The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1907-11-25

would bring blush to the cheek of a
matron Of her years.
Mrs. Bcwser at this ratified on with.
out coming to any point. was listen
ing to the flow of her high pitched
voice without getting any idea from 1t,
when my wandering attention was
suddenly recalled by the words. "Mr.
Knapp"
What was that9" I asked in some
confusion. Il didn't catch your mean.
ing"
Il was saying I thought II strange
Mr.. Knapp wouldn't so with us. and
he got awfully cross vixen | pressed
him, and said--oh, Mr.. Wilton, he said
such dreadful word-that he'd be
eyerlastingly somethinged II he would
ever go into such lot OF dens of--oh.
| can't repeat his dreadful language
but wasn't II strange, Mr.. Wilton %
Very" said automatically: but
It isn't worth while TO wait for him,
then"
"Oh. laws. no!-he1l Re home to.
morrow, but he won't co..
Home tomorrow" | exclaimed. Il
thought he wasn't to come till
Wednesday"
Mrs. Bowser looked a little uncom-
Portable.
81 guess he's old enough TO come
and go when he likes" she said. But
her flow of words seemed TO desert
her.
VERY true" | admitted. Il wonder
what's bringing him back in such a
hurry"
Mrs. Bowser's beady eyes turned on
me in doubt. and for a moment she
was dumb. Then she followed this
miracle by another, and spoke Ia a
low tone OF voice.
IT'S not for me to say anything
against man In his own house. but l
don't like to talk of Doddridge Knapp"
What's the natter" | asked. a
little rough in bis speech? Oh. Mrs.
Bowser. you should maks allowances
for a man who has had to fight his
way in the toughest business life in
the world, and not expect too much Of
his polish"
"Oh. laws. he's polite enough, ("
whispered Mrs. Bowser. 1T isn't that
oh. don't see how she ever married
him"
| followed the glance that Mrs.
Bowser gave on interrupting herself
with this declaration. and saw Mrs.
Knapp approaching us.
"Oh." she exclaimed cheerily. rs II
settled? Have you made all the ar
engagements, Cousin Julia?"
well, / declare, I'd forgotten all
about telling him." cried Mrs Bowser
in her sbrillest tone. I'D just taken
It for fact that he'd know when to
come"
That's a little too much TO expect.
I'm afraid" said Mrs. Knapp, smil-
ing gaily az Mrs. Bowser's manage
ment. Il see that shall have to ar
range this thing myself. VIII Monday
night suit you, Henry?"
AS well as another" said politely.
concealing my feelings as victim OF
feminine diplomacy.
you have told him who are going.
haven't you?" said Mrs. Knapp. to
Mrs. Bowser. as
Laws, no! l never thought but
that he knew"
"Ohi" exclaimed Mrs. Knapp. What
a gift as a mindreader Mr.. Wilton
ought to havel Well. | suppose ia
better not trust to that Henry.
There's TO be Mrs. Bowser, OF course.
and Mr.. and Mrs. Carter, and Mr. Hor-
ton. and-oh, yes-Luella."
My heart gave a jump. and the trip
TO Chinatown suddenly became an OBJ.
ject of interest
Il mama?" said an inquiring voice.
and Lueila herself stood by her mother.
yes" said Mrs. Knapp. Its the
Chinatown expedition for Monday
night"
Luella locked annoyed. and tapped
her foot to the floor impatiently.
With Mr.. Wilton" there was the
slightest emphasis on the words, ito
accompany the party. shouldn't think
~ Nouiu NC htNtScdIg iOI NE u bO
1T is either you or l." said Mrs.
Knapp.
you will be needed TO protect Mr..
Horton" said sareastically.
"Oh, what a taski" she said gaily.
Il shall be ready" And she turned
away before could put in another
word, and | walked down the room
with Mrs. Knapp.
And so Mr.. Knapp is coming home
tomorrow" l said.
Mrs. Knapp gave me a quick look.
Yes" she said. There was some
thing in her tone that set me to think
ing that there was more than | knew
behind Mr.. Knapp's sudden return.