Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1908-01-23

ooh, yes she interrupted. with ami.
able WEAKNESS; Il 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 estatep'
he exclaimed. What / 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"
Eyes, it isr He hurled his bull bass
at her. "You knew everything about
him and his standing In this commune
tyi 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
"Oh, but / knew before that she
laughed. II had a correspondent in
Canaan, one who has always taken a
great interest In Mr.. Louden. / asked
Miss Pike only to get her own point of
view
81 want to tell you, madam" he
shouted, coming toward her, that no
member Of my household
That's another point we must take
up today I'm glad you remind me of
it, she said thoughtfully. yet with SO
magically compelling an information
that he stopped his shouting in the
middle of a word, stopped with an
apoplectic splutter. eve must arrange
to put the old house in order at once"
Wen 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 said, want to
speak to you about him.
Eyes," he interviewed harshly, so 90
|, and I'm going to do it quick! You'll
find'-
Again she mysteriously bafied him.
He's a dear old friend of mine, you
know, and l have made up my mind
that we both need his help, you and l..
"What!''
Eyes," she continued calmly, I'm a
business way, | mean. | know you
have great interests in a hundred di-
rections, all more important than mine.
1t isn't fair that you should bear the
whole burden Of my affairs, and I
think it will be best to retain Mr..
Louden as my man of business. He
could take all the cares of the estate
off your shoulders"
Martin Pike spoke no word, but he
looked at her strangely, and she watch
ed him with sudden keenness, leaning
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 oyerspread his broad face and big
neck faded splotchily.
Still keeping her eyes upon him, she
went on: Il haven't asked him yet.
and so / 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
it to him together and go over things
a little.'
Judge Pike recovered his voice.
Hell get warm welcome" he prom
ised huskily, ''if he sets foot on my
premisesr'
you mean you prefer shouldn't
receive him here?' She nodded pleas
antly ''Then certainly shall not.
Such things are much better for offices;
you are quite right" She swept light
ly and quickly to the door, where she
paused, gathering her skirts. 81 shall
not detain you another instant! And
if Mr.. Louden comes this afternoon I'll
remember. I'll not let him come in,
Of course It will be perhaps pleas
anter to talk over my proposition as
we walkp
There was very faint, spicy odor,
like wild roses and cinnamon, left In
the room where Martin Pike stood
alone, staring Whitley at the open door
way.