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

I Z
where they had left him. He had an idea OF showing
her the house, stating soine of the facts OF Clarice's sud-
den and terrible need of her. indicating that In a family
20 Jared from the very foundations 1t would BIO wiser
20 look TO him than to the bcwidered master OF the es-
Establishment: but this was not necessary. Evidently, sho
persisted in dispensing with his services.
HIS hand slipped to his vest pocket. but he replaced
the cigar uncertainty: 1t seemed not quite the thing to
smoke. Ought he to go to Peter? In his minds eye he saw
the poor fellow haunting the landing by Caddy's door: ho
had an Idea that in some way he kept things quiet by
doing this. And how could one be sure that the troubled
creature wanted company?
There was a violent ring at the bell, a Earring of
wheels on the asphalt. Tho door flew open, and tho pref
test little woman imaginable. all fluffy ends and scarlet
flowers and orrfs scent. rushed toward him.
''oh. VIII, Oh, Iwill!' she ga,ped, isn't 1T terrible?
Where is Peter? Can 1 see her? oh. WIFI"
Instinctiyely. he took her in his arms-one always did
shoulder and cried a little, while he patted her and muir
INJURED, There, there.'
She was 80 manifestly coHforted, and 1t was so pleas
ant to comfort her-thls was what 4 woman should be.
He felt a renewed sense of capacity, of readiness for even
the most terrible emergency. He led her gently to tho
great cushioned window seat and listened sympathetically
to her excited babblings.
ut will kill Peter-it will kill him. min a great
m-many ways. you know. VIII. Peter isn't $3.50 c-calm as
Caddy. He is JUST bound up with her. Suppose oh,
WIFI"
Don't cry. Sue. dear. dont!" he said. soothingly. "she
has a good chance-a fine chance. reauy. These things
are mostly resisting power. you know, and grit. and think
what a lot of grit Caddys got!'
'oh, ] know. 1 know! Don't you know when the baby
died-that first baby-and s-she was so weak she could
hardly speak? Never mind. P-Peter. we'll have anotherl
Oh. dear, she was so bl-plucky, VIII! And now to
think
"Caddy's a brick. She always was
She sat up. not wholly withdrawing from his arm.
and patted her eyes breathing brokenly. Little gusts Of
orris noated towardshim.
Where are the children7" she asked. almost herself
now.
They're here-Peter wants them one minute and sends
them away the next, 1 should send them to grand
mothers, but he won't hear of It,"
A light step sounded on the stair. The nurse appeared
on the lower landing. She was dressed in cool blue cling
nam; tho straps Of her white apron marked the firm. broad
lines of her bust and shoulder.
rs this Mrs. Wylie?" she said in her clear, assured
voice. Mrs. Moore would like to see her a moment. Will
you come with me?"
81 will come directly and Sue gathered together her
gloves and handbag.
"shes very good slooking-t's q pity her hair-is SO
gray she breathed in his ear. AS the two women stood
together a moment on the landing. he realized. not for
HsNS AHSs +Sh'St etiuS H0uoE VI oo 81 ApS ~ Sll0I. ooS w
had never thought her sallow before.
Peter came in by the greenhouse door. walking slowly.
his hands behind his back. Flo looked old for the first
time In his jolly, persistently boyish life.
Those chysanthemums are all drying up" he COM
planned, %fretfully: mot one Of the blamed servants has
done a thing since-sinceO Lord, VIII. what shall we be
doing this time tomorrow? Where are the children?
Where's Miss Strong? There's a woman for you! Caddy
took to her directly, She's there now. She's talking to
her about the children. oh, my God!"
Belden grasped his hand, and they walked silently up
and down the hall.
.Aunt Lucia's coming tonight" Peter resumed nervous
~. "she will drive me mad. Take care Of her, will you2
If I could have choked her oft-but when you think she
was just like a mother to Cad all these years, what can
You do? She's got a right. You'd think she'd have got
some sense from living with Cad so long. I told Henry to
go for her-and there they are" he added, as the cart
drew up before the open door.
Relden went slowly down tho steps; no detested Aunt
Lucia. and clarice had always stood between them.
i. i. 4 i. 4. Il. II. j.
How do you dog" he began, assisting her from the
high seat. Her long Grape veil caught in the wheel. and
tho numberless black and floating ends Of her costume
wound themselves about him MS he bent down to olsen
tangle her.
"oh, Wilmot, this is a terrible day for US all, is 1t not2
BE careful. of the hem of that veil, please. When I kissed
Clarice good-bye last Christmas I little thought what a
goodbye 1t was! Is she conscious? You have ymuddled
the boa, I think; but never mind. Can l see. her once
nore?'
'"For heavens sake, Aunt Lucia, anybody would thinl,
Caddy was In her grave! She's a long way from it yet,
thank God! OF course, she's conscious, and spunky as
the-as ever. I don't think you really needed to-"
my dear Wilmot. ! prepared clarice for her con-
hrmation; 1 dressed her for her wedding, and I was hero
when tho children were born. II you think that I would
fall her In this crisis, you have a very poor idea. of my
character. but then, l am perfectly aware that. you al
ways had. oh, there Is Pcter!l My poor Petcr!" she rushed
toward him, and Belden smiled sardonicnlly as his brother
in-law planted a pcrfunctory kiss on her chin.
This may comfort you, Peter, as 1T has me SO often
in such circumstances. So short. so true. SO helpful. 'Un-