Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-02-06
r. to the doorway of the room anc

her to the doorway OF the room anc
paused.
do you know the way?" he inquir,
ed, with note Of solemnity.
"Where?" Ariel had not risen.
"To the library"
"Of course" she said, beaming upon
! him. 81 was about to ask you If you
wouldn't speak to the judge for me-
This is such comfortable old friend
this chair"
Speak to him for your" repeated
the nonplused Eugene.
She nodded cheerfully. "If I may
trouble you. Tell him certainly
shall be glad to see him.
Eugene went. There was nothing
else to do And he wished with every
step that the distance to the portals
of the library might have been greater.
In whatever guisc he delivered the
summons, 1t was perfectly efficacious.
| A door slammed, heavy and rapid
tread was heard in the hall, and Ariel,
without otherwise moving, turned her
head and offered brilliant smile Of
greeting.
"It was good of you" she said as the
doorway filled with red. imperial wrath,
''to wish to have little chat with me.
/ I'm anxious. OF course, to go over my
affairs with you and last night after
my journey was too tired. But now
we might begin. not in detail. of course,
just yet. That will do for LITTER when
I've learned more about business"
The great one had stopped on the
| threshold.
"Madam." he began coldly. "when I
say my library I mean my
ooh, yes" she interrupted, with ami
able WEAKNESS; ~ know. You mean
you keep all the papers and books of
| the estate in there. but | think we'd
better put them Off for a few days.
I'm not talking about the estate!"
he exclaimed. what l want to talk
to you about is being seen with Joseph
Louden!'
Eyes" she nodded brightly. That's
along the line we must take up first"
"Yes. 1t Isl" He hurled his bull bass
at her. You knew everything about
| him and his standing in this commune
! ty! know you did. because Mrs. Pike
told me you asked all about him from
Mamie after you came last night, and.
see here don't you
ooh, but l knew before that" she
laughed. II had correspondent In
Canaan, one who has always taken n
great interest in Mr. Louden. l asked
Miss Pike only to get her own point Of
view"
81 want to tell you. madam" lie
shouted, coming toward her, that no
member of my household
"That's auother point we must take
up today. I'm glad you remind me Of
IT. she said thoughtfully, yet with 50
magically compelling an information
that he stopped his shouting In the
middle of word, stopped with an
apoplectic splutter 1--WE must arrange
to put the old house in order at once"
We'll arrange nothing Of the sort, "
he responded after moment of angry
silence. You're going to stay right
here"
"Ah, know your hospitality" she
bowed graciously. but Of course
must not tax it too far. And about
Mr.. Louden? AS l said, I want to
speak to you about him."
YES" he interviewed h.trshly, $50 dc
|, and I'm going to do it quick! You'll
fnd'-
Again she mysteriously baftled him.
"He's dear old friend of mine. you
know, and have made up my mind
that we both need his help, you and l. y
"Whatv'
EYES," she continued calmly, I'm a
business way, l mean. l know you
have great interests in hundred di-
rections, all more important than mine.
1t isn't fair that you should bear the
whole burden of my affairs, and l
think 1t will be best to retain Mr..
Louden as my man of business. He
could take II the cares of the estate
off your shoulders"
80
looked ut her strangely, and she watch
ed him with sudden keenness, leaning
i forward in her chair, her gaze alert
but quiet, fixed on the dilating pupils
of his eyes. He seemed to become
dizzy, and the choleric scarlet which
had overspread his broad face and big
neck faded splotchily.
Still keeping her eyes upon him, she
went on: II haven't asked him yet.
and so 1 don't know whether or not
he'll consent, but think it possible
that he may come to see me this after
noon, and if he does we can propose
1t to him together and go over things
little"
Judge Pike recovered his voice.
''He'll get warm welcome" he prom