Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-10-12
CHAPTER XXI.


CHAPTER XXI.
It was a 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 of Mr.. Vertrees' house, with
er he himself proceeded on foot.
Mr.. Vertrees had taken the sale of
half Of his worthless stock as mamma
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 a possible in
crease i'll the value of the large
amount retained by his client. 1t
might go "qutte a ways up" within a
year or so, he said and he advised
sitting tight" with it. Mr. Vertrees
went home and prayed.
He rose from his knees feeling that
he was surely coming into his own
again. 1t 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 candlestfck
maker, and hired a cook once more
1t was this seryitreSs who opened the
door for Sheridan, and presently as.
sured him that Miss Vertrees would
"be down"
nOuncing them, but after a CHASTITY
pause he bravely repeated them. you
mean he thought so much Of you that
you just couldn't stand him around?"
mo! He was sorry for me. He
cared for me; he was fond of me; and
he'd respected me-tOO much! In the
finest way he loved me, if you like,
and he'd have done anything on earth
for me, as | would for him, and as
he knew l would. 1t was beautiful,
Mr. Sheridan" she said. but the
cheap, bad things one has done seem
always to come back-they wait and
pull you down when you're happiest.
Bibbs found me out, you see; and he
wasn't in love with me at ALL"
"He wasn't? Well, it seems to me-
he gave up everything he wanted to
dot was fool stuff, but he certainly
wanted it mighty bad-he just threw
it away and walked right up and took
the job he swore he never would
just for you. And it looks to me as
if a man that'd do that must think
quite a heap O. the girl he does it for!
You say it was only because he was
sorry, but let me tell you there's only
one girl he could feel that sorry f0rl
Yes, STRIP
"No, no." she said. gibbs isn't like
other men-he would do anything for
anybody"
Sheridan grinned. perhaps not so
much as you think, nowadays" he said
For instance, l got kind of suspicion
be doesn't believe in sentiment in bust
ness But that's neither here nor
there. What he wanted was, just plain
and simple, for you to marry him.
Well, l was afraid his thinkin' so much
of you had kind o. sickened you of
him-the way it does sometimes. But
from the way you talk, l understand
that amt the trouble" He coughed,
and his voice trembled a little. Nov
here, Miss Vertrees, l don't have to
tell you-because you see things easy
l know I got no business comm to
you like this. but had to make Bibbs
go my way instead Of his OWL had
to do it for the sake O. my business
and on his own account, too-and l
expect you got some idea how it hurt
him to give up. Well, he's made good.
He didn't come in half-hearted or
mean; he came in-all the way! But
there isn't anything in it to him; you
can see he's just shut his teeth on it
and goin' ahead with dust in his mouth
You see, one way of lookin' at it, he's
got n0thin' to work for. And it seems
to me like it cost him your friendship,
and believe-honest-t what
hurt him the worst Now you said
we'd talk plain. Why can't you let
him come back"
She covered her face desperately
with her hands. 81 can'tr
He rose, defeated, and looking it.
"Well, mustn't press you," he said,
gently.
At that she cried out, and dropped
her hands and let him see her face
"Ah! He was only sorry for mep'
He gazed at her intently. Mary was
proud but she had a fatal honesty. and
it confessed the truth of her now; she
was helpless. 1t was so clear that
even Sheridan, marveling and amazed
was able to see it. Then a change
came over him; gloom fell from him,
and he grew radiant.
Don't! Don't!' she cried. "You
mustn't"
Il won't tell him." said Sheridan.
from the doorway. Il won't tell any
body anythingP'
CHAPTER XxxIH.
There was heavy town-fog that
afternoon, a smoke-mist, densest in the