The daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1904-1905, 1904-04-19

main industry of the town was indulg-
ing In a spree" of appalling dimen-
sions.
For one, Mrs. Rankine was sure of 1t
because of her husbands persistent
reticence on the subject. And because
she held Miss Talbot mainly RESPONSE
BILE she found it hard to forgive that
young woman. Still, as they had been
in former years the closest friends and
were yet intimate, she felt it her duty
to call at DIR. Talbots and acquaint
Diana with the rumors
Yes said the young zoologist, look
ing out with sad eyes from wan. un-
smiling face, Il had heard the-the sto.
ries. DO you-do you known
Il Know absolutely nothing about
it."
"What does Arthur Think"
"What he thinks l can't say, because
I'm not mind reader. and he doesn't
like to talk about it, as you might sup
pose. He says he has not the slightest
idea where Mr.. Matteson is, that all
his business affairs are in perfect or
der, and so on. And that is absolutely
all that can get out of him. l really
think he knows nothing. He isn't wOr-
ried as much as should be, but, then,
men are queer"
A few days later Arthur Rankine,
called to st. Louis by business. dropped
into a costly hotel, where he found
MattesOn in good spirits, but eager for
news from home
II am glad you didn't tell me where
you were going" said Rankine, putting
away at his cigar, with his feet COM
fortably resting on the table in Mat
teson's room. by the time I got your
letter the town was wild. By the way.
one of the Boston papers has published
your picture, with a.
Hang the papers. How about Di-
, ana?'
''Shes got crouch on. Things
aren't going her way. The school COM
mittee is keeping her out Of the temples
of instruction with a club, and they're
right. Children who go to work at
fourteen have more use for fractions
than zoology. OF course it's important.
zoology is; but, hang it all, If we tried
to learn one-tenth part of the important
things
ooh. shut up! Quit preaching"
eff she wants to teach kids compare
tive zoology" Rankine went on, un
moved, shell have to open private
school and lasso 'em into it, and DR..
Talbot won't stand for that. May
went to talk you over with her and
have good comfortable cry the other
day"
'She had heardW
ooh, sure! Before that. It's my pri-
vate opinion, in which the wife of my
bosom shares, that Di is lonely without
YOU
"Well, Arthur. you're no end Of a
good fellow to take all this trouble for
me. When you get back l wish you'd
tell Mrs. Rankine you have heard that
l am in New Orleans. You don't know
what Pm doing there, and that's no lie
either; you won't know. l don't know
yet myself. Tell her it's very conf
dental and
mo, no; that won't do. She'd take
it too literally and keep mum. I'll tell
her it's not to be gossiped about in gen
eral, as you doubtless have reasons for
privacy, but that think perhaps it's
her duty to tell Miss Talbot"
Cali right, old boy; you know your
own women folks best. Say it's duty,
and it goes
A few days later Matteson received
in New Orleans the following letter:
Nepontic Mass, May 16.
My Dear Mr.. MatteSon-I feel it my
! duty to inform you that rumors are afioat
in town which may seriously interfere
! with your future usefulness and influence
| for good. When we last met you promised
! not to speak to me again until I sent for
| you. 1 wish to see you now, for your
| own sake. Your friend.
DIANA TALBOT
The young manufacturer reached Ne.
pontic looking ''as fit as fiddle and as