Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-07-29

( saying to Chris?" she asked. Il asked
you 10 leave IL to me, didn't I?'
Il have been morely-with the
greatest tact and diplomacy-asking
a few questions that | have perfect
right 10 ask. ! have been giving MIR.
Brent an opportunity he has not seen
fit to take, OF confiding I'm me, ana
promised him that If he chose to do
so | for one would try to help HIM.
/ Nobody can accuse me OF being n mar
row minded man. and | hope | have
been able TO make allowances and see
the thing fairly"
Brent turned and looked in pathetic
helplessness at Molly,
"Can you tell me what your father
is talking about" he asked "Of
/ course. thought he was going to
talk about you and | started in To
| confide right away, but he said | was
| impertinent."
Father, dear, do go away and leave
1t to me-" said Molly. going up TO MIN
her two hands. II am sure | can
manage Chris great deal better
alone" Molly had not yet learned
not to use the word manage" out
( loud.
ooh, very well, very we'll I'll go.
Thought you might like my support
and protection. OF course, girls think
I they know best nowadays" And Mr..
I Pollock moved heavily toward the
door.
81 say" said Chris cheerfully TO his
retreating form. you might take over
/ my cue AT smoker with Mrs Lee Will
you? She must think it's jolly rude
my leaving her like this" Mr. Pol
/ locks only answer was snort as he
/ banged the door behind him.
Molly and Chris were left standing
/ looking at each other. with n new
/ shyness and constraint between them.
Then Brent strolled over to the man
! telpiece and leaned his elbow on IL,
| speaking to her over his shoulder.
II suppose you want me to explain
about this afternoon" he asked.
mo; at least, that will come into
/ the general explanation, that's all.
Chris, what's the matter?"
well. If it comes to that. what's
the matter with your father? | say
do you mind n pipe?"
mo" answered Molly little
drearily. He could think about pipes
when she was so obviously unhappy!
MY nerves want soothing" ex-
planned Brent as he lit up. II say,
what has your father got into his head
now"
"Oh. he's worried"
well, he's worried me, tell you.
"You know how funny father Is
sometimes" said Molly lamely
"Yes, its a humor all his own.
What's his latest ?"
"Well, it's to absurd for words
really" began Molly, forcing herself
to speak naturally, laughing a little.
She curled herself up in the big chair
angain and looked up at Brent under
her lashes as she half lay there. In
the glow OF the shaded lights she
| looked very childish and pathetically
small, n little air of worldly wisdom
that she had adopted sitting quantity
on her.
| Brent felt all the, best in his love
| for her well up as he looked. The
| temptation came over him to throw
everything aside. to tell her the truth
/ so that she would trust him again.
/ That is to say, the wish that II were
possible to do so came over him with
almost unbearable polgnancy, but the
| idea was almost too remote to be n
| temptation. II merely presented it
self as thing that would have been
| so restful and comforting could he
only have done II.
He did not 20 near her and sit on
| the arm of the chair as she he'd been
confident he must, but still stood in
front of the fireplace, as man always
does when on the defensive.
Whats 1t all about?" he asked.
"well, it's about spies. He's got
them on the brain, poor dear"
"Spies? Poor chap" commented
Brent. drawing at his pipe.
"He even suspects" continued Molly
"that there's one in the house. Just
imagine,"
"By Jove, you don't say so? I say
Molly, that's really funny. When did
the old dear think of that?'
"Of course you--you don't think it's
possible, do you, Chris"
81 don't know. Everything's pos
sible, suppose, but l should say 1t was