Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1914-11-05
CHAPTER XIV.
Surprised.


The inadvertent use Of Brands
name did not give Dick the surprise
he feigned. As Mrs. Collins went out
he looked at Jane in startled sort OF
way and she advanced to him.
You heard?" she said.
"Of course heard"
well, what about IT." she asked
defiantly.
You take my question out OF my
mouth, Jane. That is what was won
dering. What about IT."
Her eyes flashed. Again she was
very beautiful and again there APP
peared that queenly bearing that be-
spoke a dominant spirit and made her
words superfuous.
Dick" she said, you and l have
been good friends. hope that We
shall remain so. But this is my affair.
This isn't the first time that Brand
has been here"
II met him once"
But mean since then. He's been
mere SeNeTdl tlIHcb'
II know that, too" the reporter an
swered calmly. But I'm sorry he's
coming today"
Sorry? Why should you be sorry?
You have some perverted idea OF why
he comes-and what he's doing. Why
don't you express IT."
II haven't qualified as a moral CEN
sor as yet, Jane. You say have some
idea OF why Brand Is coming. Yes,
l have an idea, but have no knowl-
edge. l tell you / have known that
he has been coming and without Bob's
knowledge" He stepped forward and
took her hand. Jane, I've been-well,
not extremely happy, but l haven't
inflicted my grief on you or anybody
else."
Certainly not" she answered az
gressively. There's no reason why
you should Mr.. Brand has as much
right to be here as you or anyone
else"
He dropped her hand and smiled a
little sadly as he answered:
I'm afraid that is little unworthy
Of you. am here at the standing in
vitation of the Reynolds: not lately re-
newed on your part, to be sure, but
quite recently on Bob'e. That's why
I'm sorry; sorry for him and you and
perhaps for your prospective guest.
Though l don't believe" he added
quickly, 81 shall shed any great guam
tity OF tears on his account. Bobs
coming home early. That's why I'm
here. He asked me to meet him here
at three o'clock"
He took out his watch.
Its q quarter past three now" he
said. What time are we likely to
have the pleasure Of Mr.. Brands COM
pany?"
ANY minute" Jane answered coolly.
HE should be here now" She cast
a bored look of ascetic elegance at
Dick, as II to say: ''Is there any rea-
son why he shouldn't be my guest II
/ choose to have him?" But the
glance was lost on Dick, or he pre-
ferred to ignore 1t. He dropped his
sapient air for an expression OF real
alarm. Impulsively he took her hand
again. She made as II to withdraw It,
but the reporters grasp was firm.
Janet" he exclaimed. Bob mustn't
see Brand here. am not questioning
you or your motives, but ! know Bob's
feelings toward that man and ! know
that Brand can't be here with his
knowledge" He turned quickly toward
the table for his hat. 'I'll get out and
stop him." he said. Tell Bob ! was
here II he comes first. He might see
me. I'll say ] was down to the Ger
mans"
The reporters mind worked rapidly.
He started hurriedly to the door.
"Wait!" Jane ordered. You'll do
nothing of the sort. I'll attend to this
thing myself. Mr.. Brand wouldn't
pay any attention to you in the first
place and in the second l don't want
10 stop his coming here. Bob has got
TO know sooner or later and 1t might
as well be today. Whatever you may
think. I've done nothing that I'D
ashamed Of"