Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1919-06-03
ONCE MORE BARBARA CoNFIDEs
IN Mr.. FREDERICK.

While l was glad of Blanche Orton },
visit, it in a way made me very un
comfortable. More so perhaps than
had been since the day had been 81
snubbed by Scott. / tried to put my
self in business man 5 place, but try
as would / could see no reason why 9
legitimate business should be carried on
in such way; why it should be neees.
sary to use the means Neil was using to
Interest them in his projcets-if those
projects were perfectly legitimate ones.
But | said nothing to Neil, although /
told him of Mrs. 0rton S visit. He seem
ed rather surprised l thought at firss,
but afterward l concluded had bee
mistaken. He asked me no questions,
and seemed to take it for granted that
1t was simply social call without any
ulterior object
Yet while | said nothing to Neil, l did
not keep her visit--the cause of il rath-
er, secret. Mr.. Frederick called in s.e
afternoon of the following day and
found me alone, although it was my
afternoon at home. My afternoons were
not as well attended as formerly. a
cause of ehagrin to me.
poured him tea, then said:
. l had a caller yesterday; Mrs. Or
ton. You know she was so nice 10 me
the other night that l began to like her
again--I used to think she was really
charming when her husband was alive
she came to tell me why she received
those women" would not betray her
In any way, but | felt l must put the
questions which were so bothering me to
someone. "She said that men like
Tearle and Connor weren't happy unless
they were entertained by handsome wo-
men who could play cards | realized
as finished that | had not said what
! intended, and that it sounded rather
peurile.
Yes, they are rather fond Of the la.
dies. /"
"Tell me pelase, Mr.. Frederick, is il
necessary to do business in that way
legitimate business / meant II seems
SO strange to me. Father always sttend.
ed to business at his office. | thought
that was what offices were for. ;, tried
to speak lightly. 1 did not want him to
think | was toe much worried.
. scarcely know how to answer-you.
Barbara, " he had hesitated over nv
name. He seldom addressed me so. ''But
It is done sometimes. Men like Tearle
and Connor are hard to handle some.
times. They are hard drinkers. and
want their own way, especially when in
New York. They have tho arrogance
Of men who have made great fortunes
quiekly.n
But why mix business with cards
| asked, "Why not keen
them separate. Can It not be done?',
"l--perhaps-" he slowly sipped his
tea, and | knew he was trying to think
how to satisfy me without blaming Neil
Please Mr.. Frederick don I treat
me as child. Neil won't tell me anv.
thing about his affairs. hear things
and | can't stand being kept in the
dark any longer. You arc my rood
friend, aren't youl If you are, please
tell me what to do to get Neil away
From those people and from-thst bust.
ness.
J was 50 ignorant, so absolutely IN.
sersed IN Neil's affairs that he, anv one
could see at once how little / knew Of
business. think that was why he was
'orry for me and tried to help me. II
had shown him l wanted to help Neil.
L made no difference that he cared for
ne, really | think it made him more
'hNious to help Neil He knew that I
owed my husband passionately, and
nat | would be true to him always
10 matter what happened.
wish ! could. l honestly do. - he