The Adair County news., 1922-06-20


and anger. The factor leaned against
the counter, a 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 meanT' asked Kitty.
"It means that want Molly McDon--
aid, and I've never wanted any man Or
woman yet that 1 didn't get" said
Bowyer. make the most Of It," he
clustered. I've as much right as Car
ruthers, haven't I?'
NO." said Kitty.
"Why haven't To-
"Mr. Carruthers was first. They are
engaged"
"what's to stop her breaking itr
As his agitation subsidized, Bowyer, q
keen Judge, noticed that Kitty's poise
was unnatural; she seemed labOrtpS
under some suppressed emotion. He
looked quickly into her eyes and sew
that she had been crying. And then he
knew.
A slow smile spread over his face
Kitty Bostock had not made Big Mus
keg her home so long out Of devotion
to the memory Of Joe.
With a deliberated impulse BOwyer
put out his hand and took hers.
II want two things, Mrs. Bostock,"
he said. molly Mcdonald, and the
Mlssatibi. How many do you wantT
He looked at her still more keenly.
"OneT'
Kitty said nothing, but there was the
slightest nod of her head in answer.
"It's a 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, 1t
wouldn't pay. And II It did pay I'd
take 1t myself want 1t, anyway. Not
that I'd hurt you, If could help 1t,
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 cApi-
tai to keep the line, either. It's
shame that Carruthers should waste
his time and strength trying to carry
out an impossible dream. If you cQrtd
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"
He could not hide the flicker Of a
smile. Kitty saw it, and lOathed Bow
yer the more. She knew he was play
ing on her hopes, and yet the sudden
vision made her heart beat furiOusly.
I'm going to marry Molly" he con-
tinued. 81 swear that possess the
power to make her my wife. But I
want the line in return. want to see
some of JOe's papers. They're yours,
and you can let me see them without
doing wrong, and you'll be helping Car
ruthers indirectly. They're in his safe.
You know the combination.
"TIl marry her this fall. You can
trust me, Mrs. BOstOck, because you
oversaw just how feel about her"
Kitty tapped softly at the door of
Molly's room. Hes gone, dear" she
whispered. LET ME come in to you"
The bedstead was dragged back,
Molly stood before her, white-faced
and tense. Kitty put her arm round
. her and sat down on the bed beside
. her.
tom BOwyer's a beast, Molly she
said. But most men are. If you give
. them the least bit of encouragement
Il never encouraged him y cried
: Molly, sobbing violently. "I've always
hated the sight of him. He has some
4 power over father"
n "He seems very fond of you," sug
8 gested Kitty.
Il do you call that fOndness? 1 hate
n him. I hate the sight of him."
~ Kitty strOked her cheek softly. "1oI
haven't met very many men, dear. Love
- QOeSn I amount 10 very uuCu. Anu
= doesn't last very long. l was quite
happy with Joe, after the first mOntl
~ or two"
Molly looked at her in wonder. why
thought you and Joe loved eacl
:, Otherp' she exclaimed.
81 admired Joe and respected him
And then, there was not the dreadful
l. specter of poverty with him. Joe wa
a man like Will Carruthers, he'd keel
o." his word, no matter at what cost"
Molly sprang to her feet. What ar
&c you limiting at?" she cried hysterically
'What word is Will keeping? Do yo
10 mean his promise to meF
Kitty drew her down beside hel
- Cant you see, Molly, dear-Heaye
'i knows how 1 hate hurting you, but III
thinking Of your happiness as well a
y Will's-can't you see that it was onl
= a passing episode to him, this engagt
mentp
,e Molly sat perfectly silent, fixing he
u eyes on Kitty's face.
eff he had meant it, wouldn't b