The Holt County sentinel. (Oregon, Mo.) 1883-1980, 1920-09-10
The BLOTTING PAD
BY MILDRED WHITE.

house, and that's why Fred insists up-
on keeping II sacred to his friend. You
know, Joie. that Fred and Judson
Jerome we're chums at college. Judd
was Fred's best man when we were
married. and throughout our married
life, their David and Jonathan friend
ship has flourlshcl. II seems pity,
that Judson prefers bachelorhood. be
Is snch n fine character. But then,
he is contentcd MS student and so
wrapped up In books. that when he
visits US, we have to sound the dinner
gong ut his very door. You should have
had the guest chamber, had not the
Binlns arrived at the last inopportune
moment. However. make yourself com-
Portable In Mr.. Jeromc's sanctum.
there Is no chance Of his coming TO
claim IL. He II down South" Joseph
Inc closed the door after her hostess.
and stood looking about the room
with It's dark impressive furniture.
one long table was almost covered
with books, while square OF blot
ting paper lay across one broad end.
Her cousins friend wns evidently a
penmnn ~ icgib,e nnenssS, for the
hlottlng pad was plainly stamped with
even, wcll.formcd lines OF writing.
Joic walked to the mirror. where
hung n memoranda, its pages covered
with the same distinct chlrOgrnphy.
| Then her attention conferred upon n
| speaking photograph " Judsnn Je-
rome. the scholar himself. 4 neat
autograph hrnenth the picture, pro-
claimed IT, identity.
Joic. IN one NJ the whimsical moods
which characterized her, greeted the
picture each morning, or waved to Il
a laughing farewell us she left tho
room.
| Cousin Nrcl was vastly amused.
Don't breathe word to lnlc." she
secretly ntlmonlshcd her husband. VI
nm going 10 write Iuisun. asking him
TO stop over IN his return trip. will
explain That for u night or Two be
will have TO put up with your den ns
n sleeping place"
"No hope NJ matchmaking where
Judd l. concerned" her husband
warned her.
His wife merely smiled. she knew
her Joic well. And. when the scholar
was duly Installed In Frcds den, for
once books were forgotten. No long.
or was 1t necessary to seek him out for
meals. Judson Jerome was always
on hand. incidentally. always at
Joie's right hand. Eagerly, he
watched III. girl. n new hopeful ex.
p.esslon upon his fine serious face.
Joie. II wns. who turned perverse.
Jole. who fingered In her borrowed
Joie, who pcrsistently turned n cold
shoulder TO the original OF the por-
trait with which she had communed.
Her cousin was In despair. he
loves her" Nell discons olntely toln
her husband. as Judson Jerome for
q second time postponed his depar-
turc. "nnd fears 10 lose his chance By
going AWAY. And Joie loves him. ]
know IT,"
''Then what the deuce IL the mattar
with herr" the husband asked. HIS
wife shook her head. ~ can't In,
agine," she replied.
l
Judd Jerome met his host later IN
the hall. II am going away. Fred"
he said jerkily. "That little cousin
OF yours seems TO have secret antip-
athy to me. and will not annoy
her longer with my presence"
"Judd." his friend said slowly. Nell
tells me that Joie sits weeping before
II your picture when alOnp Ii tho an.
tipathy so strong, do you think. that
II causes her to moon over your Or
10 incoming supposed to have another
s'snincancer
Judson was already fur down the
hall In a coEy nook ut Its end where he
had spied Josie. Anticipating her
movement toward night, he barred the
door. u love you-" the scholar burst
out breathiessiy. u love you more