered
near.
II suppose you haven't seen the
hunchback chap aRain7y asked Rorie
carelessly. He was not In the least
Interested to know. but It was some
thing TO say.
Blunt frowned
He was hanging about again this
morning. sir: and after you'd gone
out. Mr. Roric, he actually had the
impudence to cali at the front door
and ask for you. Said 1t was most
particular"
''ohr' Rorie laughed. what did
you sayy'
II told him you was out. Mr..
Rorie."
Hump
lie said he knew that. He eaid
he'd seen you go, sir. and he wanted
to know when you'd be back and
where you'd gone--such inpudcnce.
set Scott on him. Mr.. Rorie, and
that's the last I've seen OF him.
What shall I say N he calls again.
sir7"
Rorie hesitated: there was fierce
light In his eyes.
You can tell him. he said then.
deliberately, that I'm sailing tonior.
row afternoon for Australia"
Mr.. Rorie! slrr' Old Blunt's
rudy face paled. his mouth dropped
open. You're not I'm earnest. sir?r
II am" said Rorie. He turned on
his heel and walked towards the
study. leaving Blunt staring piteous-
w after him.
CHAPTER vi
Rodcrick stood for an instant ont.
side the closed study door. his fin.