Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1908-07-04
CHAPTER xv.-continued.

ooh, Mr. Wilton, you'll pardon my
boldness, I'm sure" she said with an
amiable flirt of the head, as | seated
myself beside her and watched Luella
melt away into the next room; but
l was afraid you had forgotten all
about us poor women, and it's dread
full thing to be in this great house
when there isn't man about, though
OF course there are the servants, but
you cant count them as men, besides
some of them being Cinnamon. And
we-I-that is, | 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 lis see
that for ourselves. won't you, and did
you ever 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.
oh" said l carelessly, I've seen
the 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 lady
shouldn't see."
| 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 it strange
Mr.. Knapp wouldn't go with us, and
he got awfully cross when | pressed
him, and said-oh, Mr.. Wilton, he said
such dreadful word-that he'd be
everlastingly somethinged if he would
ever go into such a lot of dens of-oh.
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
thought he wasn't to come till
| Wednesday,
Mrs. Bowser looked a little uncom.
Portable.
Il 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. 81 wonder
what's bringing him back in such a
hurry"
Mrs. Bowsers beady eyes turned on
me in doubt, and for a moment she
was dumb Then she followed this
miracle by another, and spoke in a
low tone Of voice.
IT'S not for me to say anything
against man in his own house, but
don't like to talk of Doddridge Knapp
whats the natter" | asked. a
little rough in his speech? Oh, Mrs
Bowser, you should make allowances
for man who has had to fight his
way in the toughest business life in
the world, and not expect too much oil
his polish"
"Oh, laws, he's polite enough,
whispered Mrs. Bowser. 1T isn't that
oh, l don't see how she ever married
him"
! followed the glance that Mrs
Bowser gave on interrupting hersel
with this declaration, and saw Mrs
Knapp approaching us.
oh" she exclaimed cheerily, us il
| spttIed2 Have Won made all the ar