The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1900-12-21
CHAPTER II.-(Continued.)

figure and hair and eyes as dark as
Helen's own. AS he lifted his car
and waved it in greeting Helen held
the baby high above her head, that
papa might see him, and stood smll-
ingly at her post until Harvey had en-
tered the room and EMBODIED mother
and child in his embrace. The little
scene was enacted every day, but to
neither had it lost it's charm. They
were ardent lovers still.
"Ill run up and get into my fan
nels, Nell, and Wen take a walk
through the grounds" said Harvey,
when the usual small questions had
been asked and answered. Saunders
told me this morning he didn't like the
appearance of the young plum trees,
and promised to go and look at them.
Shall | send Mary for the boy?"
mo, thank you; I'll take him to
the nursery myself. l must change my
dress if we are to have tramp" said
Helen, with glance at her trailing
tea gown.
She enjoyed walking through the
grounds with Harvey, and took an &C
tive interest in stock and crops. Be-
fore his marriage Gladys always &C
companied him in these expeditions,
but she never did so now. Helen
claimed every moment of her hus-
bands leisure; she considered him
hers and hers alone; not even his
mother had a claim upon him; and
her open demonstration of the almost
fierce love that found outlet in con-
slant caresses even in the presence of
third party, made the better bred
Gladys feel so decidedly in the way
that she soon ceased to intrude upon
the pair, to Helen's satisfaction and
Harvey's secret relief; for few men
care to have a witness to their matri-
monial love making, particularly If
that witness be a mother or sister.
Strolling leisurely homeward, the
welded couple encountered Gladys just
returning from her ride. She smiling
ly raised her whip to her hat in sa-
lutte, and rode smartly toward the
house. Harvey looked after her ad-
miringly.
by Jove! I believe the mater
grows lovelier every day." he ex-
claimed. And how superbly she sits
her horse!"
Helen frowned little. Mrs. Ather-
tons beauty was not congenial theme
with her.
THAT reminds me, Harvey; l spoke
to your mother today about the bills,
as you suggested and she refused to
look at them, she is satisfied with
things as they are"
ooh, very well; in that case we'll
let the matter drop" said Harvey,
easily.
"And allow the tradesmen to go on
cheating us, as l am convinced they
do? My conscience would not permit
me to remain inactive under such cir
cumstances. No, dearest, you must
see her yourself, and bring her to our
way of thinking-the only right way.
You have great influence with her."
Yes, fancy have" said Harvey,
complacently. But you see I've never
meddled with her business affairs, and
l hardly like to begin now"
"Why not? 1t is your duty to pro-
tect her interests and your own. The
property will all be ours some day"
God Forbid" broke in Harvey. Il
can't imagine life without the dear
little mater. Beside, she is young yet
she may outlive us both"
Helen was a good woman; but she
did not look overjoyed at this sugges-
ton.
Even then there is baby to con-
sider," she said smoothly. I'VE all
owe a certain duty to him. If you and
l can redeem money that is being abb
solutely thrown away we ought to do
it, however we may dislike to appear
officious."
well, sweetheart, I'll see what l
can do" said Harvey, rather reluctant
ly. LAS you say, it is my duty to
look after things, for the place is vir-
tually mine, as much as it is the
matters. l don't know the terms of
my fathers will, but of course he pro-
vided suitably for his son."
ut seems very strange to me that
there was no division of the property
when you came of age" replied Helen,
for the first time expressing a thought
which had for weeks veXed her. You
ought to open the subject with your
! mother. She is unbusiness-like, and
may not realize that the time has come
for a settlement. She can't treat you
as a dependent always. You are
married man now, with a married
mans responsibilities"
Harvey's face had grown very grave.
Helen saw that she had said enough
for this time, and changed the sub
ject.
CHAPTTR III.