The Savannah morning news., 1902-02-16
HER LITTLE BROTHER
BY Elliott Walker.

Marlowe smiled and pushed it across
the table within reach of the small
grasping hand.
why, Elihu," whispered Lena, you
mustn't ask people to pass things. Wait
for lnez!"
Inez was the waitress. Her real
name was Jane, but upon coming to
serve at Mr.. Eddy's fashionable board
ing house. she had changed it tempo
rarily.
Elihu glared at his pretty sister and
leered approvingly at Marlowe. Seven
years of Independent thought and con-
stant defiance Of family wishes had
developed in him an element of often
sive determination. which called for
! deferential and cautious handling.
! Now he dropped his Jaw in - 'diotic
way and stared insutingly at Lena,
knowing we'll that this course would
mortify and anger her, and at the same
| time to be a safe line of action regard
| ing the possible rousing of Joel KIM
ball, who, stout and silent, sat upon
his right
The Kimballs We're boarding at Mrs.
| Eddy's while their house was being
repaired after a fire. and had a table
to themselves, with the exception of
two young men, whose sudden dis
position to be extremely agreeable was
remarked upon with pleasure by their
landlady, as heretofore they had prac-
ticed a studied reserve.
Possibly Lena Kimball, endeavoring
| to control the soul-torturing Elihu ap-
| pealed to their sense of pity; certainly
her fair presence stirred their admira-
ton.
Gregory Marlowe returned the childs
| look with one of diplomatic encourage
ment. If he had frowned Elihu would
have made eight different faces at him,
each more insulting than the last, and
Marlowe knew this and was wise. In
fact, he was now beginning to culti-
vate Elihu. And the youthful Kim
ball eyed him with favor and fell upon
him familiarly in passing.
Wilson Dumont looked upon Elihu
with cold and forbidden glance, and
! this excited him to manifestations of
scornful loathing in the Dumont di-
| rection
Children in the presence of strangers
and especially at the table, are filled
with a peculiar nervousness which
| finds its outlet in those abominable
ebullitions whose mortyfying results
nave caused so many irate mothers to
| remark: ''Tll never take YOU any-
What strange mental conditions are
produced by these apparently harm
| less influences, we have not as vet
| investigated. We do know, however.
| that these little ones labor at such
| times under a stress of excitement.
| (Which rarely affects their appetites)
indicated by a general desire to be In
| eVldence-to interrupt elders, to con-
tort their countenances, and to eat like
pigs.
Ehhu, being like most, so-called bad
children, of a sensitive and receptive
| temperament, felt the warmth and
coolness emanating from the young
men on the other side of the table and
was guided accordingly.
Mr. Dumont had the advantage of
Marlowe in that he was better looking
ana had more elaborate ward
rcbe. His conversational powers were
OF more brilliant style, and that
wasn't saying a, great deal, as
Gregory's methods were so simple as
to be almost commonplace.
ms one facial defect, and one of
which he was keenIy sensitive. was a
mole on his chin and upon this unfor-
tunate protuberance the gaze of Elihu
was now fastened with an alarming
| stare.
You've got a mole on yer chin!" he
observed loudly, in a disgusted tone.
assaulting this weak spot in his enc
| my's armor.
Dumont colored and looked an
noyed.
SSH whispered Miss Kimball, and
an embarrassed silence prevailed. Eli
hu perceived an opening for offense
and followed it relentlessly.
Lena hates moles," he announced: !:
shes got one right in the middle of
her back"
oh" cried the appalled, sister.
blushing vividly, you little wretch,
Father, do speak to Elihu?"
"Eh!" What?" asked Mr.. Kimball.
returning from thoughts of the stock
market. What did he say, Lena?"
No, matter now answered his
ter dinner If she was here he would
go from the table. He's perfectly dread
full"
Behave yourself, Elihu," said his
father, absently; don't let me hear
aonther word"
The culprit, much pleased at the
discontinue wrought by his ingenuity,
winked at Marlowe and subsided. Con-
VerSation tagged, and presently the
and expressing no desire for dessert,
excused themselves and left the din
ing room, Dumont boiling with wrath,
and Marlowe with Suppressed laughter.
| I'D like to Strangle that little rat"
snarled Dumont; "he is unbearable!''
"Pshaw! kids are always that way.
l wouldn't mind him." replied his COM
panion. "I'll get it next, l expect. Pret-
ty tough on his sister. thought"
| f"He needs a good hiding, that's what
he wants." cried Wilson, feeling of his
chin. 81 swear he made me feel as il
this mole was as big as a silver dol
lar I've a great mind to get a seat
at another table"
why don't your" asked Marlowe.
'T must say l should think it would be
pleasanter after this"
Dumont looked at him suspiciously.
mo, you don't!" he said to himself;
then aloud: I'm going to take in the
theater to-night-want to go?"
"I guess not" replied the other. "I'll
stay in and read"
Gregory strolled into the parlor
picked up book and sat down in an
easy chair.
Presently a small figure came slowly
in and stood disconsolately by the pi-