The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-12-24

Horny, hastily, that she is content.
Pen cares-as he used-I'm absolutely
sure
81. too" Trudell agreed Il meant,
however, to ask whether she continued
the same" His chill eyes and the
Remsen look battled for an instant;
but the single purpose of the man car
ricd conviction, and Horny answered.
though coldly.
II thought that one had but to see
her to know that Sue
Trudell shifted impatiently. But l
haven't seen her If | had, there'd
have been no need of asking you this.
hate this going to week-ends. like
toy choose my own dinner-and COM
panion; and abhor gambling at
breakfast. And like extra-long
sheets. And | dislike babies without
hair and teeth. l go about very little.
I'm pig and unrepentant. If it were
not that / contracted, long ago, the
habit of friendship for Pen l wouldn't
mix in this condemned affair. !.
But | think we have eliminated any
question of-er-two unpleasant possi-
bilities." He got up, his suave, indif-
ferent self again, and took himself off
abruptly And Horny believed that two
unpleasant possibilities tGere elimina-
ted until, at luncheon, Trudell came
up, allowed himself to be induced to
make third. and, before the cheese
and barbecue, had allowed himself to
be badgered into going out with them
for the night-at last
But Mrs. Bond-an unexpected
guest may upset something she has
On He went through the usual
protests so genuinely that Horny was
moved to admiration. He kept his nom
committal smile throughout Pens urg-
ings-he couldn't let himself be out
played by TrudeIl; but inwardly he
was divided between respect for Tru-
dell's persistence in a friends cause
and desire to punch his head for the
implied doubt of Sue. AS to Sue her.
self-she had but to be herself, as al
ways.
Billy Trudell saw more. He went
to his room to get into lounging-
jacket preparatory to comfortable
mans hour before bed and. returning,
was stopped, at the turn Of the CORR
dor. by the coming in from the nur-
sery wing of Penny and Sue. Pens
arm was about her, they were speaking
softly; Trudell felt barred, on this
visit, at least, from joining them in
the intimacy of that moment.
You won't stay up very late, will
you, dear?" he heard her ask
"No-one cigar Pen promised. Be.
fore Billy Trudell could retreat she
turned in her husbands hold, put up
: her bare white arms, and drew his
head down.
''Dear"-her voice was wistful ca
ress-"s ometimes-if it were not that
, this is better for the babel could
wish that we were back to the Granny
little apartment we began in, and
/ cooking-no servants about-and moi
, so many coming I had you more
there Her bright head dropped te
. Pens shoulder and he gathered hel
close, but said not word Trudell
!. lost to decency, waited and wondered
} at him
"Amn't / a silly?" Sues half-laugf
begged to be contradicted People
can't always and forever live just tt
themselves, / know. But l don't seen
to help, as | used. and we never have
/ time to talk-how things are going;
/ and you look SO tired. dear. Do ash
too much of your"
!, Yoil--' Pen began, and though b,
f said no more, the word was eloquent
i Sue spoke very softly after minute
Just this once tell me that I-mak,
: you happy. Do II"
, Yes" Just one word again, quicl
and tense. Then. after pause: al
be better after little, dear. Business
4 always muddled at the years end
E y know. I'm bit tagged
t maybe
81 know, know" She stoppe,
i his half-apology quickly. "Only-tel
! me you're tired, sometimes. Let m
d pet you and coddle you and fuss owe
q you the way-we-used-" TIL
e words trembled off to a quaver tina
i she turned into laugh. and she LITE
n her head with determined cheeriness
a "Cause you're the first, after all-spit
\ Of dozen babies"
|. Sweetheart-you poor little girl!
Pens arms caught her at that, dre'
n her back to the window-seat and hel
Il her there against his shoulder in tn
n old way SUEDE neglect you? Al
It | changed to your Heaven knows
Sue, am making you unhappy"
n Why. my precious boy-I unhal
d pyi" Womanlike, she disclaimed
l. while her very infection joyed in tn
assurance his tenderness gave he
le You poor. bothered, tired old hone
h --" With mothering Groom sh
drew away to take him close Bill
e. Trudell saw Pens masterful head e
Of down on the white shoulder wearil
e. and lie close to the sweet throat viii
e. sne whispered; and Billy Trudell fe
mighty shame and a tweaking lon
id illness, and averted his face and crep
~ stealthily, back to his room
He emerged, after due time, with a
elaborate stumble, and descended
Of take the lead in an hour OF good-fe
Id lowship--cordial, kindly, vastly exp
st rienced, alkative-altogethe anoth
at Trndell than Horny had guessed exits
IN ed. He went to rest vastly cheere
n Trudell seemed entirely at ease-Pe
ne had been himself. There was nothir
ly askew, after all.
M Merely to be treasured, he a
preached the pink and pleasant Tr
is- dell next morning on the hearth-rl
= with tentative "Well?"
en- Sure enough" said Trudell BRISK
ny I'D quite forgotten. Suppose we s;
the club--to-morrow-a three" The
- eyes met; and Horny saw that the