White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1930-08-08
CHAPTER 1
Behold the Lily
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who planted the idea so firmly in her
mind that it took the root OF all nox-
ious weeds and flourished there. He
loved the child. and the hardest thing
about dying was the thought OF leav-
ing her; yet she had to live and face
life and he honestly believed that he
was telling her the truth
They were together in the big third
floor front bedroom that looked upon
the avenue. Sounds came dimly there
but far away, breaking through the
sullen murmdr of the streets, they
could hear band playing. It was
the sixth of September, and that year
It fell upon a Mruday.
The house was not their house. 1t
belonged to dis ant cousin of linda's
mother who had lent it to the Haver
Hills while she was in Europe. She
did not know that she had provided
a place for jim Haverhill to die in.
Linda was just then seventeen, with
all the promise of the great beauty
soon to be hers Everything about her
was of a slightly exaggerated scale
her slimress. the excessive grace of
her young body. Her eyes were Il
trifle too large and deep-too black.
Her pallor and the pathetic line of her
red lips were too compelling. One
looked at Linda with suspended
breath. plying her for her loneliness.
because 1t is we'll said that women
who are TOO beautiful are never happy,
and Linda was of that sort.
II was warm day with the uneasy
sultriness of September. [.inda's long
white arms had drawn the daybed
close to the window, and her father
Law there gaspng for the elusive air.
Tapped in the staid nagniticence of the
borrowed house and longing through
his unruly spirit to he out and away
from 1t all, even while his flesh chung
to the girl beside him. He was the
SPECTACULAR ruin of what had been
charming person, too fine for what
had befallen him, but not big enough
TO evade it. Even now he wore d
purple silk dressing gown. and his
linen was so pure that even the in
tense humidity could not degrade 1t
He was as carefully dressed as he had
ever dressed for dinner, and lie looked
with disapproval at his daughters
crushed frock and open collar.
'There is time to change before
luncheon" he said with the faintest
reproof, "but, my dear you should
NOT be negligent because we are
alone"
'.You know. father, that there aren't
any servants. shall have to cook
the luncheon myself"
Haverhill shuddered. He infinitely
preferred no luncheon at all. and told
her so.
compes you to perform such-such q
duty-treat 1t as play-make jest
of 1t, my dear-never admit even TO
yourself that there is necessity. That
is the only way you can conquer
conquer" His cough overlook him.
and was smothered by a square OF
Soft linen delicately perfumed.
When this was over Linda sat with
her perfect chin cupped In her hand
gazing into the almost empty street
white hot, GREATNESS.
II wish, father, wish"
"What, my dearest 2"
81 wish we didn't have to pretend :"
"By October 1t will all be over" he
said with another cough threat ening.
not even dreaming Of the pathetic.
truth he uttered "You will forget all
this" He sent co:lfeInpfuons
glance around the handsome room "a
II in his eyes its comfort was sqli;llor
1T has merely been little resting M
for Ms both. Once ] get my hehfh
again II will be so easy. With my
cIDnectiun-"
Jim Haverhill had been finan
cier; that Is, he sold his good name.
his impeccable appearance. and few
other things for stock IN various en-
tefprlYes that might u might NOT have
hrlc nv thofr ostufv.