Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1920-04-22


curity of the premises: Its a party
with limp; just triling limp. sir;
you'd hardly notice 1t. A smallish
man. rather dark. with a little mus
tache turned UP at the ends"
Il have noted all these details. An
toine." replied; and again thought
there was Geographic exchange be-
tween the ladies though this time a
black slipper was the means of COM
munication.
Terrence arrived in q moment, and
nothing has ever given me keener Joy
than his shock of surprise at beholding
Mrs. Bashford. l was devoutly crate.
full that he had not been present at
the dinner-table, 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 l
overheard Terrence putting all the
machinery Of the trust company at
Mrs. Bashford's disposal. 1t seemed
almost blasphemy to be talking of
income and like matters to woman
like Alice Bashford!
They continued their conference for
some time. but l got nothing out of
Mrs. Farnsworth that shed any light
on my aunts history beyond what she
had told me herself. which was pre-
cfous little. Mrs. Farnsworth's talk
was that of cultivated woman. Her
voice interested me unaccountably;
the tones had oil manner of standings
and infections; it was curiously mu-
steal, but in speaking Of the great war
a passionate note crept into it that
stirred me deeply.
"This has been dark year for
Alice" she remarked. "Mr. Bashford's
death, followed quickly by that of her
brother-an only son-piled 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 I want to keep
her here little while until she can
readjust herself. It is my task to en-
courage her in frivolity and the make
believe she lOves-hence our absurd
tiles at the table. She's the drollest
child, but with wonderful understand
ing. And ut times it's not easy to
keep the divine spark Of play alive in
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. I~was sure that
his painstaking description of assets
and market values was boring her.
Once her voice rose in expostulation.
Terrence. l judged, was suggesting
that legal means could be found to ex-
pei the old birmingham employees
from the Barton property.
"Oh, never in the world! It wos
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 dislodged while
Bob lives; and we don't want to part
with him just YETI
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" I said, lingering upon her
name for his special editcation.
"Of course, Singleton" he replied. II
wasn't sure you meant to stay on. Par
don me, but l didn't"
"Oh, it isn't that Bob hasn't right
to stay" said Alice quickly; "Mrs.
Farnsworth and I are hoping that he
will like us well enough to share our
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"
tits part Of Torrence's business to
counsel widows, which he does like the
honorable man he is, but as he rose to
go 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.
Il want to talk to you,". he said nerv-
ously when we were outside. IN 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?" I asked.
'"That grill" he exclaimed testify.
If you insist, must avow that she's
adorable. nothing else"
Don't be fooll You knew Ray
mond Bashford much better than l did,
and you know perfectly we'll he never
married young girl Of that sort I
Those women are playing trick, and
I'm surprised that you don't see
through it."
my uncle was a man Of taste and a
gentleman" answered deliberately.
There's nothing in the least improba-
BILE In his being infatuated with 4
young woman Of charm and wit like