Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-05-23
CHAPTER XXI,

CHAPTER XXI. I
It was full hour later when he left
her lying upon a couch in her own
room, still lamenting that the "fuss"
which she was making irked him far
more than his physical loss. He per-
mitted her to think that he meant to
return directly to his Office, but when
he came out to the open air he told the
chauffeur in attendance to await him
in front ofMr. yertrees' house, width
er he himself proceeded on foot.
Mr.. Vertrees had taken the sale of
half of his worthless stock as mama
in the wilderness; it came from heav-
en-by what agency he did not partic-
ularly question. The broker Informed
him that parties were Interested in
getting hold of the stock" and that
later there might be apostolic in
crease In the value of the large
amount retained by his client 1t
might go quite ways up" within a
year or so, he said, and he advised
sitting tight" with it. Mr.. vertrees
went home and prayed. q. -
He rose from his knees feeling that
he was surely coming into his own
again. It was more than a mere gasp
Of temporary relief with him, and his
wife shared his OPTIMISM; but Mary
would not let him buy back her piano.
and as for furs-spring was on the
way, she said. But they paid the but
cher, the baker and the candlestick
maker, and hired a cook once more.
It was this servitress who opened the
door for Sheridan, and presently as
sured him that Miss Vertrees. would
"be down." 49,.
He was not the man to conceal admi-
ration when he felt it, and he flushed
and beamed as Mary made her APP
pearance, almost upon the heels Of the
cook. She had look of apprehension
for the first fraction of a second, but
1t vanished at the sight OF him. and It's
place, was taken in her eyes by soft
brilliance. while color rushed in her
cheeks. 3,@r s, -s.r' $,.@.->s 80
\ Don't be surprised" he said. Truth
is, in a way it's sort of on business I
looked in here It'll only take a min
ute, I expect 49,,
"1'm sorry said Mary. II hoped
you'd come because we're neighbors."
He chuckled. "Neighbors! Some
times people don't see so much o. their
neighbors as they used to-, That is, l
hear, so-lately."
You'll stay long enough to sit down,
won't you?"
II guess I could manage that
much" And they sat down. facing
each other and not far apart
"Of course, it couldn't be called busi-
ness, exactly" he said. more gravely
mot at all, expect. But therel !
something o. yours it seemed to me-
I ought to give you. and just thought
1t was better to bring it myself and
explain how I happened to have 1t. It's
this-this letter you wrote my boy"
He extended the letter to her solemnly,
in his left hand, and she took it gently
from him. 1T was in his mail. after
he was hurt. You knew he never got
1t, expect" '.
eyes," she said. in a low voice.
He sighed. "I'm glad he didn't.
Not" he added, quickly-"not but what
you did Just right to send it. You did.
You couldn't acted any other way
when 1t came right downtto it. There
amt any blame comm to you-you
were aboyeboard all through"
Mary said. ,"Thank you," almost In
a whisper, and with her head bowed
low. .4a ...~ sf ~.
''You'll have to excuse me for readin'
It. had to take charge Of all his
mail and everything; I didn't know
the handwritin', and read 1t all--once
I got started" ....y[
I'm glad you did, ...,.... r., -.
.."Well'--he leaned forward as II
to rise-'I guess that's about all. /
just thought you ought to have it."
THANK you for bringing it."
He looked at her hopefully, as IL
be thought and wished that she might
have something more to say. But she
seemed not to be aware of this glance,
and sat with her eyes fixed sorrowfully
upon the door. u ,se
"Well, i expect, l better be gettin'
back to the ONCE" he said, rising des-
II told told my partner
"a be back at two o'clock. and / guess
he'll think I'm 4 poor business man
II be, catches me behind time I got
to walk the chalk a mighty straight.
line these days-with that fellow keep
In tabs on mer'
Mary rose with him. "I've always
heard you were the hard driver
He sunawed derisively. "Mef I'm
nothin' to that partner 0, mine. You
couldn't gness to save your lie how
he keeps after me to hold up my END
. the Job. shouldn't be surprised
he'd give me the grand bounce some
lay, and run the whole circus himself.
Ton know how he is--once he goes at
j thingy'
@.'No," shs smiled. II didn't know
vou had : partner. I'd always heard