The citizen., 1914-10-30
CHAPTER xv-continued.

Il don't say you have, Jane. I'm not
accusing you of anything. l am just
looking at it from the outsiders point
OF view. Honestly" he continued
warmly, Il haven't thought in the
I world that you have done anything
wrong, but you may have blundered,
and, Jane. when poor mans wife Sc
eretiy meets a rich man in her hus-
bands absence, it's going to take lot
OF love to make him overlook 1t, and a
lot more to keep him from guessing
at what's been going on"
His hand was still on the door
knob.
Don't you think l had better go?'
he insisted.
mo, l don't"
The sound Of footsteps on the walk
told them that further argument was
useless. 1t was Reynolds. He greeted
them both and came forward to kiss
his wife.
Why. how fine you look, honey" he
I said. Were you going out?"
He stood surveying her hat, her
face, her dress down to her well-shod
feet, as one might look over the fine
parts Of thoroughbred. And that
is what she was.
Pretty fine looking wife I've got,
eh, Dick?" he said. not facetiously, but
with trace of real pride.
There's no doubt about that" the
reporter agreed.
And pretty finely decked out, too.
Makes all those things herself. don't
see how she does 1t, but she does"
Ostensibly to light q cigarette. Dick
turned away. He could not face his
friend or Jane while Reynolds spoke
those words that SO palpably betrayed
his wife's deception. His heart went
out to Bob. Who does not feel an
aching throb for the blinded husband;
the big man, good and true, who boasts
Of wife's enterprise and loyalty when
his head should droop with hers for
shame? Dick thought of Brand and
felt the rushing of his blood through
out his veins. If the millionaire had
stepped in at that instant he might
have had need of more than suavity to
save him from fate that was Justly
his.
Reynolds. oblivious to all these
thoughts, addressed his wife:
Don't let US interfere with your aft
ernoon, DEAR" he continued. Dick
and are going to work here, so you
just toddle right along. Come on, my
philologist." he said to Dick, heres
material for your talents anl ito a
good two-hour job"
He deposited ON the table a bundle
OF reports and maps and drew up two
chairs.
What Is the idea, Bob?" asked Jane.
Il didn't know you had taken Dick
into partnership"
Nor have l, but he has consented
to share a few OF the wonderful
phrases that he wastes on desert air
and turn them to some purpose. He's
going to help me draw up a final re-
port on the Pecos dam. It's my big.
gest job and want to make 1t sound
impressive-a sort of literary classic,
you know"
A ring at the door startled Dick and
Jane.
"Ill CO." she said quickly, but Rey-
nolds interposed. He stepped to the
door and admitted Mrs. Collins. The
scene was setting rapidly. but the vii
lain seemed to have missed his cue
He was late.
why. Mr.. Reynolds" exclaimed her
buxom neighbor. aren't you home
early? Looks like it's going to be
quite a party" She looked at Jane.
but found no enlightenment there.
We'll, here l am" she continued
ITS the best can do, getting ready
In minute. Hasn't Mr.. Brand come
YETI"
Reynolds, bending over the papers
a. the table, started slightly at the
question and paused as IL doubling
whether he had heard Alright. The
smile died from his face and he looked
up. not at Jane. but at Dick. The
reporters face was blank.
We'll. maybe he isn't coming now,"
Mrs. Collins added. and to Jane. shall
go2"
'Oh. no." Reynolds interpolated
quickly. He's coming. He was de-
layed little"