The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1908-10-09
CHAPTER xV.-contlnued.

"Oh, Mr.. Wilton, you'll pardon my
boidness, I'm sure" she said with an
amiable hirt OF the head. as | seated
myself beside her and watched Luella
melt away into the next room; but
4 was afraid you had forgotten all
about us poor women. and It's a dread
ful thing to be In this great house
when there isn't a man about, though
OF course there are the servants, but
you can't count them as men, besides
some Of them being Cinnamon. And
wc-I-that is, l really did want to see
you. and we ought to have so much to
talk over. for I've heard that your
mothers first cousin was a Bowser,
and do so want to see that dear, de-
lightful Chinatown that I've heard so
much about, though they do say it's
horrid and dirty. but you'll let US see
that for ourselves. won't you. and did
you cver go through Chinatown. Mr..
Wilton"
Mrs. Bowser pulled up her verbal
coach-and-six SO suddenly that | felt
as though she must have been pitched
off the box.
ooh" said l carelessly, I've seen
she place often enough"
How nice!" Then suddenly look
ing grave Mrs. Bowser spoke from be.
hind her fan. But | hope, Mr.. Wilton,
there's nothing there that 4 lady
shouldn't see."
I fastened TO assure her that it was
possible to avoid everything that
would bring a blush to the cheek of a
matron OF her years.
Mrs. Bowser 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 it
when my wandering attention was
suddenly recalled by the words, Mr.
Knapp"
What was that?" | asked In some
confusion. Il didn't catch your mean
ing"
Il was saying thought 1t strange
Mr., Knapp wouldn't go with us, and
he got awfully cross when | pressed
him, and said-oh, Mr.. Wilton, he said
such a dreadful word-that he'd be
-everlastingly somethinged il he would
ever go into such a lot of dens of-oh
Il can't repeat his dreadful language
but wasn't it strange, Mr.. Wilton? ?
Very" | said automatically; but
II isn't worth while to wait for him
then"
"Oh. laws, no!-hell be home to
morrow, but he won't co..
Home tomorrow" | exclaimed. 81
80.
thought he wasn't to come til
Wednesday"
Mrs. Bowser looked a little uncom
Portable.
IL guess he's old enough to conn
and 60 when he likes" she said. But
her flow of words seemed to deserr
her.
every true" | admitted. 81 wonder
what's bringing him back in such
hurry"
Mrs. Bowser's besdy eyes turned or
me In doubt, and for a moment she
was dumb. Then she followed this
miracle by another. and spoke in 9
low tone Of voice.
'It's not for me to say anything
against a man in his own house, but
don't like to talk OF DOddridge Knapp
whats the matter?" l asked. "A
little rough in HIS speech? Oh, Mrs
Bowser, you should make allowances
for a man who has had to fight hi
way in the toughest business life in
the world, and not expect too much o.
his polish"
"Oh, laws, he's polite enough
whispered Mrs. Bowser. TT isn't tha'
oh. l don't see how she w married
him"
followed the glance that Mrs
Bowser gave on in%terrupting herself
with this declaration, and saw Mrs
Knapp approaching us.
oh" she exclaimed cheerily, rs II
settled? Have you made all the ar
xanxsmsnts. Cousin Iulia?"