Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1920-10-27

vents Mays suicide.
but why?' demanded Whitaker,
dumfounded. "Whyt"
Mrs. Whitaker may have desired to
marry again Immediately. II I'm any
Judge Of human nature, she argued
that repayment Of the loan wiped out
every obligation. Feminine logic, per-
haps. but
ton.
You may not continued Drum
mond with light malice, have been
SO generous, so considerate and
chiNnfic, after all
"Oh, cut that" growlcd Whitaker,
unhappily II never meant to come
back.
"Thgn why did your
"Oh | don't know Chiefly
because | cnught Anne Presburys
sharp eyes on me in Melbourne-ns |
said n while ago. AT the Worst-lf
what You suggest has really happened
its IN opcn-and- shut case; no ones
going To blame the woman and 1t
ought to be easy enough to secure Il
separation or divorce
You'd consent to thnt:" inquired
Irummund intcntly.
Its the only decent thing | can
do"
prummond laughed quietly. IF
that's how you feel he said Il can
only give you one piece of professional
udNlcc.'
"What's that?'
Find your wife,"
After moment of puzzled thought,
Whitaker admitted ruefully: You're
right. There's the rub
I'm afraid You won't find 1t an
easy job. | did my best without uncov-
ering trace of her"
Did you try old Thurlow?'
'lIer father died within eight weeks
from the time you ran away. He left
everything to charity, by the way.
Unforgiying Brighter"
"Well, there's her sister, Mrs Petit"
address, observed Drummond,
lin. Pettit's got some sort of Il
minor diplomatic berth over there"
so the devil But, anyway,
can write
He moved to n window and stared
rudely at the Post Office Building FOR
time. I'm going to find her just the
same--if she still lives" he announced,
turning back.
would you know her If you saw
herr"
II don't know" Whitaker froWnod
with annoyance. shes six years
older"
well but what was she like?"
Drummond pursued curiously.
Whitaker shook his head. ITS not
easy to remember. Matter of fact, |
don't believe | ever got one good
square look at her. 1t was twilight
in the hotel, when I found her; we
sat talking in absolute darkness. to-
ward the end; even in the minister's
sturdy there was only green's shaded
lamp on the table; and on the train
we'll, we were both too much worked
up. fancy to pay much attention 10
details"
"Blondc or brunei
II swear | don't know. She wore
one of those funny knitted caps tight
down over her hair, all the time
Drummond laughed quietly.
Il don't feel in a joking humor,"
Whitaker said roughly. It's Il serious
matter and wants serious treat
ment What else have we got
TO null ovcrT'
prummond shrugged suavcly.
"There's enough to keep us busy for
several hours, he said. For instance,
there's my stewardship
"Your which?'
"My care of your property. You left
good deal of money and securities
lying round loose you know; naturally
] felt obliged Ia look after EN-. There
was no telling when Widow Whitaker
might walk in and demand an account
ing. | presume we might as we'll run
over the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT it is getting
late
"IIalf-past four Whitaker Informed
him. consulting his watch. Take too
long for to-day. Some other time.
Drummond's reply was postponed by
the Office boy, who popped in on the
heels OF light knock.
"Mr. Mux's outside he announced.
go the deuce" The exclamation
seemed to escape Drummond's lips in
voluntarily. He frightened them an.
grlly. as though regrctting the lapse
OF self-control and glanced hurricdly
askancc to see If Whitaker had no.
ticed. I'm busy" he added, n trace
sullenly. TELL him I've gone out
But he's got 'nappointment,' the
boy protested. And besides, told
him you was in"
"You needn't fob him off on my nc.
count" Whitaker interposed 1--WE can
finish our contab -Monday--any
tune. It's time for me- to be getting