The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-09-20

whatever happens. shall nj.
ways be glad that you married mo
whatever happcns.-
Could she siiil say so-think sog
Surely not, lie had shown her the
clay feet OF her Idol. She must hate
and shrink from him
Rodcrick felt a. II he had crowded
a lifetime OF experience into the past
10 days. but OF an that had happened
the most bitter memory was the last
half hour. when he had stood in the
darkness and made hts stumbling
proposition 20 his wife.
He got down from the fence and
stroIled back towards tho circus. lie
was all eagcrness 20 SEQ her again--
TO ask her forgiveness. 10 humble
himself. There was much that was
good In Rodcrick Brston. lie was
not to blame II some AZ the weakness
OF hts poor little butterfly mother
had mingled in him with the strength
and maniincas which he had In.
herited from his father.
He quickcned his steps. threading
1tt WY tAAA AsA0 EAA1NE u tt&tN&
standing about
In the center OF . little group Of
men and women \ man IN tnwdry
evening dress was talking loudly In
\ staggering voice.
Az Roferick passed he glanced At
him casually. IL was the man
shern~y. who had struck RosAiie.
The eyes Of the two men -,rs. and
shsrney broke off In the middle Of
what be was saying. and an ugly
eoowi contracted his brows. A. he
met the impcrturhabls eycs Of young
Brfton-
Rorfs passed unconcernesfiy: he
cared nothing for sherney and his
seowis. At that moment. had Rosa.
lie come towards them. he would
have snapped his fingers. IN the
mans ngiy face. and openly pro
claimed her q. his wifei
II was Rorie all over. that he
should experiences such a strong 70
vulsion Of feeling. Tfe was as eager
now TO tell the true story Of his
marriage. and put himself and Rosa
lie straight with old Ferxcrson and
the world. as hitherto he had been
anxious 10 conceal everything. The |
sudden rush OF rcmorsa wiped out
everything else; the voice OF his I
better self had made itself heard at |
last. and Rorfe was ready TO take
his wife TO his arms and make the
best he could OF the muddlc he him |
self had made.
As he nearcd the big tent he saw
people running. heard thu ciamor OF
vcices--a man shouting hoarse dIrco-
tons. He FASTENED his steps. the
thought occurred to him that per
haps the hungry looking. firrceeycd
lion. who paced his narrow cage all
bars Instinct urged him to Rosa
he's side. She was bis wife-he was
her natural protector.
He pushed his way thru the Jos
Ting crowd. Ills inches stood him I
In good stead. One OF the attend. /
ants in shabby livery accosted him /
breathleasly.
Are you a doctor. vfr7 There's
been an accident.- The mans face
- - WtttAE anu Et~aINN1s
Rorie shook his head
mo; sorry I'm nv Anything |
serious7"
But there was no need for the |
man 10 answer: at Tat moment the |
crowd parted. and Rorie saw the
hunchback. his uzfy face distorted
with passionate grief and a sort OF /
furious rage. carrying something IN |
his long. muscular arms--something |
Ia child was 1T No--a girl.
'Rosaliew Young Briton shrieked
the girls name aloud. lie fought
his way 10 the hunchback. He
would have snatched his burden from |
him. but he was held back.
Rosalie lay inert In the hunch- !
backs arms; her head dropped help
iessly against his breast. blood I
streamed from her face; her eyes
were closed. her lips gray.
Across her body the eyes OF the |
man who carried her shot a furious
at young Briton.
Roderick felt as II every drop OF |
blood was drained from hts heart.
There was a singing noise In his
head He tried to step forward---to |
touch her. but someone held him
back. d
A man In a light Uvercoat broke
thru the pressing crowd. Rorie
heard someone say he was a doctor.
Under his direction the hunchback
carried Rosale 10 the big caravan.
The door was closed IN the face Of
the crowd.
The hand that held young Briton
He looked round with wild
eyes and encountered the meering
face OF the man shernYy.
He forgot the enmity between
them He asked him a hoarse qucs
ton:
How did IT happenr Is she much
hurt?"
Sherney shrugged his shoulders; he
flung back a. short answer as he
climbed the steps 10 the caravan.
"She fell"
What was II she had said only
that morning after their marriage? '
III ever thought you we're sorry