Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1914-07-09


Still the deacon's mysterious tone
ranked in her mind. What if it We're
Deacon Marberry who had been back.
ing he: business? If it were Clemen.
tine vowed that she would close the
doors the very next day. But on fur.
Their thought where would Deacon Mar.
berry get $1,000 that was not needed il
his grain and hay business? The an
swer was rthcoming-Deacon Mar.
berrv's uncle, Jehoshaphat Bean. had
died six months ago. and it was ru.
mored that the deacon had come in fol
the money.
1t was after o'clock that same
evening, when Clementine was about
to lock the door after the last clerk
when there came heavy footsteps on
the porch and the great form of Cap
tain Tommy Lisk loomed into view.
"Howdy. Clem?" he said cheerily as
he leaned against pile of pasteboard
boxes on the counter. II amt seen
you in a dogs age, and l reckon we
used to see each other pretty often
what say?"
Clementine remembered. with some
amusement. that Tommy I4isk used to
call upon her once week in the long.
long ago. That was just before David
Marsh had come to town. After that
Clementine had not had eyes for any
one save the handsome David.
"How's husiness?" pursued the cap
tain genially.
VERY good" replied Cementine,
what can do for you, captain? It's
after hours. you know. and l want to
go to the lecture tonight.
Ding it ali, Glen, that's what
| stopped in for!' cried Captain Lisk,
| Shaping his huge hand on the counter.
II want to take you to the lecture to-
| night
Pm sorry, but I've arranged to go
with some one else" returned Clemen.
! tine. hiding her surprise at this be-
lated attention on the part of Captain
! Lisk. "Thank you just the same"
! We'll. better luck next time" muir.
i INJURED the captain. What you say to
! moving pictures next Tuesday, Glen.
entine?"
"Ill let you know later" said Glen
hastily. And she breathed easier when
he opened the door, At that moment
he turned back again.
] II say. Cementine Dilley. I'll bet
you can't guess who your silent part
ner is. he said jolSingly.
II might said Clementine dryly.
He amt thousand miles from
where I'm standing" said the captain
significantly, and, with mysterious
wink of his blue eye, he disappeared.
THE old sinners.' laughed Clemen-
tine as she put out the lights in the
store. "4'hey must have heard that ]
am doing good business. Imagine
my marrying Hen Marberry--or Tom.
my Liskv'
She grew very thoughtful as she
walked home under the winter stars.
Her house was at the top of the hill
under group of tall locust trees.
Since she had enlarged her business
she had hired a capable housekeeper.
and now she felt glow of pleasure
when she saw that the windows were
lighted.
There was sad thought back of il
the hurried departure of David Marsh
to assume his fathers responsibilities
in caring for mother and several
young children and then the gradual
drifting of romance out of her life
David Marsh and romance were a
dream to Clementine.
So when she opened the door and
found David Marsh waiting for her in
the cozy sitting room Clementine Dilley
discovered in splendid rush of joy
that romance was not dead after all
David Marsh was little changed. a
little gray and worn. but still the fine
outstanding lover of her youth.
No one save Clementine heard all Of
his story. but we may know that aftel
David had helped to educate his broth
ers and sisters he had met with great
financial success and that in a round.
about way he had learned of Clemen.
tine Dilley's business troubles So
David. always true to the love of his
youth. had become Clementines I'M
known silent partner.
1t was 9 o'clock. and the little group
around the stove in Pinney's grocery
still fingered. loath to go out into the
cold.
Deacon Hen Marberry was winding 8
red muller around his stringy neck
and barking sharp retorts at Captain
Tommy I.isk.
What if l did stop in to buy some
collar buttons of Clementine Dlley?"
he cried angrily IF YOU knew who
Glen Dilley's silent partner was you'd
say he had some right to buy there
Captain Lisk stared incredulously.
IF you knew who Glen Dilley'a
partner was you'd never speak up like
that to me- Hen Marberry I'll venture
to say that Glenn Diley's going to
marry her silent partner. and he's
standing not thousand miles from
where | he this minute.'
Ding bust it. Tommy Lisk. faint
no such thing" snarled the deacon
when l say he's standing not d