Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-04-21
The
Promoters
Wife
By JANE PHELPS.
BARBARA SPENS THE EVENING
ALONE,
By JANE PHELPS.
Copyright, George Mathew Adams)
CHAPTER LXXI.


and ordered the car. At first
thought l would call for Lorraine OIL
some other friend, then l decided
did not care to talk, and would
| take my boy. He would chat.
ter right along paying no attention
if did not answer.
We had gone but a little ways
when l saw someone bowling to me
motioning at the same time. l told
Thomas to draw up to the curb and
greeted Mr.. Rayburn whom / had not
seen for long time.
Where have you kept yourself%'
he asked 81 have been to every
blessed affair in the hope of seeing
you, only to be disappointed Been
busy with that wonderful house l ex-
pect. l hear it is gorgeous.
Yes, we think it very handsome
But really it is not the house which
is to blame for my remaining at
home. Mr., Forbes has been away a
great deal lately, and I seldom if
ever go without him"
Foolish lady; Does he never go
without your" meaning in his
suave voice which / ignored, al
though l felt myself flushing, and to
cover my embarrassment l changed
the subject by saying:
Cant set you down wherever
you are going? Robert and l can
easily make room for you.'' My son
was sprawled boy-wise across the
seat
Thank you, that will be an unex-
pected pleasure. l have an appoint
ment at the club But don't let me
spoil your drive, l have half an hour
yet"
Then we will go on around the
park before we let you Off" l said
as he took his seat. l had lifted Rob-
ert up and put him between us.
rs Mr.. Forbes at home now?" he
asked.
Eyes, came back from the West
last night
His business is porspering,
hear"
"Yes-but he works terribly hard"
/ so wanted to add: and what else
have you heard?
1T doesn't pay to push ones self
too hard. To make money too fast"
What do you mean?' 1 would
draw him out
"Oh, that one misses a lot. En-
joyment, comfort, many things which
mere money do not compensate us
for.''
What difference if one gets their
enjoyment in work, Mr.. Forbes fair
ly eats work. I gazed intently at
him as l spoke, l would give him
every chance. If he had anything to
say about Neil I wanted to hear it
and deny it.
FORBES is a wonderful fellow.
Everyone says he is the cleverest
money-maker in town" / did not
stop to consider or loow for double
meaning in his words He was prais :?
ing Neil, that was enough. 1 felt
my lips curve in a smile. Even men
recognized his ability. 1 had been
silly, foolish, 10 listen to what Lor-
raine and those women in the decor
ator's shop had said. Nothing ever
could come between me and Neil,
nothing. Ever since l had first met
him he had been all the world to me.
l should be proud that man whom
other men thought SO unusual loved
me. / was proud Self condemna-
ton had me by the throat. The re-
vulsion from doubt and suspicion
left me weak, and trembling. 1t
gave me almost acute pleasure to
note signs of happiness upon the
faces of the people we passed. Here
was a man, my husband, who was
strenuously fighting his way to the
high places of finance. And because
he didn't follow the beaten path, but
hewed out a road for himself, l had
been ready to blame him.
"A penny for your thoughts" Mr.
| Rayburn's voice startled me. | had
| forgotten his very existence.
1T is time we turned, Thomas
the University Club please"
l dropped my whilom companion
then went home. l found a message
from Mr. Frederick.
IF convenient l will call upon you
about eleven tomorrow morning.
| knew he was coming to tell me
what he had done for me. l smiled
to think how needless it was. My
mood again had changed. No one
could make me distrust Neil.
Tomorrow = Whimsical Thoughts
Keep Barbara Awake.