Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1911-06-15
CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVI.
Bennington and Mrs. Jack dined at
the old nome that evening. There "a
plenty of gloom and forced gaiety
around the board. John pretended that
he was well out Of a bad job; he was
not a dreamer nor a socialist, not he;
Utopia was not for the iron age. No
but the mother had the courage to
ask If he really meant to e down the
mills. h leaned over the chair.
John. shall you really do it? Tear
it down.
You would not have me take back
my words?"
Your father loved the place."
And do 1 not?" a note OF strong
passion in his voice. II shall tear it
down. If l live. Do not ask me. any
thing more about it. Has Dick been
over today?"
HE telephoned that he would be over
after dinner. He wants you to go to
the speech-making tonight" Patty
rose from her seat at the table.
Patty" said John, rather surprised
at his discovery, you are almost a
woman!"
ly," said Mrs. Jack. Patty has been q
beautiful for several months"
Patty started. restrained the impulse
to speak. and searched Mrs. Jacks
face. But Mrs. Jack had eyes for no
one but John. Her thought was far re-
moved from her words. That telephone
message rang in her ears every hour
he verge of telling John. the e h
dared not. What had that wretch
found out? What could he have found
out? A lie: it could be nothing
more nor less than a lie; but the sus-
pense and the waiting were killing her.
Think of it," said John. Patty
will be marrying before long"
when Patty marries, mother" said
John, you shall come and live with
Kate and me-
you are moving me around like a
piece OF useless furniture" replied
Patty. Il doubt IL I shall ever marry"
"Bosh!" laughed John. "There'll
come some bold Lochinvar for you, one
Of these days, and then of you'll go.
There's the bell. That must be Dick
Patty and Mrs. Jack crossed glances
self and brought Warrington back with
him.
Won't you nave a cup of tea. Mr..
Warrington?' asked the mother.
THANK you ! WILL" Warrington stir
red the tea. gazing pleasantly from
face to face.
The lines in his race seemed deeper
~ ~ AAS " AA0S III AN Y w
We're dark. and the squareness of the
jaw was more prominent. John saw
10 change, but the three women did.
Warrington looked
well John, I see that you have done
it,"
yes"
Pm terribly sorry. but you couldn't
back down now and live in town."
You see, mother?" John smiled sad
ly.
Presently they moved into the liv-
ing room. Warrington longed to sit be-
side Patty. but of q sudden he had
grown diffident. Words were no longer
at his commando; he was no longer at
his ease. He was afraid OF Patty; and
he was very, very lonely.
Mrs. Jack had taken the sea- next
to him, and vas asking him about the
progress Of the play. It was going on
so indifferently that he was Of half q
mind to destroy 1t. which he did later.
His glance always came back to Patty.
She was bent Owe her basketwork. She
was calling him Mr.. Warrington again.
Had he offended her In any manner?
The light from the lamp sparkled in
her hair. She was as fresh and beauti-
full as q July rose. But Mrs. Jack was
an artist. She knew how to draw him
out; and shortly he was talking AMI
matedly. It wal now that Patty's eyes
began to rove.
John. his fingers meeting in IN arch,
one leg thrown ~restlessly across the
other. th~oughtfully eyed his wife and
his friend. 1t was q lie: there was
nothing in all the world so honest as
Warrtngton's hand. so truthful as his
wife's eyes. Cursed be the doubt that
had Wedged between these two he
loved.
Time passes quickly or slowly. &C.
cording to the state Of mind. To John
the time was long; to Patty and. War
rtngton 1t was too short; to Mrs. Jack
pended.
Time for us to 90. John. You are
not particular about q chair, are your
Warrington asked.
Mot l. I prefer to stand up in the
rear OF the hall. II I am bored / can
easily escape"
"Oh, the night will not be without
some amusement"
Take good care Of john" whispered
Mrs. Jack in W~arrington's ear. as the
two men were about to depart.
Trust met" Warrington smiled.
Patty a John observed this brief
intercourse. The eyes OF love ara sharp.
John; but something had entered into
their lives that gave TO all ftriviai
Things . ponderous outline.
Don let my reporters talk to
John. Mr.. Warrington" requested the
mother.
"yIl surround him."
shall We waIk?" asked John.
Az can see better on foot
"We1l walk, then"
20 the two men went down town on
foot. and JOes galloped back and forth
99yousIy. At any and al times 10 wa
happy with his master. The ono bane
- his existence was g0ne, the . Ho
va monarch Of the houss:, ~ could
eleeps on sofa pillows ana roll on IN