The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1919-03-19
CHAPTER vIi-contInued.

CHAPTER vll-contlnued
-6-
Leila said nothing, but thought hard.
Bayard was silent. Later the door-bell
rang and young sewing girl brought
two big boxes from Dutilh's. They
were so big that there was no conceal
Ing them. Leila made timid effort to
escape with hers, but Bayard was full
Of cheerful curiosity:
''What's all that, honey7"
"Oh, it's just IA little thing I
picked up today at Dutilh's."
"What Is 1t, scarf or something?
Give fellow look at it."
He began to unite the knot. Sealed
across the cord was an envelope, with
q statement. Bayard tore it free.
Leila snatched at 1t. Bayard laughed
and lodged her. Leila pursued. It
was CHASTITY game Of tag for her, and
Daphne and her mother looked on in
guilty dread. Bayard, whooping with
laughter, dashed into his room and
closed the door. held it fast while Leila
pounded and pleaded with him.
HIS laughter was quenched sharply.
There was a silence. He opened the
door and walked out. sickly pallor at
his lips, the statement in his hand:
"This can't be right, honey: 'Bayard
Kip to Dutilh. debtor. Peach-blow
satin gown-two hundred and seventy
ave deilars.' The price is ridiculous,
and have no account there"
"He-he insisted on my opening
one"
but I don't want to open any ac-
counts. I pay my bills in thirty days
or discount them for cash. can't pay
this in thirty days. Every penny l
can see ahead Of me Is laid out"
T-Hm sorry" Leila faltered. "You
said the times were getting better"
II thought they were. hoped they
were. But they've gone bad again. Be-
sides. was trying to cheer you up,
te give you happy honeymoon. And
bought you everything You saw
abroad. And 1t wasn't enough! When
will you get enough clothes |"
Leila had stared incredulous Mt the
ealamitous result of her tender Inn
pulse to beautify herself in his eyes.
Then tears came gushing and she ran
to her room and locked the door.
Bnyard did not follow her. He
turned for comfort to his mother and
Daphne. He noted the other box.
Daphne had not dared to open 1t.
Buyard ripped the envelope from its
cord and read:
"Bayard Kip to Dutilh, DIR. Parch-
mentioned gown, for Miss Daphne
Kip. two hundred and seventy-f1ve dol
larss'
He was parchment-toned himself as
he shook the statement at Daphne,
and whispered. huskily. whats this2"
Daphne could not muster any cour-
age. she explained with craven re-
mors.. II saw gown that IL needed
there. and I--I- He offered to let it
ON your account till I could get the
money"
Bayard was choked with wrath and
. terror greater than hers.
" 60 to my ONCE and work like a
hend all day, and come home to find
that my wife and my sister have run
me into debt for-dve hundred and
fifty dollars. And the firm, the big
Arm work for. had to extend a note
for seven hundred and fifty because
we couldn't meet It'll"
His mother tried to stem the tide of
Bayard's rage, to turn his wrath with
. soft answer:
II guess It's all my fault. honey. The
dresses looked SO pretty on the girls
urged them to take them. You ought
to see how beautiful they are. Go put
the dcess on, Daphne, and let your
brother see how sweet you look in It,
"Sweet! She looks sweet In 1t !! It's
beautiful And that justifies anything
Lord, what did you make 'em out Of
these women!"
Mrs. Kip nudged Daphne and whis.
pered, 'G0 on, put the dress on; let
him see you In It,"
she spoke with great canniness. but
Daphne stared at her with derision
and edged away and spoke in tone
Az biting as cold blue vitrici.
''Put 1t on, mother! Do you think
I'd ever wear the thinei m send 1t
nact tomorrow morning at daybreak.
And IN never take thing that any
man pays for as long as I live."
BayArd roared at her over his shoul-
Der 'v"" ''nu't take lnJthins that