The Tomahawk., 1919-08-21

ting room to tell his mother where he
was bound and to say goodnight. Mrs.
Kent did not demonstrate with Tom
again for neglecting Mary.
She knew that her son could not bo
managed that way. Aunt Annie's lips
were compressed in a straight line most
of the time now. and she spoke seldom
to Tom. The atmosphere of the Kent
home had changed In some subtle mans
ner. Subconsciously Tom felt 1t, but
his infatuation for Deyette filled his
mind those days to the exclusion OF
everything else except business. He
knew he must succeed In that II he
were to. stand any chance with Deyette.
So affairs stood when Tom stopped
in the grocery store on his way home
from business one night to do an errand
for his mother. Mr.. Bates, the pro-
prietor. waited on him.
As he tied up the package he leaned
across the counter and spoke in tone
too low to be heard by any one else in
the store. "Kent. you seem to be on
pretty good terms with the Sinclairs.
Do you think they are all right-f1nan-
cially, mean? They owe me q pretty
big bill now. and can't afford to trust
them for much more"
"Why, sure," replied Tom. 'They
just happen to be short Of ready cash
Just now. Mrs. Sinclair was telling
me about 1t the other evening. She
said the man who managed their estate
was seriously i'll and If he didn't i'm"
prove soon she would have to 60 to
New York herself and look after
things"
Mr.. Bates seemed reassured and
Tom thought no more about the incl
dent until two nights later. Then Mrs.
Sinclair brought up the matter Of their
circumstances again, concluding, "But
I don't see how I can 60. Really. I
haven't even money enough in hand to
pay my fare"
"Why, Mrs. Sinclair" exclaimed Tom
in an injured tone, 'why didn't you
ask me to help you out? have only
about hundred dollars with me-but
would that do you any good?" 1T
surely would" answered Mrs. Sinclair,
in a voice which she strove not to
make too eager. She thanked him pro-
fusely, saying that now she would be
able to take the first morning train.
Soon after Deyette pleaded a head
ache. so Tom left, with the remark
that he would see her the next eve
ming. As a matter of fact he never
saw either of them again.
Returning home the next evening
Tom found his supper on the table as
usual. When he had nearly finished
his mother asked him If he would
mind raking up the lawn. Tom an
swered that he would do it in the
morning If she didn't mind. II thought
perhaps, as you are not going to tho
Sinclairs' you would do It this eve
ning," Mrs. Kent persisted.
"Where did you get the idea that
I'm not going there, mother? Tom
asked.
"Why, it can't be possible, Tom"
answered his mother, in her usual mild
voice. "that you, their best friend,
don't know what is common knowledge
in the village today!"
~ don't know what you mean.
mother"
"Your friends, the Sinclairs, left
town this morning. bag and baggage
and Just in time. They owe everybody
here, and this afternoon an officer ap-
peared to take them back to New York.
with a charge against them for some
crooked dealings there"
Mrs. Kent delivered this startling
information. then disappeared into the
kitchen. Tom went straight to his
room and was not seen again that
night.
Because the atmosphere of the Kent
home was pervaded by unselfish love
the Sinclairs' name was never men
toned there again in Toms presence;
unless you except Aunt AnnieS re-
mark a year later, when Tom told
them that Mary Freeman had con-
sented to marry him at last:
'Mary doesn't need shaded lights.
Her character will bear the light OF
day."