Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1939-10-12
CHAPTER XII-Continued

Badly" Evans said, 81 don't
agree with you that it was-the mon
ey. That may have helped in her
decision. But I think she cares"
''For Towne-n
cit isn't nonsense. She knows
nothing of love-. She may have TAX
en- the shadow for the substance.
And he can be very-charming." 1t
wrung his heart to say it. But al
most with clairvoyance he saw
the truth.
When they returned to the house
Badly found message from Edith.
He was to call her up.
"Uncle Frederick has just told
me-" she said, t'that Jane is to be
my aunt. Isn't it Joyful"
"I'm not sure"
''Why not?"
ooh, Towne's all right. But not
for Jane"
81 see. But he's really in love
with her, poor old duck. Talked
about it all through dinner. He's
going to try awfully hard to make
her happy"
"Then you approve?"
He heard her gay laugh over the
wire. ''It will be nice-to have you
in the family. I'll be your niece
in-law."
you'll be nothing of the kind"
"You can't help being = Uncle
Badly. Isn't that-delicious? And
now, will you come in tonight and
sit by my fire? Uncle Frederick is
out"
GIVE sat too often by your fire."
'Too often for your own peace of
mind? I know that. And I'm glad
of it." Again he heard ripple Of
laughter.
'It isn't a thing to laugh at"
She hesitated, then said in a diff
ferent tone, II am not laughing. But
want you by my fire tonight"
1t was late when Evans went up
stairs. He had spent the evening
with his mother, discussing with her
some matters where his legal knowl-
edge helped. They did not speak of
Jane. Their avoidance of the SUBJ
ject showed their preoccupation with
it. But neither dared approach it.
On the bedside table in Evans
room lay the valentine he had
bought for Jane. There it was, with
its cupids and bleeding hearts-its
forget-me-nots-and golden darts.
Arthur Lane and Sandy talked it
over. II wonder what has hap
pened. He looks dreadful"
The two boys were on their way to
Castle Manor. They wanted books.
Evans library was treasure-house
for youthful readers. It had all the
old adventuring tales. And Evans
had read everything. He would SIM
ply walk up to shelf, lay his hand
on book, and say, "Here's one
you'll like" And he was never
wrong.
But Of late, Evans Toilette had
met them with an effort. "Look for
yourselves" he had said, when they
asked for books, and had sat star
ing into the fire. And he had not
urged them to stay. His manner
had been kind but inattentive. They
were puzzled and a little hurt. IT
feel sorta queer when he acts that
way" Sandy was saying, as if he
didn't take any interest. I don't
even know whether he wants us any
more"
Arthur refused to believe his hero
inhospitable. cts just that he's got
things on his mind"
They reached the house and rang
the bell. Old Mary let them in.
Hes in the library" she said,
and they went towards it. The door
was open and they entered. But
the room was empty
That morning Badly had had let
ter from Jane and had handed it to
Evans. 1t was the first long letter
since her engagement to Towne.
Badly had written to his sister, fam
ingly, demanding to know if she
were really happy. And she had
said:
II shall be when Judy is better.
That is all / can think of just now.
Her life is hanging in the balance.
We can never be thankful enough
that we got the specialist when we
did. He had found the trouble. The
question now is whether she will
have the strength for another opera
ton. When she gets through with
that! Well, then I'll talk to you,
darling. hardly know how l feel.
The days are so whirling. Mr..
Towne has been more than gener-
Gus. If the little I can give him
will repay him, then I must give it.
dearest. And it won't be hard. He
is so very good to me-"
And now this letter had come aft
er Towne's second visit:
"Baldy, dear, l am very happy.
And l want you to set your mind at
rest. am not marrying Mr.. Towne
for what he has done for us all, but
because love him. Please believe
it. You can't understand what he
has been to me in these dark days.