Dewey County advocate. [volume] (Timber Lake, S.D.) 1910-1913, 1911-02-10
CHAPTER III.
Z MIGHT Have Known It.


The minute I had consented l re-
gretted it. After all, what were JIM
yny's troubles to me? Why should l
help him impose on an unsuspectiug
elderly woman? And it was only put
ting off discovery anyhow. Sooner or
later, she would learn of the divorce.
and-Just at that instant my eyes fell
on Mr. Harbison-Tom HARRISON. as
Anne called him. He was looking en-
with an amused, half-puzzled smile.
while people were rushing around hid
ing the roulette wheel and things of
which Miss Caruthers might disap-
prove. and Betty Mercer was on her
knees winding up toy bear that Max
had brought her. What would he
think? 1t was evident that he thought
badly of us already-that he was con-
temptuously amused. and then to
have to ask him to lend himself 70 the
deception!
With gasp 1 hurled myself after
Jimmy, only to hear 3 strange voice
In the hall and to know that was too
late. was in for it. whatever was
coming. 1t was Aunt Selma who was
coming-along the hall, followed by
jim. who was hopping his face and
trying not to notice the paralyzed ST.
lence in the library
Aunt Selma met me in the doorway.
TO NY frantic eyes she seemed to
tower above US by at least foot. and
beside her Jimmy was a red. perSpir-
Ing cherub.
Here she is Jimmy said. from be-
hind temporary eclipse of black
cloak and travelling bag. He was on
top of the situation now, and he was
mendaciously cheerful. He had not
said, Here Is my wife" That would
.have been a lie. No, Jimmy merely
said. "Herc she is" If Aunt Selma
chose to think me Bella. was it not
her responsibility? And if chose to
accept the situation, was it not mine?
Dallas Brown came forward gravely
as Aunt Selma folded over and kissed
me, and surreptitiously patted me
with one hand while he held out the
other to Miss Caruthers. ,oathed
him!
I'VE always expect something TN
usual from James, Miss Caruthers."
he said, with his best manner, but
this-this is beyond our widest
dreamsV
We IT'S too awful to linger ever.
Anne cox her upstairs and into
Bella's bedroom. 1t was a fancy of
Jims to leave that room just as Bella
had left it. dusty dance cards and ia
vors hanging around and pair Of dis
carded slippers under the bed. don't
think 1t had been swept since Bella
left it. believe in sentiment. but
like it brushed and busted and the
eobwebs on of it. and when Aunt Sc
lima put down her bonnet. it stirred
up a gray white cloud that made her
cough. She did not gay anything. but
che looked around ths room grimly,
and saw her run her finger over
the back Of chair before she let
Hannah. the maid. put her cloak on It..
Anne looked frightened. She ran
into Bella's bath and wet the end Of
\ towel and when Hannah was chang
lug Aunt Selina's collar-hcr conces-
sion to evening dress-Anne wiped
of the obvious places on the furniture.
Whats that young wClnan's
manner" she asked me sharply. when
Anne had taken the towel out to hide
st.
anne Brown. Mrs. Dallas Brown"
replied meekly. Every one replied
meekly to Aunt Selma.
Does she live here?"
"Oh. no." said airiiy. They are
here 20 dinner, she and her husband.
They are old friends of Jim'S-and
mine"
Seems to have a good eye for
Dirt" said Aunt Selma and went on
fastening her brooch. When she YVES