Americus times-recorder., 1919-05-12
The
Wife
NEIL'S AUNT BECOMES INQUISI-
TIVE,
By JANE PHELPS.
Copyright, George Mathew Adams)
CHAPTER LXXXIX

CHAPTER LXXXIN
could see that Neil was terribly
put out, although he made no reply
when Frederick SAID he would have
to count him out | also noticed
that Mrs. Carter had heard the re-
mark, and had glanced sharply at
Neil as if to probe the meaning of
what she did not understand
| tried to talk naturally, and Fred
erick Immediately followed my lead.
Then Neil pulled himself together,
and the remainder of the luncheon
passed off pleasantly. Aunt and
left as soon as we finished leaving
the two men smoking. l had pro-
posed going so that they might talk
business i fthey wished. | wanted
Frederick to believe in Neil l couldn't
help but wish he would go in with
Neil on some of his deals I was
sure it would be a help to my husband
in every way if only he could be as
sociated with man so bluntly honor
able in every way as was Kendall
Frederick
What did Mr. Frederick mean
when he said that he wouldn't go in
with those men Neil mentioned?
What kind of men are they?
Il don't know, aunt,''I said, Il
never have met either of them" 1
was glad to be able to say so hon
estly.
But surely Neil talks of his affairs
to you. You must know if his asso-
ciates are all right"
''No-Neil talks very little of his
business affairs at home. He says
the office is the place for business, not
the home"
In sense he is right, yet often a
woman's intuition is help to a man.
rather liked that Mr.. Frederick,
what do you know of him."
"Oh, we have known him a long
time! he is always just as you saw
him today. A plain blunt man, but
straightforward and honest. He is
very wealthy, and | can't help wish
ing he would become interested with
Neil. He is older, and would be
good influence" | added, knowing
aunt would wonder why l was so
anxious.
"But-you speak, Bah, as if Neil
needed some good influence. You
aren't worried over anything in con-
nection with him, are your"
mo, aunt-that is not particularly.
Yet he is in such big things, for a
man as young as he is. You must
know that by what he has accom-
plished since we have been married.
don't believe there's another man
his age in all New York who has
made his money, not inherited it.
that has done as we'll You see if
one inherits money they always have
capital, but Neil had nothing, just
few hundred dollars he had saved"
''Yes, he has done wonders. But
he was always very bright. His
mother was very clever woman. He
inherits many of her traits, pride
of family in her voice.
| tried to change the subject, by
talking of the different places of in
terest we passed, but something
seemed to have aroused aunt's sus-
picion that everything was not quite
all right for she returned again to
the subject of Neil's business, and
asked me many questions, some of
which l did not care to.
which | lid not care to.
Have you visited Neil's new Of
fee? He was telling me he had late
ly. taken a more commodious one?'
she questioned.
"Yes, | have been there once.
do not go often, there is no reason
why I should" 1 replied, blushing
10 IulHh VI WudC h1u OSSuiiCu w
cause of my visit.
81 should like to stop and see it,
if you have TINT"
Certainly. We can stop off then
walk up the avenue to the theatre.
We shall have plenty of time We
were going to a matinee.
When we reached the office the
blonde stenographer was so frankly
surprised to see us that she amused
me immensely. I told her she could
go right on with her work, that we
had no wish to interrupt her, and
that we would go into Neil's private
selves. She had risen as if to ac-
company us when l said to aunt
that we would go into Neils priavte
office. Fortunately he had not locked
the door when he left.
This is sumptuous!" Aunt ex-
claimed seating herself in one of the
large leather chairs, while | took the
swivel one at the desk. had caught
a glimpse of an envelope addressed
in bold but fashionable chirography.