The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1917-01-25
CHAPTER XIX.
Setting the Stage.


than merely because they
we're both so entirely the outcome OF
Hiss Sarah's Christmas party. Neither
f them was long. The last one which
ook place between Wickersham and
he girl he was to marry was the brief
er of the two. But her prettily seri
Jus argument that the LIST of May was
100 early date for their wedding In
rev Of the work which he had to do
nd her own state of unpreparedness
eft him so white of face that she felt
-uiltily sorry for him for many days
70 f.,llow-felt guiltier still at the relief
sba experienced when she had estab,
ished that reprieve. The other inter
view was longer and took place days
earlier. but 1t was no more of delight
TO Archibald Wickersham.
Dexter Allison had returned home al
lost a week In advance of his daugh
n. pleading stress of business. but in
pite of the demands upon his time and
attention he had found it impossible to
forget the night of the dinner. when he
lad watched his daughters eyes upon
stephen O'Mara's face.
He had been troubled more than a
little since his Christmas trip to Nor
rison. The night before New Years
Wickersham was announced at 8. He
was thinking of Barbara's mother
when he beckoned his guest to chair.
shook his head over his red cheeks and
offered cigar.
"Devilish cold weather" he gruntea
none too graciously, for he had not
wanted to be disturbed just then.
The younger man admitted that 1t
was. His mind plainly was not upon
the weather. but lie found difficulty
N introducing Topic of his own choos
ing Outspokenness had never been
lne of Ar, HE Wickersham's boldest
hara eteristics, so Allison assisted him
now. Allison liked a man to be out
spoken.
We'll" he demanded, lets hear IL
What's on your mind!"
There are times when hatred will be
tray almost any man. Hatred now led
Wick ersham to speak not wisely, but
with venom.
Il want you to refuse 70 renew your
ldEle vi lllt I-uNt Quasi ilptro ut Fdia
They are due on the second"
Few Een had ever said Il want you
TO" TO Dexter Allison and. as be put 1t.
got away with ii to any great ex-
emit" And OF ali nights this one In
PARTICULAR was the least likely to prove
propitious for such an attempt. That
was Understands oversight
&c. y. 4 To ssSnf Wall
for your reason.
Wickersham had not learned until
after Barbara's departure that she was
spending the holidays In Morrison, for
he had himself expected TO be away.
And IL Is only fair to the girl 10 say
that she had honestly forgotten TO ap-
prise him of her plan. in her real ex-
element at going. but finding 1t out
for himself had not made the fact any
pleasanter 10 Wickersham.
at should he clear enough without
explanation"-he enunciated each word
nicely-'if you want that road they
are building"
Allison glanced up. surprised at the
tone employed.
Meaning of course / do" he unused
And yet-and yet don't known
Fear burned In the tall, thin mans
eyes that night-fear that made his
hatred for the absent man who was
teaching him fear anything but pref
ty thing to watch.
I've tried to buy of their men" HI
was holding himself with an effort thai
made him tremble. I've held up theil
supplies on every track that we con
troll, hut they've had the luck witt
them. They've made I'd lost time b,