Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-11-30
Margaret CARROTS
Husbana
NEW NEIGHBoRs.
< By JANE PHELPS
X \ \ + X x X X X X x x
CHAPTER Xxi.


called. l liked him even better than
did the day l met him ON the train.
thought Mrs. Baldwin rather frivolous
however. She was pretty in baby dol
sort Of way, and was dressed exquisite
ly. Bob and John Kendall both seemed
attracted and were loud in her praises
after she left.
John had come down Friday night
and he and Bob had played golf all
day Saturday, and also Sunday after
noon. Really | had scarcely spoken to
Bob the entire time; he and John had
been so absorbed in discussing their
western business affairs that | scarcely
could get his attention for moment.
After the Baldwin s left Sunday
levening, John Kendall and Bob went
into the library to smoke and talk be-
fore retiring. 1 bade them good night
fully intending to go directly up STAIRS.
but L was not at all sleepy, anu 50 sat
down in the living room TO read while.
! The door into the library was slightly
| open, and L could distinctly hear all
tnat was said. But until sentence OF
Bob's attracted my notice, L paid no
particular attention 10 NnaJ they were
saying.
"a man could be wholly man un.
der such conditions, = he said.
''She is a wonderfully sympathetic
character John Kendall returned,
and charming woman. -
"She is sympathetic found her
very companionaDle, Bob replied.
Then, "Gad, Kendall, what couldn It
a man do if he had such a woman be-
side him7"
"She is certainly clever,' John said
after long pause. ~ look for won
derful things from her. She is amateur
ish, at time very much so, but she IL
overcome that, and if l am not mistak-
en- will win both fame and money for
herself, and incidentally for us-altho
that doesn t count so much.'
"Her story, the latest one, shows
much improvement. l wonder if it is the
story Of her own life," Bob said mus
ingly. John answered, but in so low
voice | did not catch his meaning.
"The sweetest, the dearest woman
that ever lived. She had thoro under
standing Of life, of human nature. 1
do not wonder her story is filled with
flashes Of genius, for she herself is |
full Of genius. In embryo perhaps, but
still-genius.
''Oh, they We're talking of some char
acter in a story l thought, and
breathed sigh of relief, For just one
horrible moment l thought they were
praising the writer and was tempted to |
make my presence known. But they
were raving as usual over some story, |
so / turned my attention to my book
and heard no more save an occasional
e ejaculation, or murmur of voices un-
til laugh and then an exclamation of
John 5, attracted my attention again.
81 wonder if it is safe for you to go
there so often, Bob -
l listened for Bob S reply What could
J ohm meang Where did Bob go that he
was in danger?
There was an unbroken silence for a
time, then Bob said slowly:
~ gave Margaret the deed to the
house. You know I sold the Hampton
Block to Lawrence a while back"
"You must have cleaned up nice
little pile on that deal.''
N'I did,
"'You were very wise to fix things up
for Margaret and the kids. They are
dandy boys, both of them. 1t almost
makes me want to get married myself
when 1 see you in this home with those
two sturdy boys l shall have to play
godfather to them, if you win let me. y
81 shan It object, you may be sure!
''Consider it settled then.
l had heard all they said without pay
ing much attention. Bob was in some
sort Of danger. John had said it was
E, s., p, nxsrhp n
least he had asked him if he thought
it safe, which amounted to the same
thing. laid down my book and erept |
quietly upstairs. | would go to bed, but
would not try to sleep until Bob came
up. Then l would ask him what John
meant, and where he went? l could i'm
agine nothing connected either with his
real estate business or the publishing of
books which would put him in danger.
But know that John Kendall was not
an alarmist, so there must be some
thing in it.
In spite of my anxiety finally fell
asleep, and did not waken when they
came up. When we occupied the same
room Bob always wakened me no mat
ter how carefully he tried to avoid it.
The next morning queried:
''What did John Kendall mean last
night by saying or wondering if it
we're safe for you to go somewherea ]
lid not hear where.
l was locking directly at Bob as
lsked the question, aud was surprised to
Zee him flush, and look at me in an anx-
GUS way, as he asked:
'fYou heard thati-where were you2'
90 In the living room.
81 thought you went to bed, now
e had grown white.
'fIn intended to, but as l was not at
Il sleepy 1 stopped to read and heard
GU talking of some story, then be
anne interested in my book, and paid :
0 attention until heard John wonder
it were safe for you to go some {
here. Do tell me what he meant.
romorrow-Bob Evades the Question: