Arkinsaw Cousins; A Story of the Ozarks

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XII Goldie Pickens, having contrived to make Mrs. Eden feel that she was in the wrong about something, tripped out of the cottage, and went forth, as it were, to seek her fortune. She had an appointment with George Nicodemus for the discussion of his mining operations; moreover, there was the probability of a tete-d-tete with Peter, and the possibility of a meeting with Atterton. True, she had disposed of Groner, having found him impecunious and inclined to monopolize her, and hamper her movements; while from the tenor of a note received from Winthrop, inclosing a muchneeded check, she concluded that she had removed the wealthy widower from the sphere of her attraction. But Peter always remained, and his position in the bank assured him a living. He was such a certain quantity, that Goldie could well afford to speculate on the x's and y's in life's equations. As she skirted the barbed wire that protected freshly laid cement, she first took up Atterton. Here was a young man, the son of an immensely rich orchardman, unmarried, and, according to the neighbors, who felt sure in the premises, impartial in his attentions to Core City girls. Were he in love with any one living at a distance, of course, everybody would know her name and degree. There was, therefore, no such complication. Now, Goldie possessed a vital secret concerning this young man, a secret she had gained by listening at the kitchen door with as meek and conscientious a face as is consistent with the act of eavesdropping. She had overheard most of the conversation between Mrs. Eden and Winthrop Thornberry. How could this secret be used to bring Atterton under her influence? It was a matter that required delicate handling; perhaps it would be best to allow natural events to shape her cou...