The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-06-22

oNt JOu an 1pytDbp- - I" 80
ficult to explain. ought 70 havs
told you before; but never dreamed
she would turn up and worry me-
That girl-you recognized her, OF
courHc--she danced at the Trivolity
last night. ! knew her years ago.
The words came with a sort OF smart
But she evidently remembers mo
well enough. IL upset her last night
when we went into her dressing
room. I should never have gone II
had suspected--you know what
these little affairs are. was not
serious: she, apparently, WAS. That
lis ali' ! am sorry for your young
friend Hilbert; but you see / was
right In what I said A woman Of
that class Is no good"
His voice was brutal Terrier
made no comment; he could not trust
himself. Major hughedHightly.
II soon let her see ! was not -
be blackmaiIed." he said with Do
testabie infection "She was veryy
subdued when she went away. r
fancy I've seen the last Of her" Re
looked around at Ferrfcr. his white
teeth cleaned Don't mention q
to little JOAN no said rs
NO
Major leaned back
Il thought you'd understand: WA
oats have an unfortunate habit Of
cropping up In a mans life. How
ever. as say. fancy I've seen the
last OF her.
"she didn't mention Hibbert!-
Good heavens, mol Poor chsv1
Think he's serious?"
II should imagine So"
~Humph! Well. he's welcome -
her. He laughed again brutally.
Here we are" he leaned forward
and opened the door. Ferrier go<
out; there was a singing noise in his
head. He felt as IL all the blood tn
his body had rushed TO his brain
He went TO the railway bar and
ordered a neat brandy. He was
conscious that Major was cycling
him suspiciously. He asked him
with exaggerated solicitude II he
felt i'll
Ferrier laughed
i've never had a day'x illness q
my life
He tossed off The brandy-le
quoted his ncrves-and followed
Major TO the train.
They had a first-class compart-
ment to themselves. but this time
Ferrier sat opposite Major; he kept
alert and awake the whole time; II
was Major who dozed-
Soon Ferrier began to recognfzs
familiar bits Of tho flying land
scape; he felt like q schoolboy going
home for long-desired holidays
He wondered IL Joan would como
to the station. how she would look.
IL she would be glad to see him Hsx
remembered the way they had paxt-j
ed. the stunned wild look to preyenfl
Major from going with him
The racing train seemed to cx1yAy
II seemed an eternity tin the ma
glimpse Of the SEA flashed In the So.
light Terrier. looking It II. drew Z
deep breath: he let the window dovae
and leaned out
-Glad to be back7- ssked l6s3ou
There was . sort Of jealousy IN ~.
dark eyeA
-Yea Doesn't Z am soea afs.r
Londonf~
Ferrier's eyes sparkied: he drew =
deep breath. filling his lungs VIII
the pure salt air.
The train slowed down, ana
steamed into the little station.
wonder who'll meet u.s. said
Major. He stepped out first and
looked up and down the platform.
Nobody" he said with . Wy
smile.
They may not have got your
wire." said Ferrier. He spoke with
an Indifference he was far from
feeling; every second he expected to
see Joan's little figure appear. They
walked out into the sunny road To-
gether.
Nobody said Major again rue.
fully. shall we have . cab?"
mo. let's walk: my Kegs aro
cramped-"
They walked together down ne
winding road On the cliff-path they1
passed the bare-footed boy Peter. He
grinned at Ferrier, his white teeth
cleaning against his brown skin.
A bend In the road brought them
before the cottage: the Sunblinds
were drawn. the windows stood vide
open.
They're an Out, expect. said
Major. He opened the gate and
walked up the path rather quickly.
At sound OF their steps on the
gravel-walk. Hastings came TO the
door.
4
"Hurlo. hurlor he said cheerify.
$50 you've soon come back. like a
pair of homesick boys. eh?" He
held out a hand to each. Glad to
sec you both; we've had a slow time
since you went How did the busi-
ness 10 go on, eh?" he asked Ferrier.
Major answered for him.
"Oh. that's all done We spent
the evening with n friend OF Fer
rier's last night Terrier wants him
to come down one day. said I was
sure you would be pleased. chr
"Of course. any friend Of yours
They entered the house together.
did you get my vire?' asked
Major.
Yes. two or three hours ago: ~
had a good laugh over II. Bennett
and /. Where is he? really don't
know = W dering round sorne
where"
and Joan!- Major asked IL
question eagerly.
Hastings answered slowly.
shes been out of sorts since yuu
two left--won't eat" His eyes
twinkled. II don't know which gag,
I.othario It is. She doesn't know
you're coming back! she was out on
the sands all the morning. and
didn't tell her about your wire at
lunch. / thought 1t would be a sur
prise for her. eh?"
He laughed. looking at Ferricr.
He took them both into the sunny
dining room and pressed sherry and