The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-10-03
l"PAPER ROSES"
BY RUBY NJ. AYRES

Reserved ,ssssssssssssssss
consciously he returned the pressure
OF h>r fingers
We viii so and aes the pictures.
I'm suggest taking you. They'rs
rather boring. but
She laughed softly.
I'VE needn't look at them" she
whispered.
II Rorie had anticipated any ar.
fioulty In getting Lillian 20 herself
he Was agreeahly disappointed. Mrs.
Fame was a born diplomat: she engi.
neerod the whole thing with capable.
unfaitering skill Almost before no
could realise Il Roderick found him.
self alone In tho dark picture gallery
with Lillian.
He switched on the electric lights.
and let the baizc door fan to noise
lessly behind him.
"lts rather bad day 20 soc
them" he began ncrvously. But II
YOU stand here
Lillian interrupted.
SILLY hoyl don't want TO see ths
stupid pictures now. at ieastl
Rorie aren't YOU glad 60 SEQ mey"
There was an appeal IN the words.
Young Briton felt the blood racing to
his face. lie stammered out that Il
was 80 soon-that poor old Querno.
and all that. you knowl-and all the
time he was marvcilng because he
aid not rush 20 take advantage OF
her obvious overture. and snatch
her TO his heart
She was silent for moment:
then she said;
Il have something TO tell you.
Rorle."
Yes"
He looked at her dispassionatriy.
as one might look az an exquisite
doll. and Il struck him all over again
how beautiful she was how perfect.
and yet. somehow. her beauty left
him quite unmoved.
She Was very simply gowned. In
some clinging black material. and
she wore n wide hat with a sweep
ing feather. Rorie noticed ttpt she
had removed her glove. and that her
left hand vas bare OF the magnifi.
cent diamond ring the dead million.
aire had given her.
II she had calculated that It's dts
card would please him. she was mis-.
taken. Young Briton experienced a
sort OF shiver Of dlstasts. Only dead
few days. and already shs had
wiped him out OF her life.
What is the matter. Roriey- she
asked him. suddenly. You seem.
somehow. like a stranger--yor never
used to stand there and stare at me
with nothing to say"
Young Brlton moved a step or two
away from her. and caine back rest.
lessly.
ITS all 30 different from what Il
used TO be-" no said clumsiiy. You
must give me . LITTLE time to got
used TO things Somehow. I never
realised that all this might happen.
Later on, Lillian
She stopped him with q gesture.
-Oh' I know 90 well what you are
thinking abe said. rather bitterly.
That l would not havs you when
you were poor. and that now Bar.
tiett 10 dead come back to you
Rorie I Always wanted 70 come.
That day when you went away %
Angrfly I cried myself iIl--ask mo-
Their. told her then that you wers
the only man I should evsr love.
Ask her. II you can't believe ms.
But I was % AFRAID Of being poor.
That fear u gone--nowr- For the
life Of him he could not have checked
the words: they seemed TO riso ur-
hidden to hi~ lips. She flushed
That was unkind." she said quiv.
crinGiy.
Yes. II vast was . caddish
thing to say." Rodcrick caught her
hand tmpulsively. he was honestly
ashamed OF what he had sald. For.
give me. Lillian: I didn't mean n.
After all. there was no reason why
you should have stuck to me whom
l. hadn't . shilling" He looked a,
her with little uncertain smile. II
don't think I ever really blamed
you." he added.
Sudden tears ruushsd TO her eyes.
"Rorie. you are such a dear, /
behaved Hike a selfish. mean wretch.
I know: but now it's all changed.
Isn't III ana we're going 10 be ever
20 happy" She waited confidently
for his answer. but young Briton
felt somehow tongue-tied.
He could not force himself TO say
what she obviously expected: the
words would be a mockery. he knew.
He bent his handsome head and re-
nnorsefuliy kissed the fingers cling
ing to his.
''f@donr deserve n. Liiiian-hus
some day" The hand was torn