The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-03-23
CHAPTER VII

Vpruru ncF dpore WhtSn ne nAu smut
after him. and ran downstairs
Nest OF the visitors werc drrrring
for dinner. but Feathers was ioung-
ing against the open swing door
which led Into the garden
Marie ran up 20 him brcathie~iy
mir. nakcrs--
lie turned at once. YES He no
ticcd tho flushed agitation Of her
face lis anything tho uatter-' he
asked In swift concern
''Ycsi I mean moi on. IT'S moth
ing much. at any rate. but-but
told Chris you were going to take
me TO a concert tonight. that you
had got two tickets" She broke off
agitat.siiy. only 10 rush on again.
''Of course. know you're not only
Just said II. but--but n he asks you
oh. you won't mind not telling him.
would your
Feathers looked utterly nyssifl~d.
but abe was too much In earnest for
him TO smile. 10 I've xaid quietly:
There In rather q good show on
the pier. 10 I'm told. I'll got some
tickets and well 60"
She flushed all over her face and
her lips auivcred.
Il know IT'S horrtd of me. and 7
can't EXPLAIN there isn't any need
for you 20 take me at all. really.
but but I knew Chris wanted 70
play Billiards She broke off. she
had said more than she intended
She went Up 20 her own room and
hurried with her dressing. She did
MOI want TO so TO the concert In the
very least.
Chris WAS very punctflious about
dressing for dinner. II was one Of
his pet snobbertcs. 70 Feathers de-
clared. for Feathers himself had q
fine disregard for Appearances and
OF what people thought
But tonight even he struggled into
= dinner jacket. and half~;rangi-d
himself In high collar In honor Of
Marie
Don't wait for me. my ehild. :
said chriA Run away and amnss
yourself"
Marie rose from Tire table quietly.
She made . pathetic little figure.
30 Feathers thought. and was Angry
with himself for the thought. lie
dld not want 10 think Of her N un.
happy.
He turned 70 Chris. why DON'T
you come up with usr- hs asked
abruptly.
what Re p~nned up IN q ssuffy
ccncert han Al thu EVENING" hs
said.
"A penny for Jour thcusfsa.. said
MIRA Herfot beside him. and he
started from his r~verse and laughed
Nothing. ! was Just wondering
about something. that's all"
1--WE never seen you look 50 crosr
befcrc.- she challenged him what
IL the matter. and where Ia Mrs.
Lawiessr-'
she's gone 10 . concert"
-oh. y-s. with Mr. Dakrrs' I saw
them gotng along the road together
Just now
Isn't Il . heavenly nightf What
shall We dor
Chris laughed rather grsmty. TIVE
nothing TO do. I'm quite at your
scrvfce--
wei, then. shari W. take q boat
and row out TO meet the moon7-
-Oh. all right Can we grt q boat -
"Of course we can" She kept her
hand thru his arm a. they went
down the sands % look for an old
boatman from whom Mrs Heriot de-
clarcd she had often hired boats
before
DO ye want me 10 como along
with ycrr- he asked. ms he dragged
q skiff down to the waters edge.
Mrs Hcriot laughed and looked at
Chris.
Chris made Q vry LITTLE fnca
Il think we might be able TO man
age without his help" he said
Let's row out 20 that boat" she
said suddenly. She Indicated n small
anchored fishing smack with furied
sails tina, looked like n fairy ship in
the path OF the moonlight
We can get on board n there II
nobody there Dol II viii be such
funr'
They scrambled on board together
and looked around. The ship was
quite deserted and rocking gently on
the smooth water. Mrs. Hsriot clap
ped her hands like a delighted child.
Isn't this iovcly7 IL reminds me
Of the days when we used To hide In
ruined castles when we were chill
dren"
Chris listened alphabetically. then
suddenly he spoke.
1T must be late. They're playing
God Save tho King"
He looked at his watch-ft was
1890 p. m
ITS time We went back he said
He went back to the side OF the
fishing smack where he had left the
skiff. then he stfled an oath. for the
painter he had fastened loosely to
the rope ladder had come united and
the skiff had drifted away.
Mrs. Heriot uttered a shriIl scream
when she saw what had happened
But what on earth are we TO dor
she asked. and Chris laughed rather
Il must swim out and bring II
back. Of course
He took off his coat AZ he spoke.
and Mrs. Heriot screamed afresh.
The water was very cold. and he
was hampered by his clothing. but
he got hold Of the skiff and dragged
It back To the ships side. clambering
up again by the rope ladder.
1T was folly ever to have GOMEZ
Chris said. He steadied the skiff
while she climbed back into II, then
he followed and pushed off.
what In the world win people
sayy" Mrs. Heriot asked bystericaliy.
They must believe what they
choose, that's an"
II can't face It." she Whispered.
rive always hated scandal. And
(. oh, what will your wife think.
Chrfsy'