Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1918-01-26

Barrow shrugged his shoulders IN q
way that made Hazel bring her teeth
together and want TO shake him.
Grinell by then was hurrying I'D
with long strides. Hat in hand. he
bowed TO her. Miss Hazel Weir. I
believes" he Intercepted.
"Yes," she confirmed.
'Tm on the Times, Miss Weir"
Grinell went straight to the business in
hand. you are aware, presume.
that Mr.. Andrew Bush wllled Won n
sum of money under rather peculiar
conditionS-that is, the bequest was
worded in a peculiar way. Probably
you have seen reference to 1t in the
papers. 1t has caused great deal of
interest. The Times would be pleased
TO have statement from you which
will tend to set at rest the curiosity of
the public. Some of the other papers
have INDUCED in unpleasant innuendo.
We would be pleased to publish your
side Of the matter"
II have no statement to make" Ha-
eel said coolly. Il am not In the least
concerned with what the papers print
or what the people say. l absolutely
refuse to discuss the matter"
Grincl continued to point out-with
the persistence and persuasive logic of
a good newspaper man bent on learn
ing what his paper wants 10 know
the desirability of her giving forth q
statement. And In the midst of his
argument Hazel babe him curt good
evening" and walked on. Barrow kept
step with her. Grinell gave it up for
| a bad job, evidently, for he turned
| back.
They walked five blocks without a
word. Hazel glanced at Barrow now
and then, and observed with an uncom-
Portable sinking of the heart that he
was sullen, openly resentful, susp.-
cious.
"Johnnie-boy." she said suddenly.
don't look so cross Surely you don't
blame me because Mr.. Bush Wills me
sum of money in a way that makes
people wonder?"
Il can't understand 1t ut ALL" he
said slowly. ITS very peculiar-nnd
deucedly unpleasant. Why should he
leave you money at all? And why
should he word the will as he didf
| What wrong did he ever do your"
None Hazel answered shortly. His
tone wounded her. cut her deep, so
eloquent was it of distrust. "The only
| wrong he has done me lies in willing
me that money as he did"
but there's an explanation for
that" Barrow declared moodily.
There's n key TO the mystery, and II
! anybody has 1t you have What is it?"
Jack" Hazel pleaded. don't take
that tone with me. I can't stand 1T
won't. I'm not a little child to be
scolded and browbeaten. This morn.
ing when you telephoned you were ak
| most insulting, and 1t hurt me dread.
| fully. You're angry now. and suspi-
! clous. You seem to think / must have
! done some dreadful thing. know
what you're thinking The Gazette
limited at some affair between me and
Mr.. Bush; that possibly that was O
sort of left-handed reparatlon for ru.
ming me. If that didn't make me an
/ cry, II would amuse NETS so absurd.
Haven't you any faith in me at all? ]
haven't done anything to be ashamed
of. I've got nothing to conceal"
Don't conceal It, then" Barrow
muttered sulkily. I've got right to
know whatever there is to know II
I'm going to marry you. You don't
seem TO have any idea what this sort
Of talk that's going around means to
a man"
Hazel stopped short and faced him.
lipr heart pounded slckeningly, and
hurt pride and rising anger choked her
for an instant. But she managed to
speak calmly. perhaps with added
Guinness by reason of the struggle
she was compelled to make for self.
control
IF You are going to marry me" she
repeated, 'yOu have got right to
know all there is to know. Have |
refused to explaIn2 | haven't had
much chance to explain yet. Have !
refused to tell you anything2 Would
any reasonable explanation make an
impression on you in your present
frame of mind. | don't want to marry
You If you cant trust me Why. ]
couldn't wouldn't-marry you any
time, or any place, under those con.
| ditions, no matter how much l may
| foOlshly care for YOU
There's Just one thing, Hazel" Bar,
row persisted stubbornly. There rust
have been something between you and
Bush. You're not helping yourself by
getting on your dignity and talking
about my not trusting you, instead OF
| explaining these things"
"A short time ago" Hazel told him
! quietly, "Mr Bush asked me TO marry
him. | refused Of course He"
you refused - Barrow interrupted
cynically. Most girls would have
/ jumped at the chance"
Jack" she protested.
We'll" Barrow defended. "he wal
almost q millionaire, and I've got moth
ing but my hands and my brain But