Omaha daily bee., 1918-09-15
9 81 EE;2s55; 11>1EQ5 :!
- &SOkRXe

You mean-Has her mother given
in?'
yes. You see, Jane was at the
dance, too, and she saw Carl, and she
saw Hibbard Gaylord. And she was
furious. She told Mellicent this morn
ing that she had her opinion of fell
| lows who would show so plainly as
Carl Pennock and Hubbard Gaylord
did that it~was the money they were
after"
"I'm afraid-Mrs. Jane has changed
her shoes again." murmured Mr..
Smith, his eyes merry!
Has changed-oh!" Miss Maggie
puzzled frown, gave way to laugh.
well, yes, perhaps the shoe is on the
other foot again. But, anyway, she
doesn't love Carl or Hibbard any
more, and she does love Donald Gray.
He hasn't let the loss of the money
make any difference to him, you see.
He's been even more devoted, if any
thing. She told Mellicent this morn
ing that he was very estimable
young man, and she liked him very
much. Perhaps you see now why
Melicent is-happy."
"Goodl I'm glad to know it," cried
Mr.. Smith heartily. Pm glad
His face changed suddenly. His eyes
grew somber. I'm glad the loss Of
the money brought them some happi,
ness-if the possession of it didn't"
he finished moodily, turning to go to
his own room. At the hall door he
/ paused and looked back at Miss Mag
gle, standing by the table, gazing at.
ter him with troubled eyes. Did
Mellicent say-whether Fred was
there?" he asked.
yes. She said he wasn't there He
| didn't come home for this vacation at
all. She said she didn't know why
! l suspect Mellicent doesn't know
anything about that wretched affair
of his"
well hope not. So the young
gentleman didn't show up at all?"
mo, nor Bessie. She went home
with Long Island girl. Hattie
didn't go to the Pennocks either
Hattie has-has been very different
since this affair at Fred's. l think il
frightened her terribly-it was so near
a tragedy; the boy threatened to kill
himself, you know. If his father didn';
help him out"
"But his father did help him out!
fared the man irritably.
Eyes, | know he did; and I'm afraid
he found things in pretty bad mess
when he got there" sighed Miss
Maggie. ut was a bad mess all
around"
"You are exactly rightp calculated
Mr.. Smith with sudden and peculiar
emphasis. at is, indeed, bad mes.
all around" he growled as he disap.
peared through the door.
Behind him, Miss Maggie still
stood motionless, looking after him
with troubled eyes.
As the spring days grew warmer
Miss Maggie had occasion many
times to look after Mr.. Smith with
troubled eyes. She could not under
stand him at all. One day he would
be the old delightful companion, gen.
ial, CHEEKY, generously donating q
box OF chocolates TO the comfortable
bonbon dish or a dozen dollhouse
roses to the mantei vase. The next,
he would be. nervous. distracted. al
most irritable. Yet she could see no
possible reason for the change.
Sometimes she wondered fearfuily
IL Inefficient could have anything TO
do with il. Was ii possible that he
had cared for MelIicent, and to see
her now so happy with Donald Gray
was more than he could bearl II did
not seem credible. There was his own
statement that he had devoted him
self 10 her solely and only 10 help
keep the undesirable lovers away and
give Donald Gray a chance.
Besides had he not said that he was
not a marrying man, anyway, To be
sure, that seemed q pity--a man so
kind and thoughtful and so delight
fully Companiouabiet But then, ID
was uothius to her. Of eourse-orly
she did hope he vas not feeling un-
happy over Ns.hesntl
Mss Maggie wished zoo. tina, Mr..
Smith wouli rot bring howets and
candy 80 often. II worried her. She
te'l As IL he were spending too mach
moHey-snd sae got the impression
20 sums Nay that he dist rot have any
too much mouey o. spend. And there
we're the expensive motor trips. too
tAc ,eaTed Mr. smith Vas eNtFaga-
assseaHs