The Glenwood post., 1916-02-26
BUSINESS REASONS
BY KEITH KENYON.

Evidently Jack Elliott is getting
serious in his attentions to that old
brewers young widow" said Mrs.
Morehouse as she looked out from
her comfortable porch rocker across
Mrs. Ward were approaching the club
house.
1T does look that way" repliea
Mrs. Atwater, between sips of tea,
"and just as everybody had concluded
that he and Dorothy Winters would
make match of it,
Some say the widows fortune looks
good to Jack; but wonder what Dor
othy thinks of it," Knowing that
Mrs. Atwater was on cordial terms
with the rather exclusive Winters
family, Mrs. Morehouse hoped to CLEAN
some interesting details.
I'm sure l don't know" said Mrs.
Atwater shortly. II notice her out
with Chester Hill lot lately"
$50 far as fortunes go, Chester's
will more than equal Mrs. Wards,
suppose. Why, bless my soul'-and
Mrs. Morehouse opened her narrow
eyes to their limit-''if there isn't
Dorothy this minute with Chester in
his new carl"
A moment later slender, auburn
haired girl in brown corduroy suit
and soft hat came swinging easily
up the porch steps, and beside her
puffed fat, florid man of perhaps
forty, dressed in faultlessly tailored
motoring togs. They gave nod Of
greeting to the two observant women
and passed around to the other side
of the porch.
Until month before that, Jack and
Dorothy had been together so often
and were so obviously happy when
together that an engagement had
been expected as a natural outcome,
but one evening when he was to es-
cort her to a dinner dance at an ex-
elusive club she received at the last
minute brief note from him telling
that an annoying business associate
had made it impossible to get away
without giving offense that would
sndanger his hard-earned chances of
being taken into the firm. He was
sending Larry Morton to take care of
Dorothy that evening, and he begged
ler to accept his abbreviated explana-
ion and his willing substitute until
le could arrive and explain in full.
But the evening had passed without
1is arrival
Percy Anson shook a plump, pink
inger at Dorothy as she passed out
If the dressing room on ner way
1ome, and whispered something
about the necessity of her keeping a
watch on Jack Elliott, whom he had
seen at the Dinsmore hotel at six
o'clock with ripping sort Of
blonde woman" Dorothy blushing-
wondered whether anyone who
heard that stage whisper knew Of
lack sending substitute to take
his place as her escort that eve
hing, but just then good-natured Larry
came and gently pushed her along to
he waiting taxicab She tried to be
cordial as they drove home, but bare
.ivility was all she could accomplish,
or her mind was busy trying to recon-
:ile Jacks explanatory note, which
lad not explained, with the chance i'm
oertinence of Percy Anson. which had
explained. Larry had to hurry away
% catch train for business trip
south, which was agreeable to Dor
'thy, who longed to be left alone.
After she went to bed she planned
,ne minute to avoid meeting Jack to
give him an opportunity to simplify
ais false explanation, and the next
minute she reproached herself for let
ing foolish remark from a gossipy
good explanation would be given for
what unquestionably did look bad.
Then she reflected that Jacks failure
20 come before the end Of the dance,
IS he had intimated he would, might
mean that his full explanation would
1ot be forthcoming. After an almost
sleepless night she went down to
ion to be perfectly Indifferent to
any explanation Jack might make.
Which meant that she was going to
be unreasonable, no matter what his
explanation.
At nine clock the telephone rang.
Although Dorothy sat almost within
reach of it, and although she felt
sure that Jack was at the other end
Of the wire, she sat apparently alb
sorbed in the morning paper while
the maid answered the call and in
formed her that it was for her.
Good morning, Merry Sunshine!"
called Jack, not aware Of the cloud
ed atmosphere he was trying to pene-
trate. Am going to be forgiven for
my sins of omission?"
Good morning" answered coldly
calm voice. Have had the full ex.
planation of your sins of omission?"
Really, Dot" pleaded Jack, there
are lot OF people in earshot, which
makes it awkward to explain in full.