The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-02-16

to quit the store and the town at once.
For your sake l made no noise
about it, concluded Acton, and
when you've had time to think the
whole matter over I'm sure you'll
thank me for it."
Mr.. Acton, 1 don't believe Henry
Barton ever did anything dishonest in
his life" said Agnes, in slow-meas-
ured words as cold and hard as steel,
''and until both sides OF the whole
question have been explained to me I
shall not decide whether L owe you
any thanks"
Although Agnes thus ended the dis
cussion of the subject for that even
ing, Acton hoped he had sowed seeds
of diStruSt that would take root be-
fore she had a chance to hear Henry's
side of the story. Agnes determined
to keep her faith in her lover, al
though his vague explanation by note
had given some strength to Acton :
insinuations. As day after day passed
and only still more vague explanations
came from Henry, she found it hard 10
fully trust him.
Swinging up from the station few
evenings later with his travelling bag.
Henry was greeted by a friend who
shook his hand warmly and told him
it was time he was coming home to
set the rumors at rest. After a few
moments conversation with this talk
ative friend, Henry turned white with
anger ana went striding off toward the
Davis cottage. AS he arrived at the
front door, Agnes and Louis Acton
were just coming out to enter the lat
ters automobile which stood throb
bing at the gate. Each of the three
knew that crisis was at hand. Ag-i
mes was chalky pale. Acton angrily
flushed and Henry stood waiting for.
somebody to break the tense silence.
well ?" Acton's voice was hoarse
his MT
''All will be well before I leave"
said Henry with quiet sarcasm, but
not until you explain in the presence
of Agnes why you set suspicious ru-
more afloat about me when I went
away" The two men eyed each 9TH
er angrily.
Really, Barton" began Acton, as
Stunning indifference, .'it is demanding
a good deal to ask another to explain
rumors which originated solely from
your own unexplained conduct. If
Miss Agnes has drawn conclusions
hardly see how 1 can be blamed"
Agnes" pleaded Henry. did you
really believe I had skipped out be-
cause L had to?"
"Oh, Henry, I tried not to-" her
trembling voice was very low. But
when your letters were so vague,
tried not to think at all"
Here is my explanation" Henry
drew from his pocket a legal-looking
paper and handed it to Agnes. Il
saved it because l wanted to surprise
you with it personally. l went to
Chicago in response to a telegram
from the Great Western Grocers, who
offered me a job as manager of a
branch store here provided a personal
interview satisfied them. That con-
tract tells you how we'll satisfied they
were, and since Mr.. Acton doesn't
seem inclined to tell why 1 left his
employ, I'll tell you in his presence.
and he'll not deny it, that 1 left be-
cause of his insulting and overbear-
ing manner to me, which I have since
learned was part of his scheme to
force me out. OF course. my sud
den departure did make things look
a bit bad, but Agnes" and Henry ig-
nored Acton as a further participant
in the conversation, lis my belated ex-
PLANTATION satisfactory
Entirely SO, Henry; and is my alb
ject apology
ITS not in order, Agnes; we've too
many other things to plan for the flu
ture TO go shopping around in the I'M
pleasant past" And as Acton's mo-
tor car carried him away toward his
mansion. they lost no time in begin
ming the discussion of their plans
Copyright, 1916. by Mcclure Newa-
paper Snydicate.)