The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-11

derneath are the everlasting armsl' Do you feel that.
Peter?"
.I-I-yes, indeed, Aunt Lucia-you must want a bite
Of something, I'm sure, driving so far"
Peter wrthed miserably in Aunt Lucia's crapeand-jet
arms.
Not till I have seen her. Peter. Afterward 1 shouldn't
mind. 1 have brought such a beautiful address by Bishop
Hunter. 1t was delivered on the occasion of tho death
of Governor --. unless / forgot to put 1t in with my
knitted shawl. l believe 1 did. 4 will send for 1t directly.
When my dear husband-he was so fond of clarice-died.
I read 1T more than anything else, except the prayer book,
OF course. You will surely find 1t a help"
Yes, Aunt Lucia. Your room is ready, and"
Not till I have seen her. Peter"
'susy is there now. and Miss Strong says nobody else
this evening. Tomorrow"
Aunt Lucia drew away.
DO I understand that susy Wylie-no relation at all
is preferred before TIE only mother clarice has had for
Peter WINGED. But you weren't here. Aunt Lucia
he argued YEARLY.
WHO is Miss strong?"
Here she ISL There was great relief in Peters voice.
Miss Strong, my aunt, Mrs. Wetherly."
!. i. 4. i. X X + f.
Mrs. Moore sends you her best love, and wants you
to get thoroughly rested, so that you can sec her the first
thing in tho morning, Mrs. Wetherly. Sho says you are
not to let them brighten YOU
AS II by magic. the formidable frown faded from
Aunt Lucias forehead. She smiled approvingly at the
nurse.
Very well. I should like to ask you a few questions
Clarice was always thoughtful
They moved away together. The two men stared ut
each other.
How do you account for that?" Beden quered.
ooh, It's her calm way and her voice. You want to
do everything she says. Norah says she's sure Mrs.
Moore will get well now, with her to take caro- Of her.
By George. VIII, If she pulls Caddy through. It'll be worth
her while, I tell you"
.oh. they always do their best And they all have that
habit. I fancy. It's part OF the training
Peter looked up surprised.
You don't like her, eh?'
How absurd. 1 never considered her particularly. I
dppp<H "a ~ Pr, n,.,It ~ ~ ON rama ~ I
'oh. nonsense! l tell you youve taken a grudgo
against her, and you want to get rid OF 1t as soon as
possible"
II suppose I have a right to my opinion Beden began
holly. but q wave Of remorse surged over him at sight OF
the other, mans drawn, nervous face.
ANY one would think we had nothing to do but scrap
over a trained nurse" he said lightly. She's all you say,
I haven't a doubt. old man, and II sho pulls caddy
through, I'll sing her praises louder than any of YOU"
They sat IN silence. A burst Of laughter from the
kitchen garden startled them, and Belden started up as II
to check 1t.
Don't stop 'em-Its the servants. Why shouldn't
they laugh?" said Peter quietly. i've. been thinking 1t
all over. If caddy-if-if she doesn't get we'll, Isho doesn't
want a lot of black and all that. It's bad for the children.
And she said the children ~oughtn't to grow up without q
mothcr-think Of that!" i@
II guess that all right" said Belden sadly. Look at
my boy thcre!'
A slender, stoop-shouldered lad slouched by tho vim
dow, his hands In his pockets. an %unlighted cigarette in
his mouth.
.Wcll, we'll, we all have our load!' Peters mood had
changed utterly, to the others establishment. He seemed
gcntler, more thoughtful, controlled beyond belief,
81 don't see why We shouldn't smoke.'' no added, and
they lighted cigars.
.You see, we talked It all over he said, half to HIM
self, 'and she's so reasonable and calm herself. : :
She says Margaret's going to grow up Just Ike her. That's
a comfort, And there's the boy
Suddenly the cigar dropped from his lips to the floor.
"Good God, Belden!' he shouted, II kept thinking
sho'd be here, too! I forgot Oh, what rot! Do you
think I'll stand it?s Do you think III put up with It?
Why didn't Hitchcock know before? II was his business
10 know! i tell you III ruin that man IL it takes every
dollar Two got!'
Belden stared at him heiplessly. Was this Peter, this
red-faced, scowling menace? AS he watched him silently,
the nurse came in from the greenhouse.
Mrs. Moore wants to say goodnight to you, Mr..
Moore, she said, her deep, clear Voice echoing strangely
after the hoarse passion OF Peters rage. II found these
all p~icked-were you going to take them to .her?"
Peter drew n deepnbreath and put out n shaking hand
for the flowers.