The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1901-01-04
nent; she ~ the wlsest ~pman I

ment; she n the wlsest woman I
know"
"And the bestl" asked Gladys, with
feminine perversity counting the knife.
1.-THE best by far" he deliberately
answered.
The color died from her face, leaving
It white and wan.
"You are rude, sir" she said, more
sadly than bitterly.
mo, only truthful. l am sorry II |
have offended you, but you force ms to
defend my wife. II is my earnest wish,
mother, that you leave matters undis-
turbed. She is far better qualified TO
manage your domestic affairs than you
are; the childish temper you have Just
shown proves that. 1t is time you
| should transfer your burdens to
younger shoulders. AS your son, ! urge
you to do this, and am sure you Will
not oppose me seriously. II you insist
on having your room"
II do insist upon it."
"Then you must settle the matter
with Helen and see what is to be done
about the girls. Women always find
way out of these little difficulties
Harvey spoke is II the affair was OF
slight Importance, but he did not meet
Gladys steady look, evading 1t by
producing a cigar. "You don't mind
my lighting up before go?"
Harvey, be warned" said Gladys,
| seriously. IF you leave me to deal
with Helen you may regret 1t. l ask
you to arrange this matter quietly. but
Immediately. II you refuse to do so,
you must accept the consequence
II am not afraid of any you may
force upon me, madam; you are
lady; you will not make my wife the
center of family brawl," said Harvey,
with dignity.
THAT depends upon Helen herself.
Rest assured my present wishes Will
be carried out by some one, If not by
her. AS for the rest, your solicitude
for me In my declining years is touch
ing''-Gladys could be sarcastic when
she chose-"but as / am not in my
dotage, prefer to be my own manag-
err Let us keep to the point. Do
you think Helen can have my parlor
ready this afternoon"
81 certainly shall not ask her to
undertake anything SO unreasonable;
there is no hurry"
every we'll; I'll put the matter into
other and more efficient hands" She
struck bell on the table while speak
ing, and Phebe appeared with suspic-
ious promptness, not ashamed to ad-
NIT she had kept within hearing dis
lance. "Tomlinson, go with my son
to Mrs. Atherton, and ask her for the
household keys. You, Harvey, are
witness to this request. Send imme-
diately for Annette to take your place
here and direct all the servants in the
house to put my parlor in thorough
order. Can you have it ready for me
this EVENING""
"Oh, yes, easily. Come, Mr.. Har-
vey."
1t is hard to forget the habits of q
life time. Harvey had always been
afraid of Phebe. On the rare occasions
when Gladys had persuaded herself
that he needed corporal punishment
as boy, she entrusted the task to the
stern housekeeper, who performed 1t
30 faithfully that for an hour after
ward the mother and son sobbed in
each Others arms, with much that was
traitorous to the dispenser of justice
in the tears of both. Now, when Phebe
spoke with quiet authority, though
Tuning with anger, and surprised be-
yond measure, it never occurred to
him to resist her, and in silence they
left the room together.
They came merrily down the path
leading past her window, handsome
pair in the glow of their strength and
youth. Would he, her boy, look up
for. the mother face, as he had never
failed to do in the old days? Gladys
asked herself, her heart that she had
tried to steel, all at once going out
to him, with longing that was almost
agony. All, yes! He could not pass
without one feeting glance, and she
would answer with smile that must
bring him to her, and all might yet be
we'll.
To be continued.)