News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1914-10-14
gence to the others. The big man say

We're all here. What next?"
There was no levity in Reynolds
yelled reply Brand saw the look, but
his own never wavered.
"Why, you came over to take the
ladies out riding, Mr.. Brand, but I've
got some business that l think you'll
be interested in and l thought you
might let them take a whirl in the
car while you and stay here and talk
it over. When l get through they can
come back and the car can take you
home"
That's satisfactory to me-" Brand
answered. you'll find the car out
side, Mrs. Collins. You, too, Mrs.
Reynolds"
Jane, who had stood like statue
since her brief greeting to the million
aire, looked from him to her husband.
| She did not shrink, but the words she
framed were slow in coming and
Brand went on:
GLOW long, Reynolds?" he asked
sharply. He glanced at handsome
watch and snapped it shut.
ooh, about half an hour" Bob in
formed him. Our business may take
less than that, but we don't want to
spoil the ladies' trip"
Dick, watching with admiration his
friends calm manipulation of the
scene, felt that in the forthcoming Sc
quel his presence would be unneces-
sary. He reached for his hat
IF you'll pardon me-" he said, 81
think III vamose for a little while
as before"
"NJc," answered Reynolds quickly,
and his tone was a command. You
stay"
Grand looked up with something
much akin to a sheer.
as that necessary" he asked.
mot necessary, Mr.. Brand, but ad-
visable," snapped Bob. Our business
is intrinsicaIly between Us, but it may
be we'll to have a witness"
In this little domestic drama Rey-
holds had quickly assumed the role
Of master, but he had reckoned with
out the mistress. In reality it was
Jane who had sailed what now seemed
an Inflated ship. If it was on the rocks
she would stay by the wheel. She adj
vanced to her husband. She was quite
cool.
"Bob," she said, "Mr. Brand is here
at my invitation. This business you
speak of is quite as much my con-
Germ as yours. If Mr.. Brand is to
stay l will stay too"
She turned to Brand.
I'm sure you're willing for Mrs. Col
Inns to use the car a while and you
won't mind if she picks up a neigh
Dor or two?"
mot at ALL" he assented
"Will you tell the chauffeur"
THAT isn't necessary" he answered. |
He'll understand"
James words offered a means Of
escape if he wanted it, but Brand |
wasn't looking for escape. Mrs. Col |
Inns adopted her friends solution of |
one difficulty and withdrew. Brand !
faced Reynolds.
"Well, what's the business?"
81 don't think that you need me-"
Dick interrupted. This seems to be |
between you three"
mo, stay, Dick!" Reynolds insisted.
you're the only friend l have here"
"Bob" his wife exclaimed. You
don't know what you're saying"
Il mean everything l said and ev-
erything I'm going to say. Well come
to your side of it later. First l want
to hear from this man.
That's easy" Brand responded.
I'm here by appointment to meet |
your wife. You're here with three wit
nesses. At first thought knew why |
you and your friend were here, but
don't think so now. If Mrs. Reynolds |
hasn't told you the purpose of my visit,
you'd better learn from her. Do you
take me for a common philanderer?
If you do you're crazier than thought i
you. But I'm not here to argue. If
Mrs. Reynolds doesn't explain, will"
The belligerent attitude of the mil
lionaire maddened Bob almost beyond
control. With doubled fists he ad-
vanced and shook one within an inch
of Brands face.
"Explain!" he shouted, what is
there for her to explain. / don't want
any explanation from her; l want 1t
from you. You may have fooled her
with your devilish clever pretenses,
but you can't fool me. If there's any
other way for me to figure this out
than just one way, God knows /
need to know"
Bob, don't be foolish" Jane warned.
you might go too far even with me.
This isn't the first time Mr.. Brand
has been here. 1t was not intended
to be his last. l have schemed and
planned and connived, but you might
misinterpret my motive and wouldn't
advise you to do that"
He turned on her now, his patience
exhausted
you poor little idiot" he cried, ARE
you still defending him, or are you
still playing the game? When a wife
.deceives her husband there's only one
answer and that's my answer to you"