Wallowa chieftain. [volume] (Joseph, Union County, Or.) 1884-1909, 1902-08-28
The Broken Cloud

o. EALLY, Gerald, the way you
lSI speak to me is unendurable! II
SH | were your slave you could not
+ be more domineeringw exclaimed Mrs.
Fenton, as she put the teapot violently
on the table.
Take care the tempest does not ex-
plCde the teapot, madam" her husband
retorted.
AS If l hadn't a namew she cried.
And then followed angry words ON both
sides.
They paid no attention to their lit
tie daughter, Ada, who looked first at
one angry parent and then at the 9TH
er, until she finally sobbed aloud. EN-
mle-Mrs. FentOn-rose to soothe the
child, but tears are catching, and theirs
mingled. Mr. Fenton meanwhile left
the room, slamming the door after him,
and went to his office as usual
Its fortunate that the new house
keeper is coming to-day" thought EN-
mie. Now l can go and see Cousin
Maggie, and get the cobwebs brushed
away. 1t will do Gerald good to pass
an evening without me-"
She initiated Mrs. Maloy, when she
arriyed, into the ways of her house
hold, told her to prepare her husbands
dnner, and left message for him to
The effect that she intended returning
by the late car.
Don't leave either house door open,
for tramps come round sometimes" she
cautioned the woman, who replied:
Sure and amt l afeared enough o.
|tramps to lock the dOors?"
When Gerald came home toward
eyening he rang the bell as usual, not
being in the habit of carrying a latch
Sey, for Emmie liked to admit him her
self.
"Good-evening, Mrs. Maloy," he said,
"as he heard the latch click.
Il The new housekeeper opened the door
Ia little way, placing her strong foot
FIRMLY behind it.
H Who are youT she asked, giving
sVing him suspicious look. And
what may you be wanting?"
10 come in, of course" was the nat
ural answer.
"Sure and ye don't!" was her reply.
n rs Mrs. Fenton at home?" Gerald
asked loudly.
The mistress is out" she answered,
E and the business is none of yours"
n Don't you know I'm Mr.. Fenton"
he began.
But she interrupted him with:
Fl "A mighty foine story to get an old
woman to believe"
Gerald fairly gasped, while he won
uered how much of his wine Mrs. Ma
10y had imbibed. What a mistake he
uad made in this woman! Yet he had
|'done the best he could. After Emmie's
correspondence with her, he had seen
#ner in his office, for was 1t not part of
as business as lawyer to judge peo-
iple by their faces?
4 No nonsense" he commanded. LET
Hne In at once!"
4 Just won't, and so therew she de-
t'afed' as she slammed the door. in his
'ace with great bang.
tie went round to the kitchen door,
and found that fast bolted. Should he
.etch policeman and force an en-
france! The woman might have done
.nihie some mischief. Turning to go
uowh street, he met friend.
saw your wife and little girl start
'u 10 Deepdene this morning, intend
'us to come back on the 10 o'clock car, "
le said.
Nesting on this information, Gerald
peht the evening at his club, returning
~ H. All was as still as the dead. His
Niie evidently remained for the night
' her Cousins and the old woman was
louDtless in drunken stupor. His only
esource was to go to hotel.
Alter wakeful night, the first per-
On Mr. Fenton met in the street was
chent of his, who urged his going on
mportant business to Chicago, and
en'on consented to start at once. His
ouse preserved the silence of the pre-
mus evening; so, tearing a leaf from
s pocketbook, he scribbled upon 1t
vi to Chicago; you will understand.
1Apect me when you see me.
GERALD FENTON."
'"ppihg the paper under the door, he
nOusht, This trip will give Emmie
"e 10 return to her former self" Then
nastened away, having barely time
atch the morning express.
"hen did Mr.. Fenton come back?'
aS MS wife's first inquiry of the
Vausekeeper on her return.
sure and Misther Fenton's not
uo"h himself inside the doorway since
you went awayw
WIN falling countenance Mrs Fen
Eon went on:
~, As no one been here then?"
No one at all to come in," the wom-