The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-09-23

CHEEKY manner.
This n an old friend of mine
Teddy Fergcrson- Many's the thrash
ting he's given me when we were
boys at school. You wouldn't think
Il 20 look at him now. chr"
The faint smile dcepened. the
small fingers holding Frrgerson's re-
turned hts pressure family.
you don't mind my coming 20 SEQ
your he asked her. lie sat down
in a chair Mrs. Fowler brought for.
ward. II had 10 come 10 the village
on business. and DR.. Myers told me
about you. hope you are better
Her eyes seemed to search his face
eonsideringiy
Are you dcctorr" she asked.
Myers laughed.
mot he. He's an old rascal Of n
lawyer. Don't be surprised II you're
called upon TO pay six-and-eight.
pence for this visit Miss Dean"
Mrs. Fowler shook her head re
provingiy.
"You always win have your joke.
doctorr'
Myers rose from the bed. Tie
signed 20 the woman to follow him
from the room. Old Fergerson could
hear them talking together outside
the door.
Resale gave . little impatien,
sigh.
They're taking about me- she
49, or .s,l.<
ton. Il wish they would let me
hear what they say. am not
afraid
Il hope you win soon be wen and
about again. sand Mr.. r'ergeron.
A sort OF srasm convulsed her
face
II don't want 70 get wen.- she
said. Hcr slim fingers plucked at
the quilt ncrvcusly. "oh. n they'd
only let me der
There was n passion Of intensity
IN her voice. Old Fergerson felt a
sudden tightening In his throat.
You mustn't say that" he an.
swered. gently. IT'S not fair TO your
friends. It's not kind to want TO die
when you know there are people
who win miss you and be sorry
There Is nobody who would miss
me. or be sorry"
She spoke quietly. not as n seek.
ing sympathy. but In the voice OF
one who merely states an indisputa-
bic fact.
NO oner" echoed Mr.. Fergerson.
Not a father. or brother. or even
n iover7"
He hated himself for the question.
and yet his whole being burned 20
know what place IN her heart or
thoughts abe had given TO young
Roderick.
A sudden flush ran over her white
face. tears started 10 her eyes. big
drops trickied down her thin cheeks.
There Is nobody she said. with
a sob.
Poor little giri-' HIS hand
sought hers again: he held u. gently
stroking her fingers At that mo-
mcnt he felt as n he almost hated
young Britor for his hearticssness:
first for having married this child
at all and secondly for the way ne
had taken II for granted that ehe no
longer wished TO urge her claim on
him.
IF you get werl.- he said. graveiy.
you have 30 much Of life before
you. Why. you've hardly begun TO
live yet Please God. there are many
happy days In store for you yet
She iaughed--a pitifui little laugh
that broke on . sob.
Happy dayx with sherneyr-
who Is sherney1- Old rerserson
dlmly remembered hearing the name
from Rorie.
She explained with = Little shsver.
"He calls himself my guardian:
he's the manager Of the ciucus.-
"Ah- Old Feryerson remembered
now. ''You do not want TO go back
to the circus?" he asked
II would rather die she said
Fergerson looked At her silently:
her voice carried the stamp OF truth.
In his heart he told himself IL would
be the best way out-for them ALL
II she could have her wish.
DR.. Myers came back Just then.
He Laid . hand on the lawyers
shoulder.
Are ron readyr'
Yes Old Fergerson rose to his
feet with sort Of guilty haste. He
said eood-by to Rosaiic and walked
out to the little front garden. His
mind was in a turmoil. He knew
that his duty was to go straight back
TO London and tell Rorie that his
wife was stu living: and. yet--sup-
posing she had died. after all?
Driving back In the brougham he
asked the question. rs the little
IT,