The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-01-30

ANA VA e." @tAAa - ~rf"N- -~-"rt' - @""
win talk. For a girl keeps her secret
deep hidden.
Neither paid any attention to the
deaf old woman who was moving
around the room, setting 1t in ord~r.
However, that happened to be one OF
her good days" as she called those
in which her hearing seemed less OBJ
structed than usual. And a part OF
the conversation penetrated her con-
sciousness
That's Leila's address" concluded
the young fellow. springing up. You
will call on her and her mother won't
your"
"Of course, dear-if you wish"
You're a darllng!" he decided, and
straightway flung on to take Leila to
a studio tea. When he had left her
at the door Of her mothers home in
the amber light Of the autumn after
noon. he turned down the street, walk
ed a block, and bumped into Jack Hal'
an artist friend Of his.
well met!" cried the latter Come
with me. I'm going down to the Kan
kakee marshes to do some sketches
for magazine. It's a special ordeA'-
good pay Come along. It may be
you can do some verses to go with
the sketches. Don't say no! The trip
viii take the city smoke out Of your
lungs. You can wire your folks. Gan
your"
Il suppose so. but
Wen only be gone a day or two.
Halo, here's Harvey Hows this for
luck2 Harvey, you live next door 70
McShane's. Just drop in tonight, Will
you, and tell his mother that he has
gone on on brief sketching trip with
me. Tell her III take good care Of
him. She trusts me, you know. III
bring him back all right. There, that's
settled. Thanks"
Now, II happened that the same
afternoon a maid servant Of tine Mr.
Harvey mentioned had cleaned gown
with gasoline. This gown she hung
on the back Of a chair near the gas
range. When she lighted the range
to prepare supper the gown ignited. So
did the maid servant The scene upon
which Mr.. Harvey returned was natur-
ally an exciting one. So exciting. in
deed that 1t quite banished from his
recollection the message he had prom
ised to deliver to MeShane's mother.
Mrs. Mcshane delayed dinner until
It was uneatable Stealing into Mau-
rice's room at midnight to see If all
was well, after the fashion Of mothers,
she was alarmed at finding him still
absent She lay sleepless until dawn,
listening for his step. She came down
to breakfast, ali her pretty rosy bloom
washed away by insomnia.
I'm SO worried, Rhoda. she said
to a friend who chanced in. Maurice
did not come home last night He
never before failed to send me word
OF any change Of plans am Ill with
anxiety. If he is not back by luncheon
| shall send to inquire at the ofice
Of the paper and the Press club. II
is just possible Miss Ware Of Prairie
avenue-What is ii Deborah"
For the deaf old woman had paused
before her. and was intently watching
the lips OF the speaker.
Nothing, ma'am, nothing!' She rat
tied OF an apology in queer foreign
patois.
Leila Ware and her mother were
lunching together in their South Side
home when a servant appeared.
There's a person" he said, who
insists upon seeing YOU" He hesi-
tated. "She is excited. and is saying
something about Mr.. Mcshane-"
20, it must be that Mrs. McShane
has called. motherl" cried the girl, ris-
ing. Maurice said yesterday that she
intended calling at once. Ask her into
the draWing-room, Peters. and"
''McShanel" squealed a voice, Nc
Shanel" A bent, brown, toothless
skinny little creature, darted past ths
servant ~ confronted mother and
daughter. They looked in astonish-
ment at the witchlike woman. She was
clad in dingy black A torn veil was
stretched over her long red nose Her
fingers were out Of her gloves. She
brandished a battered umbrella. "His
motherl" she cried-"Mr. McShane-
his motherl"
A slow, painful color crept to Leila
Wares white brow Maurice had
seemed such a perfect gentleman-of
such good blood and breedingl
Mamma, she says she is Mr.. Nc
Shanes mother" She went up to her
gently took the umbrella from her,
led her to the table. BE seated, she
urged, although her heart was hot
with modification. Mamma, will you
give Mrs. McShane some tea?"
The old woman burst into a torrent
Of jargon in which the words gone. q"
"sick." worried, we're alone intel
ligible.
Where he gone" queried the ex-
traordinary guest in shrin conclusion
Where Maurice gone?"
I'VE have not seen him since yes
terday. We"