The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1920-05-17
Mr.. FORBES
BY JACK AAYToN.
opsrlEht. 1920. Western Newspaper unioni

~ANpt ARhNt W. uiiuOSl CODNiHttu vi
It's truth. Her own patient Hips
trembled in an effort to keep back
protesting words of denial--of what
use TO deny that of which she knew
nothing? Bob had been strangely ret
icent concerning this well published
love affair OF his Every one seemed
10 have known OF Bobs marked at
tention to the pretty stranger, before
his mother had taken note Of his alb
sent evenings.
Guess I'll run out for awhile" Bob
would say; while she would nod smIl-
ingly, and get out the silk mufiler she
was knitting for him. Mary Todd
was very proud of her sons position
in Millyille's only bank. All the men
OF Bob's family had been clerical men
Mary was proud that her son added
honorably 70 the line. The Todds had
always been "looked up to"--as Abble
Mead had just repeated at was
really too bad" she continued "that
Bob should go and take up with n
queer actin stranger instead of nice
girls he'd been brought up with. Alb
bie's own niece had seen Bob night /
after night, sittin' right out with the
girl from the city on the porch of the
Hall house, which she, herself, had |
rented and furnished, when the Halls |
went off to stay with their sons folks |
for The summer.
MY father and I will move in Mt |
once" the girl said, and the very next
day she drove up in car with a big |
man, who hurried into the house be-
fore those watching could catch
glimpse of his face and nobody"--Ab-
bie's voice dropped impresslvely-
nobody had seen the man since. Not
even Jim Burley, when he left the
groceries. or Ann Cloud, when she
went there to work.
"NTy father, Mr.. Forbes, doesn't
wish to be disturbed the girl says
calm as you please, am Ann says that
the girl even carries his meals up to
the door all one can hear is Il rattle
of papers, or smell cigar smoke be-
meath the door. Jim was telling Ann
yesterday that this mysterious Mr.
Forbes might be bank robber from
the way he hides his face. No one
here pays any attention to the girl
Bob. A quick choice she
made too. No one else was worth
smilin' up to, l reckon, in her opinion
cause Bobs a good salaried man. Up
an down the street she goes in dresses
like those on fashion cover, her com
plexion too good, l says, to be true, an
her hair done up like a dancers" Alb
bic Mead coughed. II always like to
know what there is to know before !
folk" she went on, $50 /
stopped in myself to call on Mis-
Forbes, an | asked straight out for
her Pa.
''Ile is not seeing anyone while we
lre here" Miss Forbes says real
you must try to let me en-
Iertain You"
"Well | didn't let her entertain me
ong; but if | was you, Mary, I'd ask
Bob, seeing how things is going, if he
las seen the father Of this new girl
res so crazy about, an if not, what's
he man hiding for? Ann says the
loor of his room was open one day
When she went up the stairs, an the
,irl Fran--outlandish name-just
lew ahead to close 1t before she got
here. Well, good by Mary, hope you
'ealze this is told in friendly spirit"
Mary Todd arose as her neighbor
eft, and wiped the tears from her
,lasses. 1t was all nonsense of course,
o he SO disturbed over Millville Cos
lip; vet Mary was disturbed. Bob's /
unusual reticencc in this affair grieved
icr. When he came in she met him |
.ravely. Bob dear" she said, "Ab-
lie Mead has been telling me of your |
for-the young stranger
n our town. Your mother would be
lie first TO rejoice with you if 1t is a
Apply attachment, Bob. Or is there
70 truth in their suppositlons7
tant very much to know" Robert
odd drew his mother back to her
hair, then locking down upon her
lowly replied.
20 IlUCll lTutH, IuOlnef, lildL nave |
lst come from asking Frances Ken
edy to marry me-"
A light came to Bob's dark eyes,
is voice rang triumphant
"Fran has accepted melt is incon-
eiyable with her beauty, her knowl-
dge of bigger, better men in a world
utSide our little one. But my girl
ives me mother, she really does
omen are strange. And I'm bringing
err to meet you tonight. She is SC
nxious TO know you, mother-can you
aieve it?-to make her home humbly
ith us if you are willing. My gold
4 girl with heart as sweet and
ire as a child"
300" Mary Todd spoke quietly,
fou referred to this little girl as
RANGES Kennedy; here she has given
e name of Miss Forbes"
"Oh, that!" her son interrupted,
vas to &'otect her father.
"Fran's father IS in strict seelusion.
octors have ordered absolute rest
r n neriod of months Hiding him. |