The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-02-14
MRS. MOhbISON MEETS HER MATCH


But Janet, dear, mamma won't al
low IT,"
I'VE shall see"
The young ladies entered the draw
ing room together, as guileless as two
kittens.
''Be as nice as you can, Arthur"
Janet whispered. Then she hurried
over to sit beside Mr.. Mollison on the
sofa, and within two minutes had him
telling with enthusiasm all about the
profits of the business of Sidney Mol
lison & Bro.
"ADd your brothers health being so
bad, all the work comes on you" The
blue eyes were sympathetic.
"Well he is able to do the routine
business, though he Is always conf
planning about his heart or his liver or
his lungs: and that makes 1t hard Oh
my wife"
"She's so goodr" said Janet. "And
you are perfectly lovely to give him
an interest in the business when he
does so little for it,
Mr.. Mollison swelloh with the pride
of q man conscious of the achievement
of half million. "Hc was fortunate
in being one Of my father two sons"
lie said.
"Ah!' said Janet. her blre eyes
beaming with admiration. But under
her curly blonde hair this thought
sped Evidently Brother Tom owns
half the business. He will do"
Then Janet limited at music and Mr..
Mollison said he never had enough of
it. She consented modestly to play
and sing, but her thoughts were soar.
ing, as the notes of her voice did
shortly. away up the stairs into Broth
or Toms apartment.
'How loud she sings" Mrs. Mollison
thought. But she hesitated to protest.
Tom VIII be raving in minute"
Janet was thinking: "He stays In
bed all day. does he? We shall see.
Hear thai! Hear that high note, Broth.
er Tom? People have said 1t is sweet
note. What do you think of it? II
YOU are not clod ven will come down
here and go with me in to dinner"
What does the woman mean by
scrceching so?' Mrs. Mollison reflect
cd, becoming more uneasy. 'She'll
rouse the Whole neighborhood."
The song finished. Janet turned on
the stool to receive Mr.. Mollison's ap.
plause. She was painting from her ex-
ertion. and she felt defeated. But If
they desired, she would sing again.
NO. my dear; not now, thank YOU"
Mrs. SIollison said with her most hon,
eyed smile. You might wake Brother
Tom"
''That's SO. How silly OF me to for
get" Janet bit her red lips to show
how regretful she was. But out Of the
corner of her eye she saw Brother Tor
in dressing gown approaching the
door from tie stairs.
Mrs. Mollison was alarmed. "Dear
Tom, you never got up at this hourr'
Tom was smiling. II make an en-
ception to-day. The lady--I heard her
sing"
Mrs. Mollison was compelled to in
troduce Janet to Brother Tom.
II liked your singing. Miss Craig"
Brother Tom was saying. land thought
l must hear it near mt hand. VIII you
sing again? %
''If you wish"
Mrs. Molllson was so distressed when
she saw Brother Tom hanging over the
piano that she forgot Beryl and Arthur
and left the room in order to hurry
up the dinner and get rid of her guest
as soon rs possible. She now guessed
the purpose of Miss Craig's loud sing
ing. Miss Craig was singing softly
enough at that moment, while Ton
turned her music
'The dinner is served" Mrs Molli.
son returned with worry expressed IN
her features. "AIr. Blythe, will you
take Miss Craig?"
No; I'm going to take Miss Craig
TO dinner, If she will excuse my dress
ing gown" intorposed the invalid. "Ex.
cuse me- Blythe You take Beryl in"
Mrs. Mollison saw the young pair
pass DeIore her with bashful awk-
wardncss, and shuddered.
"The huzzy!" she was looking at
Janet's blonde back hair.
"She's Il mishty smart woman" Mr..
Mollson snid confidently as lie an.
pronched his wife.
shell not get the better of me-"
Mrs. Molllson was defiant in defeat.
But Janet was delightfully."- blind to
the threatening frowns directed Mt her.
Her nierrimcnt was imitless and ire.
sistible. 1t hubbled over, enveloplng
the invalid at her side. and even reach.
ing the embarrassed pair OF young low
ers opposite them. Brother Tom in.
sisted upon being served to every
course.
"see how happy Arthur and Beryi
are" Janet remarked with artless sim
pliclty.
II never saw Blythe looking SO well,n
Tom agreed.
"And, what do you think? He gave
Beryl the prettiest silver hand mirror
you ever saw for Christmas"
"He did?' The invalid began to
laugh.
Mrs. Mollison could hold it no long
er. II have told Beryl she must return
the present" she began. But Brother
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