Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-06-09
The
Promoters
Wife
By JANE PHELPS.
Copyright, George Mathew Adams)
MIR. TEARLE BUYS HOUSE AMI
CONTENTS
CHAPTER CIV
By JANE PHELPS.

"hnI udu Sdtu DIS leIL me SdSplnS
l had been represented as saying my
husband never confided in me, that
| knew nothing of him and his bust
ness, but IN such a way as carried the
impression that Neil and l were not
congenial. Then to my horror a refer
ence was made to Mrs. orion, yelled
but none the less plain 1t spoke of a
handsome widow; of Neil's acquain-
lance with her; of the fact that he had
been seen with her often. 1t was hor-
rid article, scurrilous in its insinua-
lions, yet never saying word for
which the paper might be obliged to
give satisfaction. From that time |
have had hateful admiration for re-
pOrters.
Mr.. Frederick came that afternoon
bringing Mr.. Tearle to look at the
house. l asked him if he knew that he
the Argus. He let me know that he
had and that he would remain and
talk to me after Tearle went. He saw
my distress and smiled reassuringly.
Tearle was delighted with the house
and in his rough way so expressed
himself.
MY wife couldn't begin to fix up
ranch like this" he told me. "She
aint that kind. She's a rancher's
daughter She can ride boss a mighty
sight better than she could buy GIN
cracks like these even if she had all
the money in the world. It's most too
fine, but 1 guess as long as 1 have
made up my mind to be a swell like
other folks, the best amt none too
good. I've worked like a dog all my
life and I'll be damned-beg your
pardon ma am-if l amt earned the
right to throw away my money if
want to.
IT'S a good investment, Tearle. Dirt
cheap at the price l offered you"
There wont be much investment to
these buds inside when my boys and
girls get here. They can play rough
house with anything in the world"
You have children?' l asked anus
ed.
-Four of them. The huskiest, livest
four you ever set eyes on. There amt
one Of them can't ride bronco and
do stunts that would brighten a city
youngster most to death to look at.
They're a fine bunch if | do say it,"
fatherly pride in his tones and on his
| face.
"There1l be room for them all, :"
Frederick told him.
There would have to be. They'd
bust the walls if there warn't. No
cooping them youngsters up in two
by four rooms. They are used to all
outdoors you know. They don't think
house is good for anything only to
eat and sleep in
Before he left he had given Mr..
Frederick a check for the house and
furniture. He also had said that l was
to remain rent free for the two months
which would pass before he could
bring on his family.
That is very kind of you" l STAN
mered, almost overcome. Surely there
was good in everybody. This man
whom l had refused to receive was
doing me a great kindness, helping me
more than he realized.
After he had gone Mr.. Frederick
turned to me.
Tell me-" he pointed to the paper
did you mention Mrs. Orton?'
| repeated my conversation with the
reporter word for word as nearly as
| could remember. l told him of the
expression of surprise on the man S
face at my answers, and that he had
I seemingly gone away disguised be-
cause he had been unable to get any
information from me.
Those fellows can make a story
out of nothiAg," he grumbled after
laughing at what 1 told him. THE
dea of your telling him you didn't
know anything ABOUT anytnlng. IL
lhad said that it would have been all
right He saw thru it though or he
wouldn't have called you clever. He
knew you was stalling him.
But this is awful-to have it pub
Ilished-things like this, things l never
said. Is there nothing l can do? Is one
Iobliged to submit to it?'
Under the circumstances, yes
SHOULD you make a fuss it will only
bring more notoriety. And that we
can't afford to have at the present
stage of the game" He then told me
of the progress they were making
in listing the creditors and brought me
COPY of the letter offering to set
tie which he had drafted. When he lef
l felt really encouraged to believe
that some way we were going to ge
out of the terrible tangle all right
because of his help. He was very
pleased at getting rid of the house
so easily.
"Tearle's check will go long way
toward satisfying a lot of small in