Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1913-08-16

II Took BernIee So
from each other, severely isolated In
the corners, as though the room were
too remote and sacred even to sug
gest the cheerful amenities OF social
intercourse. A curious. musty smell
hung in the air. II recalled the past
in which Dominick had figured as her
admirer. The few times that he had
him in this solemn. unaired apartment |
in which the chandelier was lit for the
occasion, and Hannah and Hazel had !
sat In the kitchen, breathless with |
curiosity as to what such call might |
portend. She had been married here.
in the bay-window. under a wedding
bell of white roses. The musty smell
brought it all back, even her sense OF
almost breathless citation, when the
seal was set on her daring schemes.
From beyond the folding doors a
sound, of conversation and smitten
crockery arose. also a strong odor OF
cooking. The family we're already at
lunch, and opening the door Berry
entered in upon the midday meal
which was being partaken Of by her
two sisters, Josh, and Hazefs daugh-
ter, Pearl. a pretty child Of eight.
Neither Of her sisters resembled her
in the least. Hannah was a woman
who looked more than her age, with
a large, calm face, and gentle, near
sighted eyes which blinked at the
world behind a pair Of steel'rimmed
glasses. Her Quartercentury Of school
teaching had not dried or stiffened
her. She was fuller Of the milk of
human kindness, of the ideals and en-
thusiasms OF youth, than either Of
her sisters. All the love Of her kindly,
maternal nature was given to Pearl,
whom she was bringing up carefully
to be what seemed to Hannah best in
| woman.
, Hazel was very pretty and still
young. She had the fresh, even bloom
OF a Californian woman, round.
graceful figure, and glossy brown hair.
rippled and arranged In an elaborate
o. couture as though done by a hair
dresser. She could do this herself as
she could make her own clothes, earn
a fair salary at the milliner's. and
sing to the guitar In a small. piping
voice. Her husband was ravfshed by
her good looks and accomplishments
and thought her the most wonderful
woman in the world. He was a thin
tall. young man with STOPPING shout
ders, a long, lean neck, and an ami
able, insignificant face. But he
seemed to please Hazel. who had mar
ried him when she was nineteen, be
ing haunted by the nightmare thought
that il she did not take what chance!
offered, she might become an old mai(
like Hannah.
Berry sat down next to the child
conscious that under the pleasan
friendliness Of their greetings a vic
lent curiosity as to whether she hat
been to the ball burned in eacl
breast. She had talked over he
chances of going with them, and Hs
ze1, whose taste in all such matter
was excellent, had helped her orde
the dress Now, drawing her plat
toward her and shaking out her mar
kin, she began to eat her lunch, q
once too sore and too perverse to b.
gin the subject. The others endure
their condition of ignorance for som
minutes, and then Hazel. finding tina
to wait was useless. approached tn
vital topic.
We'll. Berry. we've been lookin
| .-1. A. H. r,,a0to ho hon
the morning papers and your nam
don't seem to be down."
Il don't see why 1t should" sal
Berry without looking up. "conside
ing l wasn't there"
You weren't there" calculate
Hannah. They didn't ask your"
IS, That's right" said Berry. breakin
in a piece Of bread. They didn't as
ne me-"
a We'll, I'll be jiggered!" exclaime
be Josh. That's beats the Dutch!"
of 1t didn't believe Mrs. Ryan wou
ty do that" said Hannah, SO panied tn,
To- her generally observant eye took I
IN note of the fact that Pearl was pu
Mt ting her fingers in her plate. YOU
ar as good as her own flesh and bloc
too-her sons wife. It's not Chri
~, tan, and l don't understand It."
he Its tough" said Josh. that's VIII
by 1t is, fought"
De- IF I we're you," said Hazel wi
in spirit, husband or no husband.
he never want to go inside that hou
ma or have any dealings with that GROW
he again. If they were down Cd the
1er knees to me I'd never go near the
ok Just think what 1t would be If JOSH
&C mother thought herself too good
he know me! I'd like to know what
Tar feel about It"