Arizona republican., 1922-01-11
Chapter LvlI.


John Aldrich had longed to help
Muriel in some way. She was Civ
ing up fine position, going to an
unknown city with an invalid
mother Suddenly he found the way
He had once again asked Marcia to
give her consent to adopt Kenneth,
and once more she had angrily re-
fused. Muriel should take Kenneth
and he would pay her for his care
Mrs. Doran would be glad to have
him and able to look after him dur
ing Muriels absence. She planned
to get a position as soon as possible.
Muriel and her mother gladly con-
sented to his plan.
MuriePs departure had no visible
effect upon John other than that he
became perhaps a little more quiet,
| bit more reserved. Never had a
word of love passed between them,
and yet some way John felt that
Muriel knew that had he been free
| 1t would have been different. When
the train drew out OF the station and
he had untwined Kenneth's arms, he
muttered as he watched until even
the smoke had disappeared:
Another fond hope blasted-no,
| two" as Murieps face floated mistily
before him. He had not realized
until that day how much he was to
miss little Kenneth, how he had come
to love the boy. Now he must econ
omize to care for him. so he decided
| to give up smoking.
Il am so glad you have stopped
smoking, John" Marcia said TT
isn't good for you; then it Is an ex-
pensive habit. We can have that
lamp / have admired for wkat your
smoking costs YOU
I'm a year-perhaps."
"There's no need waiting. I'll get
the lamp. If you don't smoke the
money will be saved"
John had piece of work come his
way at this time that paid him very
we'll. For the first time he kept such
! good news from Marcia. He would
put all he earned on that Job away
He was really worried that he could
not save anything; really anxious
| because of his obligations to Muriel.
| He must pay literally for Kenneths
! care.
He was not feeling well, lassi-
| tude new and consequently annoy
! ing to him made his work an effort.
He missed Muriel acutely. Her rest
fulness, her quick understanding and
! also her interest in his one fad-as
| Marcia called his love for valuable
| china-had made for happiness and
| contentment when with her. Now
! that was gone. He no longer had
to make EXCUSES to himself for fire.
quent calls at the shop, he no longer
found it so hard to refrain from
| buying something he felt he could
not or ought not afford so that he
might catch a glimpse of her or chat
with her for a few moments. Sud-
denly life had taken on a dull gray
tone. He felt stagnant, as if some
thing were needed to rouse him to
interest.
Marcia noticed the change and
asked:
''Are you i'll, John?"
mo. Why?"
"Well-you act as If you didn't care
about anything. N you feel sick, do
go to a doctorl If you aren't, why
do try to show a little interest in
met I plan everything / can think
of to have a good time, and you are
so lackadaisical that one would think
never did anything"
Don't try to do so much, Marcia
Let us be just a little quiet, have an
evening to ourselves occasionally
This constant going and entertain
ing is hard when I work as l do"
That's just it! You are so in love
with that old work that you can't
think of anything else. Why, most
men would be delighted with the
clever crowd / have around me all
the time, but you just complain and
talk about work. Pity you aren't
glued to that old desk so tightly you
couldn't get away, you seem to love
it SOL"
'Tt is very necessary that I spend
most of my waking hours at my
desk IL am to satisfy you, Marcia
"There! Blame me for everything
! when l do the very best l can with
what you give me. Claire and Nell