Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-25

down. There was
Il neither time nor
couldn't And so, of course. she wouldn't.
She wouldn't be allowed to-
That the daily getting up was becoming
4 tragedy to her, mere movement an eff
fort of conscious will. had nothing to do
with IT. The household could not get
along without ..er; or. if they could, what
4 dreadful thing to let actually happeui
Oh. no. her duty was plain, her orders
infallible. and-consequently, .her sinterpre-
alton also.
Eddie was calling Ter now in his weak.
fretful voice, Mamma! mamma
Yes, it was true that Eddie was fifteen;
,ut he had always been delicate and
sensitive. She sympathized tenderly with
him. She felt her own responsibility and
special debt to him. His clinging depend
ence was very sweet to her. And he was
Ter baby,
Now his whining, Mamma mamma" set
vibrating in her chords Of pity deeper
than she herself analyZed.
Yes, dear. yes. I'm coming" Her
goice low and quiet, soothed and sus-
tanned like steady hand. There was
something comforting about her mere
personality she put him together for
the day. At the last she stopped him
for a final survey. II his tie were crook
ed, or his hair-parting, some one would
make an allusion to his age, and then
some one else. She caught him to her.
and he answered rapturously. Eddie
wasn't afraid of being mammals boy
even If Howard had repudiated "baby~
ing with skirts.
AS they went down together. her white
skin, that did not color like others. had
the clear brilliance of marble.
A barely perceptible shadow fell when
she perceived Howard already in the din
ing room, and. through the window. scorn-
fully forecasting the weather for his
prospective walk to the office The square
breadth of shoulder and the something ag-
gressive in the poise Of head OF this
great manson of hers always stirred in
Agnes Twyman both the woman and the
mother. At her eager pleasantness he
merely turned in silence to his place. And
her induced brightness dimmed a little
more.
Mrs. Twyman was lovely. People said
she was the best woman they had ever
known. Her voice was not light, 1t was
hushed. Her movements. very quicH,
were noiseless; there was no rustic of
skirts. no sound of football. Her whole
personality was subdued. gentle. The
cheerful serenity of her childlike face.
round, with its clear colorless skin, was
habitual. But the great soft dark eyes
were humid; you were never sure wheth-
er she was about to smile or cry.
Now, as they waited. Mr.. Twyman's
heavy tread sounded on the stair. How
ard sat immersed. Eddie 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 were already in the lower
hallway before the fleet tap-tap-tap Of
Isobers French heels started after. But
the girl at her fathers elbow at the
door, and she slipped behind him. un-
remarked. to her chair, with a little nod
tC Ter mother.
Agnes response was fractional and pre-
occupied. She sat waiting, alert, to
catch her husbands eye. with bright
look and word ready to fash out at
the signal.
But Roger Twyman looked at no one.
Into the silence and suspense. not un-
suggestive of the arena, he entered-kinS
of beasts.
AS he drew out his chair, Mrs. Twyman
detected his missing napkin. 1t was al
ways something for Roger that was
wrong. II there was one seed in the
preserves. he was sure to find 1t. Now
she forestalIed even discovery 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 Ioitered by
her husbands chair. Roger spread out
the paper. She laid light touch on his
shoulder-it was as II she put out fine an
tennae. His coat seemed to creep from
under her finger tips. So, since he did
not, she kissed him. She ran back and
kissed him again. 1t was not only as.
serton. Poor Roger. he let himself be so
unhappy, Roger saw her go out OF the
corner Of his eye.
The maid, who had held back the steak
TO keep II hot, now was slow bringing It,
Mrs. Twyman kept glancing toward the
pantry. toward her husband. His atten-
tion called to the matter. he began to
drum the table.
Maggie seems to be delayed" she fall
tered III you will just
He responded to his cue. IF I? If you.'
lie spluttered like bad match whose
head flies off when you try to strike 1t.
Cant YOU save me the burden Of your
end of the business, my dear? Can't you
ever learn TO consider my timer?
For gripping moment she sat. and
no one breathed. Then, Poor boy"' soft.
ly. Worried again, 1 know" 1t was as
If she laid cool, saft palm on the fever
OF his spirit. Her gentle dark eyes melt
ed with sympathy and appeal.
But that seemed his final irritation. He
shook himself: the muscles of his mouth
drew up. ''Oh, Lord
Howard, who had been apparently OBJ.
livious. choked. Grace before meat" he
commented, nonchalantly.
To Agnes desperate look around Isobe
responded with some amiable idiocy. Iso
bel hated discomfort worse than anything
else.
Then-oh-a deep breath.-Maggit
brought in the steax
Mrs. Twyman, the light quite gone from
her face, carved hastily. and sent the