Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1902-12-25
6be
INCE NDIARY
BY CECIL CHARLES.

IN young woman slnSnam TOOK out
fresh cigar and cut it; Hepburn's
was still unlighted in his fingers, and
he gazed abstractedly out the win
dow. Ingham then spoke softly, as if
to his cigar: Something stunning
about that girl; the makings of a
red-gold beauty
''You mean Constance?" Hepburn
asked, with faint irritation. ''Theres
no secret about it. She worked for me
in my New England factory and ]
brought her along-like other val
liable accessories.' He lowered his
voice. That's one thing that tor
ments me, George. If l go to smash
what will that poor girl do? I wish
you had a place for her. 1t would
take a load from my mind"
''You don't mean that things are
looking like shutdown. So bad as
that?" lngham struck his match and
watched the curl of smoke; the
match still burning slipped from his
fingers to the floor. Hepburn set his
foot vigorously on the blaze. Fer
heavens sake, don't set fire to the
factory! I've drained myself keeping
up the insurance and 1 don't want to
be arrested for arson''
Ingham laughed cheerfully. 80
come! I'd take the blame if dropped
the match. Got much on it?''
only S20,000-I declare at times /
almost wish it would take fire
There was a light knock and the
girl with the red-gold hair reentered
and handed him papers. Ingham rose.
You're busy. I'll stroll to the ho-
tel. See you after dinner
Yes. They call it supper here in
this oldfashioned Maryland. Sorry
we can't put you up at the boarding
house. The landlady has some cleri-
cal visitor. Miss Wells is sharing
her room with his daughter" The
girl did not stir or flush as he spoke
her name. After moment she went
out.
There's a profle!' said the New
Yorker. "And a way of carrying ones
self. Make your mind easy. If you
shut down, I'll send for her" H.
blew longer curl of smoke. II sup
pose you get over to Washington
more frequently now?"
Hepburn frowned unconsciously
Give written Miss Minturn the truth.
It was her due"
''The affair isn't off?'
''She says she will wait.''
"H'm! Women are loyal. She has
considerable fortune"
No." said Hepburn, roughly. 81
wouldn't permit it, He followed his
guest out through the large office
where Miss Wells was busy at her
desk. He called her as he turned to
the inner room, and she came quick
ly. With her, as the door opened and
closed, entered the subdued hum OF
machinery from the workrooms.
Buzz of banded wheels, flare of gas,
clink of tools. All going on-going
onto stop. He seemed to swallow
hard before speaking. ''There was
letter, but I see it is late, and l
have to drive down and find that
man to take the watchman's place t.
night. Jordan's sick. You look little
pale. could drive you home and
then go on. It looks like rain or
snow"
II have some work 1 must stay and
do the girl replied. There was {,
strange note in her voice. He stared
at her. "Ah! You heard me speak
ing to Ingham. You know how I've
been worried. Times are frightful.
A man can shift somehow-it's hard
er for woman. If my mother were
living, but who can tell what I
might have to do. So I mentioned
to Ingham, and he promised
81 don't think shall ever work for
Mr.. Ingham," she answered in a
poud, cold way.
Hepburn's head dropped. A weary
helplessness seemed to overtake him.
"WeIl," he said, with sigh, Every
WE'LL Then he put on his overcoat
and went out. Through the window
she presently saw him leading his
horse from the shed. Then he was
driving away. Now she saw him no
more, for the turn in the road. Would
she ever see him again?
twas dark in the Office. The factory
hum had ceased. The superintendent
had come in and she had said she
would remain and finish her work ur-
til the Waterman came. He locked her
in Soon it seemed as if everyone had
gone. Darkness had crept about her,
inclosed heavily, but no more heav-
lily than the sense of impending dis
aster. Hepburn, always sanguine, WIS
the last to give up; she knew he had
been hopeful beyond belief when
business had gone SO badly back in
the north. He simply could not
give up. Catastrophe must be GER
tain; she had heard his words to Ing
ham and the reply. She felt a
strange dislike for Ingham. Why had
not Hepburn let him drop the
match--and take the blame? The
millionaire insurance companies were
well able; there were no lives to be
Lost Henh11rn would he savedi TWEEN