The Southern herald., 1915-10-22

come to the Office this week, though.
"Of course not" answered Wright
quickly. But, Miss Dean, if were tt
call for you in my car and take you
home, don't you think you could heIr
me out with few letters? You know
simply can't let anybody else know
about that matter"
why, certainly, Mr.. Wright. am
sure | can come, If you really need
me-"
I'll be round in ten minutes" an.
swered Wright, and telephoned for
the chauffeur.
Half an hour later Wright was con-
graduating himself upon his move.
He could not possibly have confided
to the public stenographer that he
was heavily tied up. His wifes father,
a cautious man of business, had gone
through his books and promised him
substantial loan. This necessitated
good deal of correspondence, and
only Daisy could help him. Before
she left that evening it had been ar
ranged that he should call for her
every morning during the ensuing
week and take her home at night.
He helped her from the elevator
into the street, where his car stood
waiting, and drove her to Dotsboro
Cadman Green, posted at his club
window, looked down upon the sight.
The poor chaps losing his head"
he Uttered. Woman, too, l guess.
II l was one of Wright's clients who
come to him to invest their money for
them, I'd draw it all out before the
inevitable-yes, sir, the inevitable
elopement."
From her window Miss Susan Min
turn watched Daisy drive up with her
employer.
tits a disgrace to the neig ghborhood,
Robert" she said to her brother angri-
ly. "And it's going to be stopped"
L can't stop it," Robert muttered.
Il know you can't" said his sister,
mimicking him. "But I've done it. I
wrote an unsigned letter to Austin
Clark yesterday"
Daisy had hardly got home that eve
ming when Austin Clark appeared be-
fore hor, hot, indignant and declama-
tory.
Il want to know who the fellow Isl"
he thundered, after he had launched
forth in bitter accusation against her
See here, Daisy" he continued, a lit
tie more mildly as he realized that he
had aroused her spirit, this thing
Isn't right, You and l are engaged,
and you are seen driving out every
morning with this fellow, and he
comes home with you at night. 1
know who he Is, too. can put things
together. He's Wright"
He looked at her trlumphantly, as IL
he had made wonderful discovery.
If you had asked me in the begin
ming should have told you that it was
Mr. Wright" said Daisy quietly.
But that makes it worse" snarled
Austin. "See here, what business
have you to let your boss drive you
around town and make talk Of you
in this way? 1t reflects on me, too.
You ought to have seen the letter
got this morning."
From whom?"
Il don't know from whom. It isn't
signed. People don't sign that sort
of letter"
And you dare-you dare to make
such accusations against me on the
strength OF an anonymous letter, Aus
tin?"
She would not dream now of telling
him the simple explanation. The
thought that he should have listened
to invidious gossip instead of trying
to protect her was maddening. She
drew his ring off her finger.
Il think we made a mistake. Aus.
tin," she said.
He swung upon his heel. "I think
so, too," he answered with bitter en-
phasis, and slammed the door behind |
him.
Daisy, with compressed lips, sat |
brooding over his treatment of her. |
She was stunned by the malignity that |
seemed suddenly to envelop her. But |
she would fight it down. Her anxiety |
over her employers affairs, her de-
sire to be loyal to him forbade any |
other course. And never should he |
know what she had suffered because
Of him.
She let him drive her to and from
the office for days, even after she
was able to walk. That was youths
unwise reply to envy. And daily Cad
man Green, seated at the club win
dow, watched and waited for the elope-
ment Gradually, too, the news per-
meated the gossipy little town.
Wright alone remained serenely in ig-
norance Of what was being said. All
he knew was that his wife's headaches
were more frequent than usual, and
his business worries overshadowsd
that fact.
In two or three days her father had
promised to place a substantial
amount to his credit. That would en-
able him to meet his obligations.
Daisy knew It and rejoiced with him.
Miss Susan, watching like a cat for
her return each night, had to admit
that the girl did not lnclr Ii1rn 4hn ia |