The Rose-Garden Husband

a queer story she had finished and put back on the shelf. The ring was the most real thing, because it was something of a worry. She didn't dare leave it at home, nor did she want to wear it. Sh

und following his inadequate patch of sunlight, or of the dusky room where Allan H

uenther had wanted her to take some money in advance, but she had refused. She did not want it till she had

herself to Mrs. De Guenther with a little wistful smile. "N

was determinedly that it was just an ordinary marriage, as

I will know why! The rest you may get yourself after the wedding, but you must obey me in this. Nonsense!-you can g

out, in order to transact city affairs! She felt as if the angels had told her she could have the last fortnight over again, as a favor, or something of the sort. A half-day out of turn was something nobody had ever heard of. She was even too surprised to object to the frock par

em, expecting orders. "It seems horrible to buy mourning when dear Angela is not yet passed away, but it would only be showing prop

t, and slipped one persuasive

r well-I always knew that-because you can only afford one every other year. And"-Phyllis rather diffidently voiced a thought which had been in the back of her mind

"I hope you may be the means of putting a great deal of br

She could almost hear that poor, tired, toneless voice of his, that was yet so deep and so perfectly accented.... She bought docilely whatever her guide directed, and woke from a species of gentle daze at the afternoon's end to find Mrs. De Guenther beaming with the weary rapture of the successful shopper, and herself the proprietress of a turquoise velvet walking-suit, a hat to match, a pale blue evenin

money. Gracious, it's been lovely! I haven't had such a good time since my husband's

how-a regular thing. The vivid blue made her eyes nearly sky-color, and brightened her hair very satisfactorily. She was taking more time and trouble over her looks now-one has to live up to a turquoise velvet hat and coat! She found herself, too, becoming very genuinely fond of the restless, anxiously loving, passionate, unwise child who dwelt in Mrs. Harr

quiet," said his mother piteously.

sickness, the tremendous driving influence which is often part of a passionately active and not very wise personality. That certitude and insistence of Mrs. Harrington's could hammer you f

d about the girl, a something which gave people the feeling that they were very wise in liking her. Some people you are fond of against your will. When people cared for

knew her as the young lady who was to marry Mr. Allan. She believed that she was supposed to be an old family friend, perhaps a distant relative. She did not wa

erself as badly frightened as she had been the first time she went to the Harrington house. She shivered as she laid down the dater she was using, and called

the telephone, without preface. "I have arranged with Mr. Johnston. You can go at once. You ha

nther had given her, and nothing else. She found herself at the door of her room with the locked suit-case in her hand, and not even a nail-file of the things belonging to her old self in it. She shook herself together, managed to laugh a little, and returned and put in such things as she thought she would require for the night. Then she w