Shoshone journal., 1923-07-06

tit gray NO1e Iudl was L 1Hui o
day, and, finally, 1t was arranged that
she should go out with Lewis Beitle-
man, for an evening at his home, on
Monday.
isn't 1t ridiculous we never thought
of this before?" he said to her on the
train.
Neither his wife nor Eldreda was
visible when, with Miss Conifee, he
reached the porch of bis home. NAN
Inc" he called through the open door,
Here we are" There was no answer,
and he was placing Miss Conifee in a
comfortable chair when Eldreda ap-
peared. Her manner, he recognized,
was that of the earPs daughter greet
ing the faithful retainers from the
castle terrace-there was quick
smile, a widening of the notable eyes,
followed by congealing Of every hu-
man aspect.
Lewis Beitleman knew this posture
well, and 1t specially irritated him.
Mamma" she said, 'has a touch of
neuralgia, and asks to be excused"
Il didn't know that" he admitted
incautiously; "Ill go right up and see
her"
What's the matter with your he
demanded sharply, standing before the
recumbent Nanine.
1T hurts my face to talk" she ex-
planned hastily. He gazed steadily at
Ter, and then, without further speech,
turned and left the room. 1t was too
bad about Mrs. Beitleman, Miss Con-
ifee said. They were at the table, and
he was eating In a savage silence.
Eldreda's hands dropped like spent
lilies on her wrists. She couldn't think
why they had cottage cheese dis
gusting dish.
"Smear-case," Lewis Beitleman cor
rected her, taking a conspicuous sec
ond helping. His disappointment, his
resentment and anger, had hardened
within him; he scarcely noticed Miss
Conifee, so slight In the gray voile,
with an appropriate pale flower under
the close rim of her hat. After sup
per the three sat uneasily In a May
evening palpably silver under the
moon, warm spring breeze barely
stirred the foliage of the trees, a
piano played and stopped.
Lewis Beitleman's anger deserted
him, but he ached as though 1t had
left an actual wound. Eldreda rose,
remaining immobile, statuesque, wait
ing for moment, and then, without
explanation, vanished into the hall.
This created in his mind an image of
her leaving for the West, for Cali
fOrnia His wife, as well, had spoken
of going. He could come out and see
them in the winters. Sharply a voice
within him whispered cried, that he,
didn't have to; they couldn't drag him
to California.
It wasn't, however, of himself that
he was thinking, nor of Eldreda and
Nanine, but of Miss Conifee. His ad-
miration for her, he discovered, was
immeas asurable. And rightly; person
of integrity, who had given her vital
ity, her life, to him and his interest.
Now she was an old maid But he
discarded that term as soon as 1t oc-
Cured to him-Miss Conifee was
nothing so absurd. With money, with
the security he was about to offer her,
she'd have more hats with roses, roses
pink and not gray.
Miss Eldreda is beautiful" she
said, sudden and wistful. "We must
see hat she gets to California
Couldn't we do it this fall, Mr.. Beitle-
man?"
"This summer" he corrected her;
"and Mrs. Beitleman is going with
her."
''But who will stay with your Miss
Conifee demanded.
'T'Il be all right" he assured her.
| can go out and see them in the win
ters If l have to-"
81 don't understand" she replied,
slowly.
"You will soon enough" all his re-
straint was gone. Il don't care now
soon they leave and if they never
.ome back. If my money is all they
want they can have it. most of it,
md I'm well rid of them. What are
hey to me. I'd like to know. the way
rou are? Nothing You and me have
laved for them long enough. From
low on we're going to work some for
we're going to have a little
ase and days off rolling over the
Turned toward Miss Conifee he saw
er sway IN her chair. and then she
lundered to her feet
"Mr. BeitlemaDi" !" her voice was so
hoked that she was practically mar
culate. "What-what do you
iean? Whatever in my conduct gave
on the liberty TO say such thingsT
ne sank back into the chair. "Pm.
IN all in a tremble." There was the
topped heaye Of a sob. "Under- I
and that ! am leaving your employ
tent as soon as you can get some
Ddy else"
4..t.u n..ff.oU 4 Fo..-fg naltIa.,a.