The Holt County sentinel. (Oregon, Mo.) 1883-1980, 1916-03-24
EXPLAINING THINGS
BY HOPE AiNSLEE.

] money ana good ioObS ana n fam
lily mansion are perfectly good accom-
paniments for eligibility" said Agnes
inadvertently. but what n man has
doesn't make aim eligible; it's wha,
he u.s."
Agnes began her mother severe.
ly. as she shifted ner embroidery
frame nervously, when girl has
reached the age OF twenty-five she
ought to be willing to settle down In
n good nome with a good provider. DO
"A good proyider'" repeated Agnes
disgustcdly. oh. mother. That Jug-
gcsts Just food and clothes and shel.
ter" A moment later she added: Il
may as well tell you before Mr.. Ac.
ton arrives to take me 10 that concert
this evening that could never marry
him. and that have already promised
to marry Henry Barton"
Louis Acton likes Louis Acton bet
ter than We does anybody else. and
he'll like him moro and more as he
grows older" Agnes was still cool
In manner although her voice slightly
trcmblcd. Aud that ilonrys GRANDPA.
thcr was blacksmith doesn't shock
mo any more than that Louis Actions
grandfather was clever land buyer
whose close trades were barely with
IN legal bounds
While Agnes and her parents sat In
uncomfortable silence rims at the
doOfbcll hcraldch n boy bringing "a
hurried note from Henry telling her
that hc was leaving that night for
Chicago. from which city she would
hear from him In day or two. "Youll
ho surprised and pleasantly / hope,
the letter ended. when my story Ia
ready To- toll
For several months Louis Acton had
not been satisfied with his progress IN
securing IN" favor oI Agnes nor with
the frequency OF Henry lartuu's Visits
Ut the Davis homo. llul during the
month Just passed n" felt that no
had gained some ground by having
nut Henry out Ut the running. tempo.
rarity ilg had bought a., towns
largest general store. where Henry
was employed. and ai enforced so
many unreasonable rulpJ tpun contain
clerks that Henry had resigned on a
days notice, as Acton had intended
to !or, him 10 do.
As 50 r'lnruuI n m the concert
Acton told NpJcs very softly that IN
all he did "a" considered nor happi.
ness. aud that In likIug over the bust.
"nH w.,sr l.,LIy had boyu urduti.
cally manager thiugs had como to
light Wh.H m''' II iiub,r tor the
latter ~ quit the store and the town
"a, once.
For y"nr enH". ! waI" no ho,aa
about IT, concluded Acton. and when
you &c ..l t.mu t. tuiua the whole
urtt"" over Ia sure yuuIl thank ~,
Tor H.
MIR. Acton, don't believe Henry
ia ton over d.l anything dlshuuost
IN his l',r,' fn.i Aguus.
Although Agnes thus Guided tho dis.
cus8iun Ut tie subject tor that eve
ming, Acton hoped Uo hal spwrd seed
of distru.t that would tJbr root b..
fore rhc had chance Go hear liruryp
side Ul the story
Swinging up from TIE station lrw
evenings later with his travelling hts.
Henry was greeted by friend wuu
shook his hand warmly and told him
II was lime hr was coming homo to
BET the rumurs at rest. After a few nc.
murtb conversation with this talk
alive friend, Henry turned white with
anger and went strliug on toward
the Davis cottage, As he arrived al
the front door, Agnes and Louis AC
ton were Just coming out to enter tho
lattor.s automobile which stood thrub
Ding at tho safe Each ul the three
knew that a cfisi5 VAS at hand. Az
nos was chalky pale. Acton angrlly
flushed. and Henry stood waiting for
somebody 10 break tho tense 81
lence.
"Nell?" Actions voice was hoarse,
his manner pcremptory.
AN will be well before ! leave"
said Henry with quiet sarcasm. hut
not until you explain In the presence
OF Agnes why you Sc, suspicious ru
mOrs ailoat about me when | went
away Tho two men eyed each other
angrily,
Really, Barton" began Acton, as.
Stunning Indifference. 1t Is demanding
"a good deal to ask another to explain
rumors which originated solely from
your own unexplained conduct, II
Miss Agnes has drawn conclusions
quite natural in the circumstances.
hardly see how | can be blamed
Here Is my explanation Henry
drew from his pocket u legallooking
paper and handed It 10 Agnes. Il
saved II because wanted to surprise
you with IL personally. went To Chi,
cago IN response 10 telegram from
the Great Western Grocers who of,
fered me job as manager OF branch
store here provided personal inter
view satisfied them That contract
tells you how well b tisiled they were.
OF course my sudden departure did