Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1909-10-14
CHAPTER VI.-contlnued.

Then l don't see anything for 1t
but for you to leave things as they
are" l admitted.
He was not satisfied, however, to do
that on his own judgment.
IF l could only be sure she isn't
playing part" he unused.
Then you're not sure?"
"One minute l think ! am and the
next l think I'm not If there wasn't
so much at stake. I'd risk my own
opinion more readily. AS 1t Is, I'm
afraid to do it." He looked at me
with sudden usefulness. "Twining,
do you-you do care little for her,
don't your" he asked frankly.
mot little," said l grimly.
Then will you help me to make
sure?"
How"
Go to her and find out"
l took a turn or two up and down
the room.
I'll CO." l said
Maybe you'll be able to make her
out better than I. l don't deny 1t
seems to me she loves him. But pin
her down. Don't let her wriggle away,
whatever you do. You know she'll
try to. And see here Twining, don't
want her to know that you know
about-about the money. She thinks
nobody knows but Ankony, and it'd
kill her to find out that he'd told it,
even to you--or rather, to you of all
others. Remember you must keep that
from her If you can"
Trust me-" said, as took up my
hat
oh, you're not going now, are you?
I've just come from her, you know,
and she'll be suspicious. Why not
give her time to forget a little? It
isn't easy to wait, but 1 believe IT'S
better. Mrs. Ankony gives her dinner
tonight. You'd have chance to talk
with her there. wouldn't your"
You're right" l said; "I'll wait"
Mrs. Ankony was in high and be-
coming feather that evening. She
managed to veil her complacency un.
I'll 1t missed being Objectionable. This,
however, was one of the few occas-
ions which had come her way upon
which she could distinctly congratu-
late herself: a dinner in compliment
to my dear Barbara" perfectly ap-
pointed dinner, too, and one think
most Of her guests enjoyed. For my
self, / thought it would never end.
Most Of Barbara's friends were
there, and but few of Ankony's. The
Forlorn Hope was there to a man.
seeking to present an unbattered
front. had kindred feeling for
them. Dan was not there. He simply
would not go. Bishop Winstanley sat
on the left of the hostess, beside Miss
streeter. He was delightfully."- fluent,
and she alphabetically attendant.
The soft light Of the candles fell on
her hair, on her pure contour, on her
ivory skin and her pale shimmering
gown. She ate, as the rest OF us, but
TO me 1t was exactly as If a Correggio
or a Botticelli had leaned from her
frame to nibble sweet wafer or trifle
with salad. Occasionally she spoke.
but ] did not hear what she said. l
seem never, somehow, to hear her
say anything. but when one looks as
she does what one says Is immaterial
Barbara was scintillant, with all
her old charm Illuminated, as II were,
by something new and vivifying with
in. watched her with a sinking
heart; surely she cared for Ankony or
she could not look like this. / told
myself so half a hundred times
through dinner, aud after. finding her
with only three men dancing atten-
dance upon her, promptly put them
all to rout that might carry her on
and have Il over
Come out ana see the roses"
said.
Mr.. Ankong showed me them he
fore dinner They are beautiful"
But he didn't ahow you the moon. Z