Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1911-04-14
CHAPTER xI.-continued.

she was only trying you,'' replied,
taking Dearest's sayso as my authori-
ty for advancing this opinion. "she had
right to do that! Every girl does it,
in fact!"
she nearly tried me too far" he
said doggedly. But I'm sorry it all
happened, and If had known
wouldn't have risked my happiness for
the world"
There didn't seem much more that
could say after that. and l gave up
trying.
Well, anyway, it's deuced shame. :
! ended. Il must 60 up and see what
my wife thinks about It,. Meanwhile
you might be trying to persuade Barnes
over there" l smiled at the stiff elderly
gentleman on the hearthrug, ito give
ussmore time. 1t can't be twenty min.
utes to one now, and Pm afraid it
would take more time than that to per-
suade certain young lady to change
her mind, even If Dearest were to make
the attempt" But / got no answering
smile from Barnes.
II have no voice in the matter what
Z ever" he said. Il am here merely to
carry out the instructions of my client,
Mrs. James, to see that her injunc-
lions in regard to the condition upon
which Mr.. Terhune is to inherit the
piece of property in allegiance are
obeyed faithfully and to the letter"
Having finished this unfeeling speech,
which he he'd couched in as formal
phraseology as if he had been address
ing Judge and jury instead of poor old
Arch and myself, he lapsed into medi-
tative silence.
Ny friend, perceiving that there was
no help to be had in that quarter,
turned implcringly to me. Go up and
see what you can do, Vincent" he
said, there's good chap!"
with all the pleasure IN life!" re-
piled. And may persuade her to re-.
lent, who knows? So cheer up, old
fellow!" And left them.
What is all this about Terhune?"
asked excitedly, bursting into my wife's
room without my usual preliminary
knock, md quite forgetting Williams
caution that she did not wish to be
disturbed.
do you mean to say that she has
really refused the old boy? thought
you said" But there stopped, for
there on the floor with her head in
Dearest's lap. was Agatha Sixth, and
caught glimpse of a little tear
stained cheek that smote my heart
with guilty sense that there were
two sides to every question always,
and that some thing here was very
( wrong.
Will you be kind enough" began
my wife. She had been going to ask
me to leave the room, / knew. but 1t
wasn't necessary. Agatha Sixth got
to her feet on a sudden and, with a
murmur Of gratitude to my wife,
slipped past me with averted face and
fed down the corridor to her room. We
heard the door bang in the distance. |
looked at Dearest, and Dearest looked
at me.
It's the crualest thing ever heard
q. OAyfs Su0 Sd1U, 6JcdhAu6 AAoI, oAu >
should think you and your worthy
friend would be proud of your work.! !"
Yes that's just what she said. ! never
was so taken aback in my life. Dear
est speaking SO to me. Why was ! to
blame, / wanted to know! And fancy
referring to old Arch, whom Dearest
had a'ways petted and made even more
Of than ] have, as my worthy friend! !"
Really, II was amazin'!
But. my dear girl, said, 1T isn't
my work, and Terhune's more to be
pitied than to be blamed, as far as !
can see! He's awful unlucky, I'll ad,
init, but, after all, making love to
Agatha dirst on the sly isn't a hanging
matter. Is 1T"
Very we'll" said. Don't answer
me if you don't choose, and I'll go fast
enough, don't care to. stay any long
er. But think you're making great
fuss over nothing, and I don't see that
the misfortunes Of our friends lis ex-
cuse enough for a row between us, at
\ all. Issaid this with much dignity
and went toward the door. Reaching
Y, 4 threw a parting shot as I went. y
Besides" said, you know you'll
have to see me pretty soon In spite Of
\ yourself. It will be time for luncheon
IN g quarter Of an hour, and suppose
funkS =