The Oklahoma miner. [volume] (Krebs, Okla.) 1912-192?, 1920-11-11

"I have noted all these details, An.
tolne," | replied; and again | thought
there was a telegraphc exchange be
tween the ladies though this time a
black slipper was the means of com
municatlon
Terrence arrived I'm a moment, and
nothing has ever given me keener Joy
than his shock of surprise at beholdlng
Mrs. Bashford. ! was devoutly CRATE.
ful that he had not been present at
the dlnner-tnble for my own efforts to
interest Terrence in anything but the
most practical matters had always
been highly unsuccessful, and the dis
cussiOn Of ghosts and witches would
hardly have amused him. AS Mrs.
Farnsworth and | took up the recent
movements on the western front
overheard Terrence putting all the
machinery of the trust company at
Mrs. BashfOrds disposal. 1t seemed
almost a blasphemy to be talking of
income and like matters to a woman
like Alice Bashfordl
They continued their conference for
some time, but | got nothing out Of
Mrs. Farnsworth that shed any light
on my aunt's history beyond what she
had told me herself, which was pre-
CiOus little. Mrs Furnsworth's talk
was that of cultivated woman. Her
voice interested me unacCountabiy;
the tones had all manner Of shadlngs
and infections; 1t was CuriOusly mu-
sical, but in speaking Of the great war
passionate note crept into 1t that
stirred me deeply.
"Thls has been q dark year for
Alice" she remarked. "Mr. BashfOrd's
death, followed quickly by that Of her
brOther-an only son-piIed a cruel
burden of grief upon the dear child.
She wants to go back to England to
nurse the wounded, TO do anything for
our dear country, but ] want to keep
her here little while until she can
reCdjust herself 1t Is my task to en-
courage her In frivollty and the make
believe she loves-henCe our absurd
tiles at the table. She's the drOllest
child, but with wonderful understand
ing And at times It's not easy TO
keep the divine spark Of play alive ln
her heart"
The light Of one of the porch lamps
fell upon AliCe's face as she patiently
gave heed to Torrence's account Of his
stewardship. One of her hands gently
strOked the terrier that lay quietly in
a chair beside her. | was sure that
his palnstaking description of assets
and market values was boring her.
Once her voice rose in eXpOstulGtiOn.
Terrence, | judged, was suggesting
that legal means could be found to ex-
pei the old Tyrlngham employees
from the Barton property.
"Oh, never in the world 1t was
quite like Mr.. Bashford to want to
care for these people In their old age.
And-"she laughed and turned toward
me-"they can't be 1lslodged while
Bob lives; and we don't want to part
with him just yet"
l was glad to have him hear her ad-
dress me in this intimate fashion. Tor
ry always inspired In me a desire to
shock him.
II shall help Alice to break them In,
TORY" l said, lingering upon her
name for his special editiCation.
"Of course, Singleton" he replied. 81
wasn't sure you meant to stay on. Par.
don me, but l didn't"
"Oh, 1t isn't that Bob hasn't a right
to stay" said Alice quickly; Mrs
FarnswOrth and l are hoping that he
] will like us well enough to share OuI
! exile on other accounts"
Il am engaging Mr.. Singleton to ex
plain American jokes to me-" an
nOunced Mrs Farnsworth. "Alice
seems to get them, but I'm never sure
1t is part Of Torrence's business tc
counsel widows, which he does like the
honorable man he is, but as he rose tC
20 presently, remarking that his wife
would motor down to call shortly,
caught glimpse of his face that indI
Gated deep perpleXity, ! left when he
did.
II want to talk to you" he said nerv,
ously when we were outside. "Tll send
! the car ahead to the gate"
When the shrubbery cut us off from
the house he stopped abruptly and
seized my arm. What do you make OF
| it," he demanded.
Make of what?" l asked.
THAT girl" he exclaimed testify.
"If you insist must avow that shes
adorable, nothing else"
Don't be fool! You knew Ray
mond Bashford much better than did
and you know perfectly well he never
married a young girl of that sort
Those women are playing a trick, anG