Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1933-02-23
CHAPTER VI-Continued

you FeallZe lhdl Whit 10 get AWAY
from Hamstead and stay away? II
we fixed up this place, and put all that
money into II. we'd have 10 keep COM
Ing back to IT. That's the last thing
On earth | want to dot | don't want
an old-fashioned house, full OF old
fashioned furniture. In an old-fash-
toned VILLAGE | want to live In big
city. l don't want quiet existence;
/ want to give parties all the time
except when am going out to them
little afternoon bridge parties and little
evening theater parties-and heaps OF
dancing. And simply adore going to
the movies and shopping around for
lacy nighIgowns and getting an Ice
cream soda in the middle of the morn
Ing, and having lunch at tearoom.
That's what I've done the few times
I've been to town to visit Why Philip,
| thought you were going to help me
to escape from Lady Blanche farm
thnugsr@s SyAu wanted me TO have
good time and pretty clothes, and
heaps of new friends. Z. +. =
There was something almost gro
sesque about her. In spite Of her love-
Illness. as she stood before him In her
silvery broeade. cIamorlng for taWdry
possessions and triffing pastImes. The
sudden dread lest the delicate fabric
of his romance might be rent before
his eyes. filled Philip with fear, But
this fear was engulfed In the terror
lied premonftion which his research
had aroused
Somehow he steadied himself. and
managed to speak lightly. Il do want
you TO have a good time and party
clothes and pleasant friends. darling"
he said And you shall. We won't
say anything more about this scheme
of mine. since 1t doesn't appeal to you.
1t was only fancy, anyway.
He drew her close to him. dragging
himself. for the moment with the de-
light of feeling her In his arms. But
afterwards he sought out Mary.
Everyone always took stories OF
trouble to Mary, sure Of help and I'M
Outstanding and comfort The fact
that 1t was ironing day. and that he
found her. In the middle of a snltry
kitchen. and not sitting with folded
hands In sbme secluded and restful
spot. as comforters are additionally
supposed to be found, made no differ
ence. He could not bring himself TO
speak of Blanches outburst. but he
did speak of the ominous sense Of fore
boding which had been awakened by
his perusal of Hastings history and
which had persisted ever since. Mary
listened to his recital In silence, and
without stopping her work. And when
Philip had finished. she went to the
stove for hot iron, tested 1t with her
hand, and began to press cut Sethas
overalls before she answered.
You don't think we've kept this
from you wilfully, do your" she said,
at length. You know I asked you,
right Off, II there were anything that
would make you want Blanche less,
AUQ YOU suld Hp+ nfli A. III SulE liiut
the reason she didn't tell you the
whole story that day by the brook
was simply because. AS she said. you
would think she was 'awfully con
ceitef and fresh II she inferred<that
she thought she was beautiful and
likely to be loved at first sight by q
handsome stranger, She doesn't read
much. and she's probably forgotten
part OF the legend. anyway, even If sht
ever read Nit You-you wouldn't ht
30 cruel as to spoil her lovely happi
ness by telling her about 1t now. woulc
your
"Good Lord, Mary, you don't thinl
want to, do your 1t would JUS
about kill me to give her up"
"Then what do you mean?"
aI thought you might think--I tt1nl
myself perhaps I ought tom her &C
count, you know.
ION her accountT said Mary. stu
pidly.
"If there Is any truth In a thin
like that, isn't 1t my duty to-"
"WhyT
"so-she could do something safel
of course
Mary folded the overalls CAREFUL,
aThere isn't anything safer for gil
to do she said In low voice. "tha
to marry the man she loves. r.
he loves her. And II her life is th
one that's short. what does that ma
ter, If It's full and perfect, and-con
pleteT'
II guess you're, right" said Phil
huskIly. Then, still hesitatlng-"Y
don't suppose think you're right ju
because / want to, do your
did you ever think anything W,
right just for that Heason7"
Philip searched his conscience.
II don't believe So" he said at las
nntaing at her.