The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-07-11

month after month. aud The pros
pcct was TOO distressing 20 dwell
upon Again his mind grew weary
bofriod; no experienced "A wrotched
physical illness, Where 20 SO,
where TO hide until hts sickness
had passed. That was the qucu
ton,
For tho fIrst time he appreciated
Tho FUN extent az his loneliness.
hia utter lack OF resource IN a
crisis Ike this AtoHt men. how.
ever solitary, iay by material things
for themselves build homes and
surround themselves with personal
possessions from which. or amid
which, they can gain somo sort of
rolaee In times Of trial. But he
had not fashioned 90 much as a den
into which lao could creep and liclg
HIS wounds. once he had left his
hotel room behind him he was ia
tho open and without cover. Not
a spglo soul cared whether he
came or went. not another door
stood atar for him. And no had
planned 90 much upon having a
home, real home hut he could
not trust himself 10 think much
along that line Il induced an absurd
desire 70 weep az his plight II
made him feel like a child lost IN
a wood ThR, was silly just an
emotional reaction: nevertheless. the
impulse was real ana caused him
20 yearn polgnnntly FOR human com
fort.
lie thought OF Ma Briskow. final.
IS. She was human. she had a
heart And Dallas WAS sort Of
honey place. anyhow. tho hellbG- =
az tho Ajax knew ana liked him,
That was probably because he had
tipped them handsomely. but what
OF thatf II they'd he kind 10 him
now he'd tip them moro handsome.
~ than ever. Lonely men-old ones
must expect TO pay for what they
set. He bought a ticket 90 Dallas.
Ma Brlskow'a eyes were dim; ney.
eriholess. she saw tho change IN
Calvin Gray when. late tho follow.
ms afternoon. be came 10 ste her.
Land sakes" sho exclaimed IN
shocked voice. PA never said
you was alIlp', why. Mr.. dnyf'
I'm not really m" 80 told her.
YEARLY. lust old I've had a bad
night" Seating himself beside her
couch. he took her hand IN his
ana made her tell him all about
herself Ho had brought hor an
aunful OF flowers as usual. and
exirRyngant gifts for her adornmen,
giving. Il seemed. was his uncon.
scioua habit while she admired
them with eeatat!e ~ohhy' and
''Ahsy' hs busted himself with bowls
and vases. but Ma noted HIS fumb.
llng uncertainty OF touch and the
cyidon, effort with which he kept
up his assumption OF good cheer.
She told him, finally.
Something mighty bad has hap,
pcned TO you, Mr. Gray"
He gaEcd AZ her mutely. then
nodded.
is IL something about the-the
Princess OF Wichita FalA7"
YES. Ma"
Use. T-ei Tse9 II was sym,
pathetic eiuck Was sha wicked
prIncess7 The query was gently
put. but it deeply affected tho man.
re tried to smile. failed. then rke
foflorn little hos he came and
bowed his head beneath her hand.
Il knew you'd understand. Moth,
or Briskow. 80 Ill ran 20 you with
my hurt. Just as I uzed TO run 70
my Mother Gray" After while
no continued in smpthered voice
she Isn't a wicked princess. she
diant mean 10 hurt mo and-that's
what makes I, hurt se deep. Ghe
tumhlcd the Ola dukes castle down
upon his head: tsrmbisd tho Old
duke out OF his dreams Hs isn't a
duke any longer"
Hell nllus be a duke" Mrs. BHs,
kow firmly declared ,Ho vas born
that way"
al any rate. he's sad old duke
now. all his eoncsi, Is gone. You
see. no was vain old gentleman,
and his cOurticra used 70 tell htni
no was splendid. bnndsoms-- They
said ha looked at handsome as a