Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-26
oeem Starts Something

oeoH Starts Something
3 Ceoff was distinctly uncomfort-
nbie. He realized he had gone
surther than he ever intended to
Ghen he entered that room, and yet
He wasn't getting anywhere with the
real mission which had brought him
there. He decided he'd better find
aut what he could before he let him
felf get carried away and make any
more fool statements he couidn
back up IN the future.
"You said there wasn't none O Dir.
Shirley's family left, ma'am. How
many was there in 1t: Dfdn'ts he
have no brothers nor aisters?'
!, His mother died when he was
&tiil little boy and his father when
he was twenty-five" Miss Bever-
Iey's hands relaxed and fell to the
arms OF her chair. There was a
brother, Randolph, who was much
older and little sister. Sallie.
Randolph sold their old home
berc when the/ news came Of
@-of what had happened up in New
York and took Sallie to California
to live; she was killed In rail-
road wreck out there somewhere
few years later and / don't think
she ever knew what was said about
Lawrence. ] like 10 believe that che
didn't, for she idoIized him, even
though he and Randolph had quar-
reled bitterly when he left for the
North: and RapdoIph forbade her to
write to him. I used to smuggie lit
lie notes for her into my letters.
lis Mr Randolph Shirley still in
California" asked Gcoff.
! Nobody knows. Nome OF thc
folks here want ever 10 see him
Again. He--he was right quick to
Think evil of his brother. ana every
one loved Lawrence"
Her soft voice fingered over the
Fame like a caress. Gcoff gu ess"d
Vaguely what II had coyt her so 10
open her heart 10 stranger. and Il
man VINO She must have seen wss
not her kind He knew he vas
freading upon facrcd ground, and
yet there was nOre@hat he must
learn.
/. what did the two brothers quar-
Aver. Miss Beverley? / s'pose this
sounds mighty fresh to you. but we
want 10 find out all we kin bout MIR.
Lawrence Shirley sos Mr.. Dunn Kin
help clear up the mistake that was
Iaddc" .GcoR coughed. You see,
ge know he wasn't crazy bout
gpccl,ilatin' like the papers said: he
fold MI. Dunn he didn't Ike 1t no
Inorc'n he would common gambiin'
hut he had To have a lot o. money
real quick, 10y "a certain time. ard
he couldn't make 1t noways 'cept on
the stock market Did he ever tell
you what he had to have that money
tor?"
4 know. II was because Of LlC,"
That vibrant note of pain had cOnie
iptn her tnnNg ''I)nun y a.
in the South Mr.. Peters. we are
taught to obey our parents In the
old fashioned way and though
Lawrence Shirley and | had--had
cared for each other. always. there
was man from Louisville my
father wanted me to marry. He tad
asked permission To pay his ad-
dresses to me. and though he was
old he waa very wealthy and We
NO had lost almost everything.
Lawrence inherited $4,000 from his
fathcrs estate, but 1t was very little
compared to what the-the otncr
man bad. and my father said that |
must forget him. Lawrence and he
had u terrible quarrel and Lawrence
swore that he would go away and
make as much money in two years
"s the other man had II Il lifetime.
His pride had been cut II the quick
and nothing could stop MIA. While
Il did not even dream OF Gisobey-
ing my Gather and marrying him
right that very day, Randolph
wanted him to put his capital In
some big mills down the river, that
is what their quarrel was over but
Lawrence took II and went up North.
That as in June. just "a year and ~
half before he--he died. But what
was the rest Of your message. Mr..
Peters" What had he said about
mo that Mr.. Dunn wishes me to
know
Geoft drained the goblet of cooling
drink and then carefully replaced IT
upon tho table as he rose Hc must
mako ono last valiant effort. but he
wished that she would take those
clear steady blue eyes from his face.
"He showed him your picture.
ma'am. and told him that you was
the lady who was waitin' FOR him
down here and he was comm back
soon's ever he could to marry you.
lie said,-he said that Hobuddy
never cared for nohuddy else in this
here world the way he cared for
YOU
THAT was the best he could do on
the spur of the moment. and he
averted his face quickly lest he
glimpse upon her a look which be-
lnnged only TO the boy who was dead.
His mission was accomplished and
he wanted to get away, efrace him
self. as soon as possible. but he
didn't know how to bring his visit
to q close. 1t was his hostess who
saved the situation for him after
tense moment Ivy rising and holding
out her hand.
Thank YOU" she said quietly. 81
shall never forget that. nor you for
bringing the message to me. You
arc going North again right soon
'Quick's ever kin git there.
ma'am." Geoff replied In heartfelt
sincerity.