Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1909-10-28

nantly
mo. he didn't" she retorted. with
asperty. Il guess l know when I'm
spoken to. The very ideal Where's
Emma
Brooks told her that she had gone
out for a few minutes.
''Who with?" demanded Mrs. Harris
promptly
II think she went alone"
you think she went alonei Don't
you know? l don't see how you dare
let your wife go out alone in this part
Of New York at this time Of night"
"Well. nobody stole YOU" growled
Joe, $50 ! guess Emma II get home
safely. Something has probably de-
tanned her. That's all / know about it.
If she wants to tell you more when
she comes that's her business, not
mine"
Il certainly do not approve Of her
being out without a proper escort. 1t
isn't ladylike."
"What | want to know is, where did
she go" insisted her mother.
Brooks turned upon her. and an oath
almost escaped him as he snarled:
you want to know a good many
things, but it seems to me that a man
and his wife can have some privacy.
/ told you she went on business. If
she wants to tell you, all right, but
don't try to mother-in-law it out of
mer'
The entrance of Emma and Smith
stopped on Mrs. Harris lips the wrath
full retort that had risen to them. She
rose and greeted her daughter with an
air Of maternal sollcitude.
"Ah, there you are, dearl Where
have you been? We've been so wor-
ried"
Il am little late"
eve were wondering about you. and
Joe wouldn't tell.' said Beth.
Smith treasured them.
Il was taking care Of Emma all
right" he declared "You see, I'm a
sort Of utility man with the ladies'
always trailing along in the rear ready
to touch my cap and do all the chores
and errands necessary"
Emma had taken no notice Of her
husband. whose eyes from the moment
/ Of her appearance had been glued
ayidly upon her. There was nothing
IN her demeanor to indicate that she
had succeeded Indeed, she appeared
haggard and worn out as she was, for
the emotions of the night had left her
exhausted to the point of breaking
down. His anxiety and apprehension
4 increased as he marked her condition.
where did you meet herr" he de-
manded Of Smith, with an effort
ION the way home" he answered.
Emma went to Mrs. Harris and put
her arm around her.
Mother. Pm very tired tonight" she
said appealingly. you won't mind if
ask you to go home and leave me.
I've something to tell you some time,
but / want to be alone now"
"You do look all tuckered out En-
ma" commented Beth.
Il am. You won't mind, will you.
motherT
Certainly not. I'm hot and sticky
myself"
"Tll take you to the subway and put
you on the car" volunteered Brooks.
You needn't mind declined Mrs.
Harris. you're too disagreeable to
night. If you bring my purse from
Emma's room, Jimsy will take us.
Won't you. JimsyY'
Pm still the utility man." respond
ed the cOmplaisant Smith as Brooks
went on the errand.
While Beth was putting her mothers
hat straight Mrs. Brooks whispered to
smith:
'Tell mother as much as 1 told you
and then come back"
He nodded.
Come on. folks" he said as Brooks
reappeared with the purse. you know
time and the subway walt for no
man."
watching his wife
She had sunk on to the sofa and sat
there, still wearing her hat. the pic
ture Of WEAKNESS and sorrow.
The color came and went In his
sunken cheeks. 1t was certain from
her attitude that her mission had fail
ed. yet he feared to learn It from her
lips.
She gave no indication Of intention
or desire to break the silence or even
that she was aware OF his presence.
He could bear It no longer.
HE wouldn't do anything7 It's all
up7"
The words escaped him TREMENDOUSLY,
In despairlng tone. as though they an
swered the interrogation.
She did not reply. but. rising and
drawing from her bosom the paper
Captain Williams had given her, hand
ed 1t to him.
He took it hesitatingly, almost fear
fully.
For me?"
''For you"
As he read II the blood rushed to
his face, and he gave a sigh Of i'm
mense relief. Joyfully he looked over