Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-26

before But Mrs Twyman had looked around
and over it, had shut her eyes and turned her
4 back. Break down? She couldn't break down.
There was neither time nor money for it. She
couldn't And so, of course, she wouldn't She wouldn't
be allowed to-
That the daily getting up was become tragedy to
her, mere movement effort of conscious Will, had
nothing to do with it. The household could not get
along without her. or, if they could, what dreadful
thing to let actually happenl Oh, no, her duty was
plain her orders nfabe, and-consequenty, her inter
probation also
Mama mama
Yes it was true that Eddie was fifteen; but he had
always been delicate and sensitive She syinpathized
tenderly with him She felt her responsibility and
special debt to him His clngng dependence very
sweet to her. And he was her baby
Now his whining Mama mama set vibrating in
her chords of pity deeper than she herself analyzed.
eyes dear yes, I'm coming" Her voice. low and
quiet soohed and sustained like steady hand There
she put him together for the day AT the last she
stopped him for final survey II his tie were crooked
his harparting, one would make an ausion to
his age and then else. She caught him to her.
and he answered rapturously Eddie wasn't afraid of
being mama's boy" even If Howard had repudiated
"babying" with skirts.
As they went down together, her white skin, that did
color like Others had the clear briance of marble.
barely perceptible shadow fell when she perceived
Howard already in the diningroo and through the
window scornfuly forecastng the weather for his
pective walk to the office. The square breadth of
shoulder and the something aggressive in the poise of
head of this great manson of hers always stirred
in Agnes Twynan both the woman and the mother.
At her eager pleasantness he merely turned in silence
to his place. And her induced brightness dmmed
little more
Mrs. Twyman was lovely People said she was the
best woman they had ever known. Her voice was not
light, it hushed Her movements, very quick,
noiseless; there rustic of skirts, sound of
football Her whole personality Subdued, gentle.
The cheerful serenity of her chdlke face round with
its clear cooress skin habtual But the great soft
dark eyes humid you sure whether she
about to smile cry
Now, as they waited Mr.. Twymans heavy tread
,1,I1 II.,v v,-I a-ra4
edged toward his mother on his seat Mrs. Twyman,
her very pulse it seemed suspended watched the door
for the first sight of the coming face.
His footsteps already in the lower hallway be-
fore the fleet taptapap of sobes French heels started
after But the girl was at her fathers elbow at the
door, and she slipped behind him. unremarked, to her
chair, with little nod to her mother.
Agnes response was fractional and preoccuped. She
sat waiting alert to catch her husbands eve with
bright look and word ready to fash out at the signal
But Roger Twyman looked at Into the silence
and suspense not unsuggeve of the arena, he entered
king of beasts.
As he drew out his chair, Mrs Twyman detected his
missing napkin It was always something for Roger
he to find it. Now she forestalled dis
covery by her swift silent service.
Oh mother let Maggie" Howard began.
It's easier to do things myself" she confessed
The errand done she still loitered by her husbands
chair. Roger spread out the paper. She laid light
touch on his shouder-t was as if she put out fine
antenne His coat seemed to creep from Under her
fnger-tps. So, since he did not she kissed him. She
back and kissed him again 1t not only
saw her go out OF the corner OF his eye.
The maid who had held back the steak to keep it hot
slow bringing it. Mrs. Twyman kept glancng
toward the pantry toward her husband. His attention
called to the matter, he began to drum the table.
Maggie seems to be delayed" she faltered :" If you
He responded to his cue "IfI If you!" he splut-
tered like bad match whose head flies off when you
try to strike it. Can't you the burden of your
end of the business my dear? Can't you learn
consider my time?"
For gripping moment she sat, and no one breathed
1t was she laid COOL soft palm on the fever of his
spirit Her gentle dark eyes melted with sympathy and
appeal.
self; the muscles of his mouth drew up. "Oh lord!"
Howard, who had been apparently oblivous, choked.
"Grace before meat" he commented, nonchalantly.
To Agnes's desperate look around Isobel responded
with some amable idocy. Isobel hated discomfort
worse than anything else.
Then-oh-a deep breath maggie brought in the
steak.
Mrs Twynan the light quite gone from her face
carved hastily and sent the tenderlon at once to the
ton Eddie would have nothing but hot cakes, soaked
in srup, which sweet and washed down by coffee
which required no chewing,
Howard, vigorously attacking his end piece, asked
pleasantly Mother, did father ever do the carving
and send the tenderlon to you?"
His father motionless behind his paper.
His mother glanced at him anXously. One has been
warned of the Englishnan when he grows polite and
the Frenchman when he laughs and-the American
when he jokes
"Oh yes, Indeed" she assured him now, anxiousy,
yet with certain modest pride for both her husband
and herself But would rather give it to him, and
have always saved him everything possible"
see" Howard agreed lsobel, frownng, tried to
catch his attention Too bad isn't it he mused and
cooked glimmerng eye at her
Mr. Iwyman cracked his paper together.
At the same instant Agnes was supplying Eddes
plate.
Great food to make man Of" his father commented,
speaking for the first time decatey changing the sub
ect and beginning to attend to his tender cut his
original hurry apparently forgotten
Mrs, Twyman looked up quickly; so did Eddie
looked at his father at his mother then with timorous
assurance hurried
But father Howard answered sweetly and his voice
fell abeyant air you must remember that Eddie
isn't a man Eddies nothing but a child yet"
1t exactly her usual argument and tone that it
took Mrs Twyman moment to understand, to stiffen,
to sense the smile Howard's lowered face They
were always Jumping Eddie, and rousing something
fierce in her. Her babyl Her arms hovered him.
Howard" she protested though even so her touch
was velvet. Eddie will develop Give him time"