The Dolores star., 1924-08-15
CHAPTER xl-Continued.

her they went up the path. A
ICE woman, with a baby on her
met them at the door. Grant in
ID for Mrs. Bruce and her daugh-
IN. you haven't henrd7' said the
Ian. 81 suppose you are Just
Well. It was sad thing. but
have been sad times. 1t was
Hubert was killed I came here
Poor dear, she took that to
awful, and couldn't be left alone,
Phyllis was working in an office,
came here part time to help out.
she was Just beginning to brace
gain when we got the word about
IL. Grace, you know. was lost on
Sspltal ship. That was too much
ber."
Innt received this information
strange catching about the
rhat became of Phyllis7". He tried
kk the question in an even voice.
moved into the house after Mrs.
ke died" the woman continued,
my man came back discharged
h that time. Phyllis tried to get
s nurse, but couldn't manage 1t.
her office was moved to another
of the city and she took rooms
lwhere. At first she came to see
|ften, but not lately. l suppose
trying to forget"
rying to forget" Grant muttered
)mself. How much of life Is made
y trying to forget!"
Srther questions brought no fur
Information. The woman didn't
the firm for which Phyllis
ted she thought 1t had to do with
)tions. Suddenly Grant found him
impelled by tremendous desire
bcate this girl. He would set
i It at once: possibly Jones or
toch could give him information.
hgely enough, he now felt that he
ID prefer TO be rid of Linder's
bany. This was matter of him
hlOne. He took Linder to hotel,
fe they arranged for lodgings. and
started on his search.
located Murdoch without diff
1t was now late. and the old
came down the stairs with In
|sive lmprecations upon the head
untimely caller, but his mutter-
soon gave way to a cry OF delight.
&y dear boy!" he exclaimed. en-
ing him. my dear boy-eXcuse
sir, I'm blithering old man, but
slr-my boy. you're home again !"
fe was no doubling the depth of
hlurdoch's welcome. He ran be-
Grant Into the living-room and
hed on the lights. In a moment
las back with his arm about the
s mans shoulder; he was with
|llty restraining caresses.
I you down, Mr.. Grant; here
|chalr-it's easier. I must get the
en- up. This is no night for sleep
Why didn't you send us word?"
mere is tradition that official
Is sent in advance" Grant tried
kplain.
ye. a tradition. There's a tradi-
mat a Scotsman Is dour body
put any sentiment. WE'LL must
the women"
hurried up the stairs, and, re-
ng. led in his wife. a motherly
pm who almost kissed the young
fr, In the welcome Of her greet
was moment before Grant
he aware of the presence of
y person in the room.
am very glad to see you safely
snid Phyllis Bruce. 1--WE have
cen thinking about you great
n.y. Miss-Phyllis! It was you I
looking for!" The frank >confes-
came before he had time to sup
II, and, having said so much, 1t
ed better to finish the job.
fs' Phyllis is making her home
US now," Mrs. Murdoch explained.
more convenient to her work"
Hht wondered how much of this
cement was due to Mrs. Muir
sympathy for the bereaved girl,
pow much to the addition which
que TO the family income. No
both considerations had con-
ted to 1t.
called at your old home" he con-
o. y needn't say how distressed
10 hear The woman could tell
othing of you. SO 1 came to Muir
hoping"
y she said simply, as though there
nothing more to explain. Grant
ed that her eyes were larger and
heeks paler than they had been,
me delight Of her presence leapt
MIN. Her hurried costume
" 10 accentuate her beauty de-
Oh all that war had done to de-
1t. There was a silence which
,'ehed out. They were all crop
or footing.
murdoch met the situation by
ing that she would put on the
ana Mr.. Murdoch, in a burst of
dlVine Inspiration. insisted that
we was quite incompetent to
.ne gas alone at that hour of
'snt. When the old folks had
eu into the kitchen Grant found