Rocky Ford enterprise., 1901-03-22

they Coocu anu lhuSntu MIN INTO COM
pliance. The odds We're against the
boy: there was an excuse for his weak
ness.
Gladys took her meals in her own
rooms. and never left them except for
daily airing upon the upper balcony
on which her side windows opened.
Phebe. In her pllsrlmages back and
forth to the Kitchen and pantries. saw
all that was going on and her face
grew grimmer than ever. But she
made no protest. and Helen. quick TO
interpret any sign In her own favor.
decided that this was one of the in
stances when silence meant aequies-
cence. No doubt Mrs. Atherton had
thought everything over. and rather
than totally ALLEVIATE her boy. conclud-
ed to yield. at least In n measure. TO
his Just demands. Full surrender
would come later. when she realized
how tardy she had been in n matter
that should long ago have been adjust
ed. Naturally she found IL hard to
acknowledge herself In the wrong: but
the acknowledgment would surely
come. and when II did. even though
late. they must receive II very kindly
and generously. Helen told Harvey.
with the air OF very good person
mngannimoua enough to pardon very
bad one.
Helen. however. was not afraid OF
Tomllnson. nor OF any living being.
To do her Justice she had thoroughly
persuaded herself she Was doing her
duty. and thus grounded. fatty refused
to surrender the keys.
when ! have given m account OF
my stewardship TO Mrs. Athsrton.' she
said. II am sure she will give them
into no hand but her own. ! am ready
TO sec her ut any time"
My mistress Isn't strong enough TO
talk business Just yet" said Phebc.
hastily. AS for tho keys. I'm not par
tIcular for n week or 10. l can't be
much about the house until she is
well on her feet again. The thing l
am particular about is to get her par
Tor ready for her RICH; away. and l
want every servant In the house TO
help me"
The room cannot be disturbed to-
day" said Helen. firmly. Il must mrs,
make some suitable arrangements Tor
my s!stcrs."
She glanced Mt her husband. who
stood n little aioof. looking rs awk-
ward rs men generally do when scrv-
| Ing rs n buffer for two angry women.
Did you not explain this to your
mother. Harvey"
Fully: but my arguments failed TO
carry weight" he answered with ns-
sumed liIhtncss. hoping to win Helen
| to n less determined mood. He knew
Phcbc better than she did. and feared
serious trouble II the housckeepcr was
| dcncd. Il think we must try and do
what the mater asks. sweetheart. She
is seldom cxact!ng. and the fnncics OF
an invalid should be humored."
Il have no patience with sick fan
cics: they are born OF weakness that
should not be encouraged. She de-
mands an imposs!bili,y. In her weak
state she does not need the room.
wonder at you. Harvey. for encourage
ing her In such selfshness."
"Oh, well. we'll. don't let us quarrel
over anything 80 trihing. No doubt
tomorrow will be soon enough to think
IL,
his arm about her shoulders and draw
ing her to him. She gazed affection
ately into his face and put up her hand
to meet his. her frown gone. He look
ed Mt Phebe. smiling persuasively.
I'm afraid this wilful girl must have
her way, Tomlinson. Won't you make
1t all right with the mater? I'm sure
you can II you will"
To any other onlooker the matri-
monial tableau would have had its
charm. 1t enraged Phebe. She was
Jealous OF her mistress. pushed aside
and treated like a child by this pre-
sumptous pair. who seemed to think
the world made for them and their
paltry love. She glared angrily at
them from under her shaggy brows.
is that your last word. Mr.. Har-
vey?" she asked with ominous calm
ness. Then listen to me, both OF
you. The rooms will be ready for the
mistress in Just three hours. I'll give
the nurse and parlor maid half an hour
to take away their things. II anything
is left after that I'll throw 1t out OF the
window-and you from the door II
YOU dare interfere!" she added to Hell
en-. who had started forward, hot
words on her lips.
"Tomlinson. what do you mean by
addressing my wife in that insolent
manner" exclaimed Harvey.
What do you mean by disobeying
the best mother n son ever had. you
ungrateful boy?" she furiously return
cd For that's all you are, though
you're nightly set up with having
wife and baby. If you were n few
years younger I'd larrup you well for
YOUR impudence. Get out OF my way
you've hindered me long enough. As
for this woman, whose jumping jack
Won are. she'll be dealt with later"
uh,b, ppyar payp GLADYS the full