Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-01-18


as YOU do, you are naturally curious.
A man should hardly be that
Il plead guilty. nodded Tom, "and
you needn't answer my question"
In other words, YOU think | have,
All I've GOT to say, Mr.. Kingsbury, is
that if Mr. MacIean hasn't said any
thing to you. he must be unlike most
men"
DO you speak from broad ex-
perence?"
Marjory's eyes wandered to the
window. but there was mirth in her
voice as she made answer
Il think now that the question you
put to ME
is impairment" nodded Tom.
'I'm guilty, | shall say no more.
Man is forever putting his foot in it,
and woman walks over him. It's not
unpleasant, though, having it done
you speak from experience, | pre-
sumo laughed the girl, and she was
gone" with nod OF her dark head.
Kinssbury stood perfectly still
watching the swaying portieres.
Finally he turned and went over to
the window As he moved his glance
took in the room, and 10 his surprise
he found the furnishings rich, but OF
excellent taste.
Some way, he hadn't expected II,
although the thought that his ideas
We're going 10 receive IA shock had
from Boston.
OF Trench he knew nothing save
as he recalled hearing the mans
name in connection with New Hamp-
shire politics He had expected 10 find
an. overostentatious house which in
everything would bespeak the man
who had made his money through
graft.
Half an hour on the train had been
enough to make him ask himself if he
were not wrong; glimpse of Trench's
home made doubt certainty. If the
man himself came up to the mark of
his surroundings, Kinesbury would be
ready to admit he had made a wrong
guess.
Such thought occupied his mind
above the contents Of Trench's letter
for the very simple reason that Tom
was sure there was some big mistake,
so certain was he that Dick MacLean
had not s,olen fifty thousand dollars
and deCamped.
Once ae; in his impressions (convic-
lions might be better in this case), re
ceised q rude shock Edith came back,
beckoncd him into the hall and in a
moment he faced Trench and had
shaken hands - awkwardly, Trench
perforce using his left-with the man
who had made such serious sccuSa-
ton against his best friend
"Well?" questioned the politician
and motioned toward a chair as h"
sat down himself The unlightej cigar
returned TO his mouth. his hand went
deep into his pocket, and his little
round eyes rested inquiringly upon his
caller.
tive come in answer to your letter
to Mr.. Franklin" explained the
lawyer AS your niece has doubtless
explained, Franklin couldn't come
himself He asked me to look into the
matter"
on" nodded Trench, and again
"Well?'
The mans limited vocabulary net,
tied Kingsbury
Well" he relorted, Il fancy it is
up to you to say more than that, Mr..
Trench. You have made rather
serious change against Mr.. MacLean.
I've come to find out what it means"
Wasn't my letter to Franklin
clear"
AS far as it went. You simply
stated that you wanted MI MacLean
to come 10 Concord at once, that he
had lifted fifty thousand dollars Of
your money and decamped. It's pre-.
posterous. I've known Dick MacLean
for years. He wouldn't touch cent
Of your money, or anybody eise's'
There was considerable heat in
kinesbury's tone, which was not lost
upon the silent man sitting deep in his
chair.
known MacLean for years"
nodded the politician, 1--WE known
him less time than that, and I'm as
thunderstruck as YOU seem to be
Facts are facts, however"
Give me the facts"
why"
"Why?" exploded Tom Good
Heavens, man. what did you write
that letter for? I'm here to straighten
this matter out
.,t d tstNg'I &IFI'H,