The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-10-04
"PAPER ROSES"
By RUBY M. AYRES


CONTINUED From Preceding Is~uc)
Rorie came into the room rather
uervously. lie had never called on
pr Myers before He really had no
reason for doing 30 now. except that
he had SGT sick OF playing poker
with his friends. and had made some
abstract appointment his excuse for
leaving them for an hour or so. lie
had passed Myers house. ana en-
tered on the spur Of the moment.
well 90 you're homo again" said
the doctor brecxily. He had ban
ished the clouds from his face. and
stced back 20 the fire. his genial.
hcamlng self once more. Across the
han the shriil singing and thrum.
ming piano had stopped. Roric fidg-
eted: he looked boyishly Apologize.
Yes. You said I might lock you
up." he explained swkwardly. so
here l am"
The doctor nodded: he seemed to
npdcrstand.
PLEASED to zee you Unfortunate
". I've an appointment over at Bed
mund At o'clock. I'm walking
I've had enough Of the broughnm for
today. Don't suppose you'd care to
come along with mo part Of the
wayr-
Il shouid.- answered Rcr'e. eager.
". He felt just In the mood for
tramp. "If shRnt be a nuisance"
Nonsense Myers opened the
door. and came back after . mo
ment. hoisting on his sreat.eoat.
Its not raining. Is ity- he asked
mo.
.sweli. ven make . start than.
RrendAr' He called his wife's name
twice thru the silent hcuse. bur she
aid not answer. and. with a shrug OF
the shoulders. he followed Roris out
Into the gordon.
The two men walked quickly down
! the road. thru the gray shadows. II
was . damp. warm evening. rather
muddy underfoot.
You've got some friends up at
the house." said Myers
yes. some chaps from town. I,
got bit dcady--sione.'
Il dare say" The Doctors eyes
twinkicd- Haven't thought about
taking my advice. yet. supposel"
-Your adviccT"
"Yes-and q wife with r."
Oh" said Rorie. rather griniy:
then after q moment. mo"
There was a sort OF constrsint IN
hls manner. Suddenly he burst out.
Its damned rotten world. isn't IT,
Mr. Fergcrson says ms not the
world. but me. I'm hanged II can
80 II. tho"
Or. Myers svsded TIE question.
Poor old Tsddyi I wonder how
he is7''
He's not IN. 10 her
Rorie asked the question IN amaze
meut Myers nodded graveiy.
He had . fali--A bad fali--and
struck his head. He's not 20 young
- he Vas. you know. and I'm rather
| Afraid
Il never knew Roris's voice was
attended he might have let me
ANEW
ne probably would have done %.
1aA ~ hssn abis; but he's bean un-
|noopctous alnos Il happsnsd-neariy
. Sesh agD now. Il must have bean
the nisht a1ger you came back to
eTour Wilma now : coms 70 Mink
~ IT,
Il ~. I'm avfuny sorry.- Rorse
Fwas genuinely concerned Ripping
old chap. Isn't her
sOns Of the best We were boys
together. you know. and he's been
the finest friend Of my life. ia
trust him anywhere. and with any
thing
Roris thought % old FerRerson
with Z sort Of rernorss. In his own
heart he had dubbed him ian old
fool countless times: Il was not
pleasant now to remember IT,
They walked some way in aiisnce
-0oing 10 see . patient?' asked
Rorie. presently.
~Yes. . little girl TN interested m.
Ghs had IN accident and hurt her
Iback-s
sBa6yf' Roris asked the aues-
ltion casually. He was not really
! 1nterested
''Yes: fatally. ws feared. a. one
films. but I've had the best man IN
Dndon 70 80 hsr. and he - to oper.
81 tomorrow. He seens hopeful.
| but ! an not too confident. The
! trouble h that the girl doesn't want
20 Efvs--first case I've known Of any.
thing IKE that In one % young.
she's only H."
only 1srs Rorfs echoed the words