Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-03-10
StarHgh7 Z
BY the Noted Author
IDAH M'GLONH GIBSON
In the Rectory

SHe lS IN love WIN a man, love-
TO touch the things that have
known the touch of his hands?
| An old actress out at the studio
the other day told me that she
once saw Bernhardt play Camille
and that after Armand left Ca
mile she went around the room
where they had been 80 happy
and apparently, almost uncon-
sciously, touched all the deear, IA
miliar things their love had hal
lowed.
Kitty picked up and turned the
leaves Of the big Bible that was
lying on John Storms desk. She
wrote her name on the sheet Of
copy paper that some one had
placed tidily beside it. She buried
her nose in the fragrant bunch
of roses that were still dewy, SO
recently had they been picked and
put in the vase. She toyed with
paper knife and leaned her
cheek against the high mantle
shelf over the great fireplace. At
last she came to a standstill be-
fore an inviting old armchair
which stood beside the fireplace.
She looked at John Storm who
had been following her around.
He answered the query: Eyes,
Miss Dalton, that is my chair.
You had better curl up in 1t. 1t
is warranted to resi- not only tired
bodies but tired spirits. 1t has
given me much silent counsel as
we'll as comfort in the years I
have owned 1t. My mother gave
it to me when / first went to COL
lege."
I wished that Gloria-dear
Gloria, how I missed her-cOuld
have seen the last lingering
hardness fall from Kitty's face as,
with it upturned to John Storm,
she sank, little bundle Of child
ish joy into that chair! l glanc-
ed from him to her and then
looked away, for 1 saw in John
Storms face, love, protection and
pity for the girl he was looking
at-while in her face abided |
faith, trust and alteration.
I sighed, for I could see moth
ing but trouble ahead.
II wish their romance was to
be as smooth as mine" I thought,
I closed my eyes and again heard
Theo's voice.
After the simple dinner We
Kitty and accompanied John
Storm and Mrs. Tenant over the
rectory grounds.
John gave Kitty free hand with
the late blossoms and his smile
grew deeper as her arms were
more and more loaded with white
roses and the few early white
shasta daisies.
Don't you want some Of these
roses?" he inquired standing be-
fore a great bunch Of pink Kill
Iarneys.
"No, 1 never was able, before,
to have all the white flowers l
l love them better than
will send them to deck my last
laisies, white hyacinths, white
and above all, these great
white, loose-petaled roses, are, to
ne, the most beautiful Of all
lowers. l expect that when I die
md cannot see them, my friends
blooms any other color, lilies
'esting place." she gave little
Ihudder. Was it prophetic?
What is the matter, Kitty"
lsked John quickly. care you
,old?"
"No, l guess some one was
over my grave. You know
he old superstition when ones
nerves contract involuntarily."
A cloud had obscured the sun
or a moment and we had taste
II that quick change of climate
or which California is noted. 1t
eemed to dampen our spirits as
veil, and it was a silent little
;roup that wended its way back
o the study and its CHEEKY fire.
Although I knew we should be
tarting home, Kitty was so happy
hat l dreaded to make the sug- t
estion. At last, however, John |
torn himself said: "You girls
ill have to excuse me for l have =
vesper service before the regu-
ir evening sermon"
ooh, 1 am so sorry we have !
tayed so long," Kitty exclaimed J
Dntritely.
"You have not stayed too long, J
ltity. Both you and Virginia I
ave frightened up the old house. J
Is seldom l have women to din !
sr."
John Storm was putting on his !
ght overcoat for the air had !
'own suddenly crisp-as he said J