The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-05-22


compelled 10 take his departure.
Still the deacon's mysterious tone
ranked in her mind. What II 1t were
Deacon Marberry who had been back
ing her business? IL 1t 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 in
his grain and hay business? The an
swer was forthcoming-Deacon Mar
berry's uncle, Jehoshaphat Bean. had
died six months ago, and it was ru-
mored that the deacon had come In for
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 a pile of pasteboard
boxes ON the counter. II amt seen
you In u dogs age, and 1 reckon we
used to see each other pretty often
what say?"
Clementine remembered. with some
amusement. that Tommy Lisk 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.
Flows business?" pursued the cap
tain genially.
every good" replied Clementine.
"What can 1 do for you, captain? It's
after hours, you know, and l want to
go to the lecture tonight"
"Ding it all, Glen, that's what I
stopped in fort" cried Captain Lisk,
Shaping his huge hand on the counter.
II want to take you to the lecture to-
night"
'I'm 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"
"Well. better luck next time" MUIR
INJURED the captain. what you say to
moving pictures next Tuesday, Glenn
entine?'
'T'll let you know later" said Glenn
hastily. And she breathed easier when
he opened the door. At that moment
he turned back again.
81 say, Clementine Dilley, I'll bet
you can't guess who your silent part
ner is" he said jokingly.
~ might" said Clementine dryly.
"He amt a thousand miles from
where I'm standing" said the captain
significantly, and. with a mysterious
wink of his blue eye. he disappeared
'The old sinners!'' laughed Clemen-
tine as she put out the lights in the
store. "They must have heard that
am doing a good business. Imagine
my marrying Hen Marberry-or Tom
my Lisk"
She grew very thoughtful as she
walked home under the winter stars.
Her house was at the top Of the hill
under a group Of tall locust trees.
Since she had enlarged her business
she had hired a capable housekeeper,
and now she felt a glow of pleasure
when she saw that the windows were
lighted
There was sad thought back Of it
ala brief romance Of few months.
the hurried departure of David Marsh
to assume his fathers responsibilities
in caring for a 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 a splendid rush of joy
that romance was not dead after all.
David Marsh was little changed,
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 after
David had helped to educate his broth
ers and sisters he had met with great
financial success and that in 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 Clementine's 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
red muller around his stringy neck
and barking sharp retorts at Captain
Tommy Lisk.
"What IL / did stop in to buy some
collar buttons Of Clementine DilleyY
he cried angrily. IF you knew who
Glen Dilley's silent partner was you'd
say he had some right to buy therev'
Captain Lisk stared incredulously.
'Tf you knew who Glen Dilley's
partner was you'd never speak up like
that to me, Hen Marberry. I'll venture
to say that Glen Dilley's going to
marry her silent partner, and he's
standing not a thousand miles from
where be this minutev'
"Ding bust 1t. Tommy Lisk, "'tain't
no such thingw snarled the deacon.
when / say he's standing not a
thousand miles from where be this
minute I'm speaking the TRUTH reit-
Grated the captain.
IT,