News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1904-04-27

I main industry of the town was indulg-
ing in a spree" of appalling dimen-
sions.
For one, Mrs. Rankine was sure of it
because of her husbands persistent
reticence on the subject And because
she held Miss Talbot mainly RESPONSE.
bic 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 Dr. Talbot's and acquaint
Diana with the rumors.
Yes" said the young zoologist look
ing out with sad eyes from wan, un
smiling face, 81 had heard the-the sto
ries. Do you-do you know"
Il know absolutely nothing about
it"
"Wh"t does Arthur think?"
What he thinks | 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. Mattescn is, that ell
his business affairs are in perfect or
der. and so on. And that is absolutely
all that l can get out of him. | 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.
Il 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
tesop's room4 "By the time l 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 a 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 |
"Oh, shut up! Quit preachingv
IF she wants to teach kids compare
tive zoology" Rankine went on, I'm
moved. shell have to open a 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 a good comfortable cry the other
lay"
"Sho had hpardY
ooh, sure. Before that. It's my pri-
-ate opinion. in which the wife of my
BOSOM shares, that Di is lonely without
you."
"WCll, Arthur, you're no end of a
rood fellow to take all this trouble for
ne. When you get back l wish you'd
ell Mrs. Ranlline you have heard that
am in New Orleans. You don't know
what I'm doing there, and that's no lie
'ither; you won't know. | don't know
yet myself. Tell her it's very conf
lential and
mo, no; that won't do. She'd take
t too literally and keep mum. I'll tell
Ter it's not to be gossiped about in gen,
raj, as you doubtless have reasons for
privacy, but that l think perhaps it's
Ter duty to tell Miss Talbot"
''All right, old boy; you know your
wn women folks best. Say it's duty,
nd it goes"
A few days later Matteson received
n New orleans the following letter:
Nepontic, Mass, May 1G
My Dear Mr. Matteson-I feel it my
uty to inform you that rumors are afoat
! town which may seriously interfere
nth your future usefulness and influence
Or good. When we last met,yOu promised
OF to speak to me again until I sent for
GU. 1 wish to see you now, for your
wn sake. Your friend,
DIANA TALBOT.
The young manufacturer reached Ne
ontic looking las fit as fiddle and as
I |