The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-12-24

There's one thing more" Trudell
said 'AThe hardest Of ALL Pen must
never know that you know. You
mustn't pity him or let him see you
unhappy or help him to tell you.
observation-disclosures is q mans
fight II he knows that you know he
failed--though he wasn't to blame
It'll hurt his self-respect, and that
you mustn't do. For his good and
yours, he must think always that he
weathered this alone. Don't let him
tell you otherwise"
II know, know know hin-and
you're right. can do it-you'll see.
But now" Her too bright eyes
turned from one to the other, entreat.
ing. Help me once more! Help me
! find him; get him here. want him
to take care of. must have
! him home, tell you'll"
They got an auto map and began
telephoning garages along the route
the taxi would take-ff it had started.
.. At the seventh garage they
learned that taxi--one man passen-
ger-had stopped for gasolene and
that the chauffeur had inquired the
, road to the colony. Horny did not speak
till he had it ALL
tits Pen, right enough! Barring &C.
cidents, he'll be here in half-hour."
Sue leaned so heavily against the chair
that it slid with her, and Trudell
caught her.
Forty-five minutes later the taxi
crawled and coughed and sputtered to
I. the door. Billy Trudell was out, gave
the chauffeur over to the second man
! and had Pen in to the hall fire before
sober man could have questioned his
/. movements. From their darkened cor
ner behind the screen the three hidden
; ones saw Pen; and Horny gave thanks.
silently, that he was no worse than
sleepy and chilled and dazed They
saw him look about expectantly.
,, When did you come, Tru'?" he
asked without surprise. Il c-came
home in taxi. Foolish thing!
. Where's Sue?" Behind the screen she
,, caught her breath and Olivia gripped
her hand in warning.
Gone to bridge party-all Of EN-"
/. Trudell explained glibly. Il wanted to
! laze around, so they left me. Heavens
;, opened t'day, Tru'. an dropped mamma.
: I'm rich man, Tru'. Can't tell y any
.
: Say, did you ever see those long white
! bills the markets sen in once month?
Must cost IN a heap for paper. Items
all downshow y some time. Why
doesn't Sue Gomez"
!, about time parted Trudeli.
;, Have You such thing as highball,
yonder?"
Il brought her two strings pearls"
4 Penny went on. unheeding. Fool Of
4 a good OIL Horny thought he was go
: ing t give her pearls =. been all
. right if could-but heavens hadn't
opened then, an I couldn't An if
% couIdn't--he mustn't You know how
. tbs, Tru'."
Il know" said Trudell Lets go
Il make a. Penny came from his
i. chair, wide awake.
k "Tru'-where Is she? Sues here--I
. feel her! What you lynn about? She
k In your own house." roared Trudell,
seems to me the least you can do is to
H. be civil Do l get q drink? Or don't
e II"
K Why beg your" Pen hesita-
g ted. frowning, uncertain; but Tru's
W hand on his arm turned him about
IS even as his troubled eyes centered on
the screen that hid her. The three in
Iy hiding were out instantly the hall was
Or clear, wraps caught up. and were safe
1t ly through the door. Sue ran on and
If out into the storm, catching up the
h damp snow, scrubbing it over her
to cheeks. her gown trailing through the
IN clinging whiteness; then up and past
le them she hurried, and in
as Pen" she called. "Peni I'm
It, here" He came, fiinging the glass
e. from his hand at sight of her!
Your cheeks are wet, he said quick.
is ly, putting her away that he might see
le She laughed up at him, brilliant, CO.
y, quoting.
e. Il could run through the snow
ri love 1t! And I'm wet-wet-" She
e. put out her small satin shoe-damr
IN and stained. The silken ankles and
chiffons above were drabbled with wet
d, He took the turn she had meant him
at to take.
Good gracious! You must put or
re dry things-Horry, what were YOU
n about, to let her do it? don't like thi!
n its the first time you've failed to b.
no here"
And the last-the very last" sh
tn promised. ''But don't scold now---no
to till I'm dry; and you're coming up t
take care of me- because I'm tha
nd weary"
,e- They were half way up the broa,
ut staircase when he remembered, an,
es turned from his fond absorption in he
ed to look back. Il say he called, "yo
en- don't mind? It's late--and I've 10
u Z tell her! Piece of luck-Chris'
lie gift ahead Of time" Something of tn
undercurrent of feeling touched him
ID for he fingered, smiling down. Goo
ng folks" he nodded, the three hes
I'D ever! Good night you all!'
as Good night-good night" Su
- called, and put out her hands to then
her face alight with what she Nigh
not utter, giving her heart in grea
lily gratitude and love and benedictior
IN, Olivias eyes brimmed over and sh
could not answer; but Horny, hi
er: wife's hand tight. in his, smiled bac
nd Good night" And Billy Trudell sal
ct, 1t, after him, in his usual impassiy
Cd way; but his bent head, as he me
lst Sues eyes, was proud as that of tn
Ter knight who receives his accolade.
<xxv1 u.