Americus times-recorder., 1919-06-06
BARBARA is RECONCILED TO THE
PUBLIC SCHOOL FOR ROBERT.
CHAPTF2. CXIl

The teacher was very kind, and
when l told her he had always been
a private school pupil she congratu-
lated me because of my making the
change.
"Not that 1 would say anything
against private schools" she said.
"But l think boys work harder, grow
more manly when they mix with all
sorts of boys, instead of just with
those of their own class But l am
a public school teacher, and one who
taught in private schools might not
have my views"
| felt suite happy about him when
l left my boy in her charge Perhaps
it would be the best thing for him
after all, this mixing with boys of
middle class and poor parents, in
stead of the sons of wealthy fathers
who INDUCED and often spoiled some
of them.
talked with Neil over the tele-
phone. telling him what 1 had done,
and how happy both Robert and |
were about it. He appeared depress-
ed, and did not respond with an en-
thusiasm. l wondered how affairs
were going. then recalled Mr.. Freder-
ick's promise to keep me informed,
so tried not to worry.
AS l look back at this time in my
life can see how Mr.. Frederick's eff
forts smoothed away many difficult
ties which but for him would have
been almost insurmountable. But
then my mind was too confused, I
was too anxious about Neil to apre-
ciateall or even small part of what
this dear friend was doing to help
us-me That was what it was. help
ing me. Yet even so l could not. l
would not refuse that help because
l knew it was Neil's salvation. And
l loved Neil.
We women are often like that. |
was no exception. We will take Of
ferings from those who care for US
simply to further the interests of
those we love.
Mr.. Freedrick called me up and
told me everything was going as well
as could be expected, and that was
not to worry. l tod him how Neil's
indifference to E6beftis school
change had made me anxious; and
he reassured me.
Don't expect him to think much
of anything until we get him out OF
the woods / have taken all the nee
essary papers and books from the Of
flee and put man in there to attend
to the mail.
what of his stenographer and
bookkeeper?" l asked.
discharged them both" laconical-
ly.
| couldn't help a little rush of glad
ness unworthy as it was 1t Is true
I believe that when we do wrong, or
something in which any way bellttles
us, that we are anxious to avoid those
who know of it. l never had felt COM
Portable about those two since my trip
to Neirs office during his absence
when | intended to surreptltlously
look over his mail, although | never
had seen either of them since.
you will keep the office going?"
For the present. yes. Mail may
come for some time. Those circulars
have had a wide distribution.
How | hated the mention of those
glowing circulars. The extravagant
language, the promises they contain
ed Promises they believed would be
fulfilled, but which the men Nell
among them, knew never could be l
pictured men and women porlng over
them figuring how much they would
make if they sent certain amounts
TO he invested, the interest they
would receive, fancied many
scrimping their living in many ways
to buy the worthless stock. then look
ed around at my luxurious home. ex-
nensive beautiful and all bought
with their money, and for the hrst
time 7 hated it. Hated all this lux
urv I had so loved, hated the thougnC
that l had selected each piece OF iur-
niture. each hanging, each bit Oh
bric-a-brac. 1 longed to be rid OF 1t
all, to leave.
"Haye you put the advertisement
in the paper?" was my next question
"The house can be seen at any
time" :.
"No-I talked with Tearle HG Is
coming to look az it tomorrow l
shall try to come with him
Vaguely I knew, as I thanked MN
and hung up the receiver, that he was
coming so that he might help me, 50
that I might not be embarrassed sure
lv no one ever had so conslderate "
friend. AS I walked slowly UPSTAIRS
I said to myself: Were it not tnat l
loved Neill so dearly 1 might nave