The Morning standard. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1910-191?, 1910-10-30
QTJHE EXPEDIENT
By William Chester Estabrook


The dust lay In Fuckers from n recent rain. Mingled
country odors filed the nr
The physician passed the general that bad be-
longed to Joseph Rittcnhouse. dc looked in and
waved friendly greeting to Joey Rittenhouse, the
dead Josephs and the stores present proprietor.
Joey was wearing a blue serge coat and pair of
white duck trousers Tho combination to
the village At sight Of the physicians keen eyes
narrowed. He went on down the street to small
house that reached up like brown hand to the bend
Ing oaks bracelet of green dooryard eDcircled 1t
Its gate open for the convenience OF those who
passed daily through 1t, not from shIftessness Tho
front room was filed with the enuous dusk, but tho
one beyond lit by big lamp that lowered like
yellow bulb Beside 1t worked She
little sandy thing, between fifty and sixty, In rough
skirt and green flannel waist. The pins thrust into
the breast of 1t were like an insignia. She had tape
about her neck.
Good evening Electra" the physician called from
The door step.
why It's you Is it. doctor?' she exclaimed. "Come
hght In 1 got my lap full of stun, won't get up
Z you'll my Sit down there in
)appy's chair"
With her foot also, drew toward her of those
neumatc forms which women ht their gowns
nd began to drape the classic Powered silk folds
81 spose you don't recognize the lady, do you?" she
suggested with her crnklinG smile.
Or, Riohel stretched his old legs out before him and,
tipping his head qulzzcally. regarded the graceful
dgurc
nm frpid / bo od n,IfL
amused look.
IT'S Mrs PercyGeld"
els it. indcedf'
Electra McCullum gave the headlcss form nm en-
phatic pat and stuck tentative pin in here and there
cts the image of her It's her 10 the last fraction
of a curve"
MY acquaintance with Mrs Percyhed is not intI-
mote." the old physician gravely observed.
Miss McCulum's lips set thinly. Her faded blue
yes twinkled beneath their sandy brows
Milne is" she said succnctly
DR. Riche looked over at her ouestionIngly His
tone careless.
Just how much do you happen TO know about her.
GlectraT" he inquired
She bit off the end of her thread and suspending 1t
and her needle in the air regarded him with eyes as
keen his own.
al know she's the prettiest woman that ever came
to this town"
"Umph" His fingers mussed the fringe OF her
chenille table "Prctller than Minnie Heston.
tor instance3"
"Prettler. according to the ordinary mans idea of
beauty. painter n sculptor would choose Min"
81 not thinking OF the painter or the sculptor"
he mused,
"No," said she quickly, you was thinking of Joey
Rlttcnbouse."
little silence fell. She broke it by 0inglng sud-
len sharp question at him
What is 1t that Nature puts In some women that
she don't put in others? It's not good looks
tense, the Lord knows But 1t makes all the differ
nee"
He shook bis head ~ think understand what you
ucan, Electra" he said slowly.
DR.. Richel's Activity.
With quite unnecessary vehemcnce she whirled the
,e0dlcss figure about
smile tueged at the corners of the physIcians
Yes.
Tell me what else you know about Mrs Percy
ledf"
With half eye, She's not the kind 10 make her
living. and then there's those two cbldren-and
uch chldrenl The stutsmans won't keep her for.
fYer, even II she Is related to them. They've made
rp their mind to marry her OF and she's made up
ier mind to be married oG-and married she'll he
Tou'l SEQ"
She swung the figure about again with a clattcrinp
" iron rollers She touched the dowered folds sig
aihcanty
"You know what this dress is for don't your
They haven't gone as far as that have tbey7, bs
Easped.
She laughed. Her laughter bad fresh clear
Sound.
'Taint the wedding dress. The stutsmans are 90
ing to give a big party FOR her. lawn fete whore
everybody dresses In fancy dress Not masked vou
understand; just fancy costumes She's going TO no
Dresden shepberdess," She paused In the rhytbmic
swing OF the needle and looked at him with
eyes She'll land her lamb. all rghtw
Another silence fell. SIences were common no
ltwcen tL-in the distinct Observation-Disclosures NJ
Vths one that made 1t unusual.