Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-04-28
The
Promoters
Wife
By JANE PHELPS.
Copyright, George Mathew Adams)
NEIL'S AUNT is TO VISIT THEM
RATHER INOPPORTUNELY.
By JANE PHELPS.
Copyright. George Mathew Adams)
CHAPTED LXNxY1I.

Was Neil's conscience troubling him
that he was so impatient nowadays?
He never used to be so. This occurred
to me when 1 left him in the library.
/ felt disappointed that he would not
talk to me- Ever since his western
trip he had refused to really talk of
anything with me. Yet in spite of the
disappointment l was happier because
Mr.. Frederick had been with him. l
wondered what he had said to Neil.
if he had told him of what was goi :
siped concerning his business; if he
had advised him-offered to help him
get Strengthened out? Someway felt
sure he could make everything come
right-if only Neil would let him.
I gave the bills / had laid upon the
desk only fleeting thought l had
spent so much money, run such big
bills without a suspicion of a doubht
that it was the right thing for me to
do, that they seemed of little conse-
quence. What mattered was Neil. If
by being associated with men of "sha-
dy character" his business was ruined
his character assailed, he must dis
associate himself with them. Of course
regardless of what Mr. Frederick had
told me, Neil had been led astray by
these men. They were all older than
he, most of them much older He was
full of enthusiasm, anxious not only
to make money, but to prove his abil-
ity in the business world. I cannot
but think he cared more for that than
for the money. He loved flattery, es-
pecially in regard to his cleverness in
outstripping others financially. l had
been SO proud of him that I had fed
his vanity laVishly ever since l mar
ried him. Others had also-until late
ly.
was rather anxious too because
his aunt, Mrs. Carter, who lived next
us at home, had written she was COM
ing to pay us visit. / knew how
strictly economical she was, how little
she thought or cared for show of any
kind. l wondered if she would be in
quisitive, and fishe would either hear
or guess at the reports concerning
Neil.
When I read her letter to Neil he
looked anything but pleased.
It's rather bore having her just
now," he said, but l suppose there is
no help for it. l never should have met
you, and she was awfully good to me
then. l wish she had selected some
other time though-there are lot of
men in town that l must spend a
good deal of time with. / am afraid
she will feel am neglecting her. You
must take her around a lot, and ask
up for my inability to do much to en-
terrain her"
/ thought of this also while I sat
in my room until dinner should be
announced, and when Neil rested in
the library. l also hated to have her
come. OF course 1 should take her out,
the theater, etc. But l would ask no
one to meet her, save Lorraine and
Mrs. Price, a plain sort of a woman
about Mrs. Carriers age. A woman
who had a good social position, but
no money to speak of and who always
accepted invitations where she
thought she would have a good meal
Mrs. Carter was coming the next
day but one. l must talk things over
with Neil before she arrived. should
go mad if | had to go on feeling, think
ing as I did for another week or two.
do you feel rested?" l asked when
dinner was announced, and he rush
ed upstairs to freshen up a little.
Don't hurry so, the dinner can wait
moment
81 feel a lot better! I must have
dropped off to sleep as soon as you
came up stairs. What have you been
doing sitting here in the darh?' I'm
til he spoke of it | had not realized
that / had not switched on the lights
Thinking aunt comes day at
ter tomorrow, you know.
Eyes, and if Frederick is still in
town we'll invite him up to dinner
while she is here. I want to talk to
him. we can be excused Immediately
dinner is over, yet aunt will feel flat
tered to meet him. He's just the sort
she likes"
81 guess he's the sort everyone
likes. You think a good deal of him
yourself don't your"
''In a way yes. He is inclined to
be an old woman about some things"
| thought | knew to what he refer
red
Tomorrow-Neill laughs. at ,Barba-
ra's fears.