The Taney County republican., 1908-11-26
XENSTR4 TED
BY 50
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They walked across the carpeted |
floors and between tables where 9TH |
ers were dining, and everywhere as
they went she was recalled to the |
sterner things of life by a converse
tion which had no other topic than |
war. Here and there she recognized !
men occupying more or less respon'
sible positions in the government, and
few whose uniforms proclaimed
them to be officers of the army and
navy. These latter seemed discussing
the situation from a more confidential
viewpoint, and held their heads close
together now and then as II fearful
that others might overhear their
whispered comments.
"All criticlsing the government"
Guy muttered, indicating cue group
with a slight lod of his head. They
cant understand it any more than we
can"
She looked at him sharply as II
about to speak, and then after an in
stant's hesitation closed her half
parted lips and advanced to the seat
she desired. A white-clad waiter
served them and deferentially brought
a newspaper stlll wet from the press
Thought you'd like 60 see the latest
extra, sir" he explained, as he leii
them; and Hitler, with a look OF
weariness, glanced at the headlines
and laid it aside.
Same old thing" he commented,
in reply to her look of inquiry. THE
Gazette has just learned that not even
coaling orders have been Issued, and
this from no less person than the
| secretary Of the navy, who has been
goaded into free speech by the con
stant pricks of criticism. / wonder II
these people are insane?"
Guy" she retorted, II don't think
1t altogether fair to speak of the men
at the head Of the government as in
sane until they have been proved in
error. Let's talk of something else
And he, worried and tired of tho
topic was glad to lead into more per.
| sonal subjects. He thought Of the
Old inventor whom he had not seen
for months.
How is your father now?" he
asked. "Is he improving in health,
and where is he?"
For the first time she showed some
embarrassment. He watched her, and
as she hesitated before answering be.
gan to wonder IL there was not some.
thing concerning Roberts which she
was cndeayOring to conceal from him.
"Oh, he Is well, but very overworked
and tired" she replied finally,
But you haven't answered all my
question" he insisted. "You haven't
told me where he is."
She remained silent, toying with
one of the rings upon her hand and
looking out through the vines tc
where the lights Of the city cleaned
below and stretched out into the
blackness beyond.
Norm" he said, leaning toward
her, lis there anything wrong with
him? All your letters come from
Miami. There's a sanatorlum there
1t can't be that your father is"
"No-no--no; 1t isn't that she re
piled, but with a look of such appre
hension that he almost doubted hei
for the first time In all their friend
ship. Father is all right, only he has
worked very hard, and Oh, please
don't insist on my telling you any
, more! Believe me, l should be franl
= with you, Of all persons in the world
r If could; but | cant be--quite."
Impulsiyely he stretched his hands
across the table and seized hers Tht
} hum of conversation had died out II
} the room back OF them, most OF th,
J diners having departed. 1t had growl
t so quiet that they could hear tht
, strains of a band from one OF th
parks, playing as gayly as il war wa
4 an unknown contingency.
r Norm" he said pleadingly, "tak
S me into your full confidencel Tel
e me what it is that troubles you
t Something does, I'm sure. have reat
r 1t in your letters, and in your eye
t when you come to me. Let me shar
o 1t with you! You know love you
d and part Of love is to share eacI
= others troubles"
He tried to hold her hands; but sh
G withdrew them tremblingly. Sh
G turned her face away toward tn
II lights of the night, without lookin
s at him. For what seemed long tim
he waited. "Oh, wish you had nc
n said that to me-just yet" she al
II swered at length. "You make it yer
|. hard for both of us now. want to b
y honest with you, want to give you m
n confidence and my-but can't
1t cant tell you anything. You mu'
e wait"
y (To BE CONTlNUED.)