Middletown transcript., 1922-08-19

|
to be my wife, to come to Cold juno
tion with me and marry me. D'you sup
pose> he could hold his job here an
other day If the company knew he's
paralyzed? I'll drive him from the
portage unless you marry me and let
| him take his pension and live with
| u.s."
II tell you mo- again." cried Molly.
"How MANY times am l to answer you ?
Will you go now?'
He caught her by the wrists, thrust.
ing his face forward into hers.
She screamed in fear, and they heard
the dragging footsteps of the factor in
his room above. The old man felt his
way slowly down the stairs and edged
along the counter. There was fear in
his sunken eyes; but it was anger
made him tremble.
"Ye go too far, Mr. Bowyer! he
quavered. "Ye Gamma insult my girl
in my own housew
"Get back to bed, you old fool !"
sneered Bowyer. didn't you do your
own love-making?"
IF she Wilma have We l Wilma sell
her! Leave the house and do your
worst !"
| IF do," answered Bowyer, "I'll do
1t. D'you mean that? Answer me,
McDonaldv
The factor sank back against the
counter and glared at him with hag-
gard eyes, his gray beard brushing his
breast. Bowyer smiled triumphantly.
| Speak for me, Mcdonald" he
jeered. '"Tell her why she'd better
change her mind"
| The factor raised his head. "NIolly.
lass" he whimpered, "it's a grand op-
portunity he's offering We. Have We no
thocht of that? It'll be hame for We
In my old age, when l Gamma care for
| ye."
Molly fixed her eyes in horror upon
Mcdonald. But Bowyer strobe between
them.
you're a fine love-maker" he
sneered. "Get out Of the wayw
And, inflamed almost to madness, he
seized Molly In his arms and pressed
his lips to her cheek and throat again
and again.
Il guess you're not SO coy rs you pre-
tend, Molly" he cried. "You women
are all alike, after all. I never knew
one yet that wasn't in hurry to get
hitched up, however much she pretend
ed to dislike it,"
| The opening of the door behind him
made him start. Kitty stood there, and
it was quite clear that she had been a
spectator of the scene. With stran-
gled cry Molly broke from Bowyer's
grasp and ran into her room. She
dragged her bed against the door and
stood behind it, sobbing with terror
and anger. The factor leaned against
the counter, look of dull apathy on
his face. Bowyer turned sheepishly to
Kitty.
well, guess you caught me this
time, Mrs. Bostock," he said. but, be-
ing a woman, you'll understand"
Kitty's disgust for Bowyer held her
silent. She made the slightest gesture
of her head to him and went out of the
store. Bowyer followed her.
what does 1t mean?" asked Kitty.
at means that want Molly McDon-
aid. and I've never wanted any man or
woman yet that l didn't get" said
Bowyer. make the most of it," he
| clustered. 1--WE as much right as Car
| ruthers, haven't ~"
NO. said Kitty.
"Why haven't II"
"Mr. Carruthers was first They are
engaged"
"Whats to stop her breaking it?'
! AS his agitation subsidized, Bowyer, a
keen judge, noticed that Kitty's poise
was unnatural; she seemed laboring
under some suppressed emotion He
looked quickly into her eyes and saw
that she had been crying. And then he
knew.
| A slow smile spread over his face.
Kitty B0stock had not made Big Mus
keg her home so long out of devotion
to the memory of Joe.
With deliberated impulse Bowyer
put out his hand and took hers.
II want two things, Mrs Bostock," f"
he said. "Molly Mcdonald, and the
Missatlbi. How many do you want y
He looked at her still more keenly.
| "One?"
Kitty said nothing, but there was the
| slightest nod of her head in answer.
ITS shame, Mrs. Bostock, that you
should have to lose all Joe's money in
that ten-cent line" said Bowyer. He
was quite at his ease now, feeling him
| self in his accustomed element of in
trigue. Even If it could be built. it
wouldn't pay. And If it did pay I'd
take it myself. l want it, anyway. Not
that I'd hurt you, If could help It,,
Mrs. Bostock: but I've got my interests
to look out for"
"Well?" asked Kitty, breathing
quickly.
"By the end of the year your shares
will be worth nothing. You'll be ruined.
1t will be impossible to raise the capt.
tai to keep the line, either. It's a
shame that Carruthers should waste
his time and strength trying to carry
out an impossible dream. If you could
sell your shares at par when the note
falls due, you could pull out, and you
and he could make a sensible invest
ment. He'd soon get over the disap-
pointment. You could see to that"