The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-09-02
Copyright. 1918, by ". Werner

NSOPSAASHA 4S1os w W. WeFISE.J
For two weeks the Merton family
had lived in an excessively clean. po-
lite atmosphere. Instead Of changing
to a shabby but comfortable smoking
jacket when he came home from the
Office at night. Rita's father changed
to the stiff discomfort Of a clean col
lar. Her mother with less grumb-
ling but as much secret regret kept
her hair primped and fixed herself
UP as much for breakfast as she was
accustomed to for dinner.
Professor Rayley. who was visiting
the Ellises across the street. had q
habit Of dropping in at the most in
convenient times. and Rita had i'm
that in his eastern home Professor
Rayley. who held the chair Of mathe-
mates at a big college, was used to
people and a menage that was lust
So" Rita had met him when she went
east to visit an aunt. It happened
that he and Tom Ellis had been class
mates years ago. Professor Rayley
was nearer forty than thirty. Soon
after Rita returned home. he came
out to visit his till then neglected
friend. And the Mertons. Elltses and
the whole town knew without any
guesswork that Rita was the object.
Rita herself professed entire uncon-
Germ as to the object Of his visit, but
she was solicitoue that the family
should appear before him in the best
possible light.
Considering that Rita is twenty
seven and has before cared a
red cent who knew u vulgar ways.
this Is SUFFICIENT evidence to any one
with a grain Of grumption.'' said Bert,
her youngest brother. "And I wish to
goodness shat they'd get it settled. I
am not going to watch my grammar
and polish my shoes much longer"
Rita's mother hastily hushed him.
They were in the living room where
Mrs. Merton was trying to appear in
terested in a classical but uninterest-
ing magazine when her brain yearn-
ingly asked for a certain thrilling
novel.
Il suppose he'll be here for supper
grumbled Ed, who came in just then.
Dinner" his mother hastily cor
rected with an apprehensive glance AT
the piazza where Rita and the pro-
fessor were discussing Montaigne. BE
careful, boys. You don't want to hurt
Rita's feelings. and hell only be in
town another day"
"And you bet I'm darned glad" said
Bert. But nevertheless he lowered
his voice to a cautious whisper. 1t
was not often that Rita asked the
family to make sacrifices. "say.
"Don't call me ma" irritably.
"Say mother Rita
We'll. mother" with asperity, I'm
doggoned tired Of drinking coffee at
night out of those Haviland peanut
shells. Why can't We have decent
sized cups"
Because the larger cups are too
thick for use" she explained patient
ly. when we have company. And
it's for So short a time" pleadingly.
It'll he for the rest Of our lives If
Rita marries him." Ed cut in grump-
ishly. ''There'll Y be any pleasure
visiting Rita and having them here.
Why can't Rita take Of our own
kind?"
Rita's mother sighed. She too had
thought of that. But she summoned a
smile instantly. Rita and Professor
Rayley were coming in. Presently
she went. into the kitchen to prepare
dinner. and Rita followed to arrange
the table. leaving. the boys to enter
tain the professor. Rita was unusual
~ silent as she got out the zfrail.
dainty Haviland that the boys de-
tested. Her eyes. violet and black
fringed. held a soft but distracted
light. Her mother sighed. Rita was
the only daughter. 1t would be hard
to have her marry and go away.
Dinner was a sociable affair. in spite
Of the peanut SHELF cups and salad
and wafer flummeries that the boys
detested. Professor Rayley. though