The Alaska citizen., 1911-01-02


 mo But Mir Burnt, give him a hint not to do any more travelling on my account: for I've got a husband back in New York that ain't worth the rat poison to put him out of his misery. but I'm not getting any divorCes One mistake Is enough But don't be too hard on me when you tell Biff Honest. up to just the last. thought he'd come only to see you; but enjoyed his visits" And stood real tears
 A newSboy met Bobby on the train with the morning papers from home. and in them he read delightfully."- favored and spiCed accounts of the great Nillenauve breaCh-of-promise case. emhellished with many details that were entirely new to him. He had not counted on this phase cf the matter and it struck him almost as with an ague The notOriety, the askance looks he would receive from his more conservative acquaintanCes. the 'raCging" he would get at his clubs. all these he could stand But Agnes, How could he ever face her? How would she receive him? From the train he took cab directly home and buried himself there to think 1t all over. He spent morn ing of intense dejection and an af- ternoon of the utmost misery. In the evening, not caring to dine in solitary gloom at home nor to ap- pear yet among his fellows. he went out to an obscure restaurant in the neighborhood, and got his dinner, then he came back to his lonely room, seeing nothing ahead of him but an evening of melancholy alone. His butler, however met him in the hall on his return.
 Miss Elliston called up on the phone while you were out. sir"
 Did you tell her l was at home?" asked Bobby with quick apprehen- sion.
 Yes. sir; you hadn't told me not 10 do so. sir and she left word that you were to come straight out to the house as soon as you came in"
 Very we'll" said Bobby, and went into the library.
 He sat down before the telephone and rested his hand upon the re-
 
 minutes of hesitation, then abruptly he turned away from that unsatis- factory means of communication and had his car ordered; then hurriedly changed to the evening clothes he had not intended to don that night
 In most uncertain anticipation, but quite sure of the most vigorous blowing up" of his career, he whirled nr,t yo ha of Ia ascended the steps. The ring at the bell brought the ever imperturbable Wilkins, who nodded gravely upon seeiES that it was Bobby and re lieving him of his coat and hat, told him:
 Right up to the Turkish room, sir"
 There seemed a strange quietness about the house, and he felt more and more as if he might be ap- preaching a sentence as he climbed the silent stairs. At the door of the Turkish room. however, Agnes met him with outstretched hands and a smile of welcome which bore traces of quite too much amusement for his entire comfort. When she had drawn him within the big alcove she laughed aloud, a light laugh in which there was no possible trace of resentment, and it lifted from his mind the load that had been op- pressing it all day long.
 I'm afraid you haven't heard" he began awkwardly.
 Heard" she repeated and laugh ed again. Why. Bobby. I read all the morning papers and all the even ing papers, and I presume there will be excellent reading in every one of them for weeks to come"
 And you're not angry" he said astounded.
 Angry" she laughed Why. you poor Bobby. I remember this Madam Fillenauvc perfectly, besides seeing her ten-years-ago pictures in the pa pers. and you don't suppose for minute that I could be jealous of her, do you? Moreover. I can prove by Aunt Constance and Uncle Dan that l predicted just this very thing when you first insisted upon going on the road"
 He looked around, dreading the keen satire of Uncle Dan and incl sive ridicule of Aunt Constance, but she relieved his mind of that fear.
 
 ner tonight, but I refused to go, for really l wanted to soften the blow for you. There is nobody in the house but myself and the servants. Now, do behave, Bobby! Wait a min- ute, sir! I've something else to crush you with. Have you seen the evening papers,"
 No: the morning papers had been enough for him.
 Well, I'll tell you what they are doing. The Consolidated Illuminating and Power Company has secured an order from the city council con- polling the Brightlight Electric Con- pany, in which you are interested, to remove their poles from Market street"
 Bobby caught his breath sharply. Stone and Sharpe and Garland, the political manipulators of the city, and It's owners, lock, stock and bar rel, were responsible for this. They had taken advantage of his absence to cramp him still further in a business venture that had proved most unfortunate, since his soul had not been for sale. What fool I have been," he bitterly confessed, ito have taken up with this entirely irregular and idiotic enterprise, venture of which knew nothing whatever, and let go the serious fight I had intended to make on Stone and his crowd"
 Never mind, Bobby" said Agnes A1ok