Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
ut has done you good here" Mrs.
Jartaret said. and Chloe laughed joy.

lief.
ut has done you good here" Mrs
Cartaret said. and Chloe laughed joy
ously.
II never felt BETTER" she said aloud
but her heart said, "Tomorrow-tomor
row at this time shall be almost
home!"
| 1t was Sunday, day Ralston usually
spent here, but rehearsals had begun
and he was not expected this week
They drove to a pretty stone church
and pleasant people spoke to them
afterward. but Mrs. Cartaret shrank
way from them. She was breathless
with shyness when they reached the
motor.
Il hope you will Ioften stay with
me- she said to Chloe ~ have been
alone so much in my life. And the
more you stay alone, the. harder it is
to face people. don't you Think" And
Chloe, beca,fse size was going home
and was wildly happy, felt touched,
and reproached herself for the half
hearted companionship she had been
giving.
II don't know how l shall get Billy
away she said. you have quite won
him. He, is always saying, Let's go
and find herr !"
The lovely face was lit for mo-
ment; then it darkened. "But you
don't think am trying to win him
away from your she urged. her hand
over Chloe's. : you wouldn't think
that, would yod?"
why, of course not! Why. want
him to love everybody" Chloe could
not make her denial emphatic enough
to satisfy her inner protest. AS if she
wanted her baby's love limited to her.
self! IF he didn't love you, when
you have been so dear to him-why, 1t
wouldn't be Billy"
Mrs. Cartaret was so gratefully
pleased that Chloe had to forgive her.
The week had curiously changed her
from great lady, gracious and aloof,
to poor dear who Numbered so ear
nestly that one must protect and re-
assure her. Chloe did her friendly
best and tried not to be relieved when
they turned in at the gate. Some one
was coming to meet them, rising from
long chair on the veranda.
rs it Ra1ston?" Chloe exclaimed.
Mrs. Cartaret turned with a start;
then Chloe. beside her, felt change
that was like sharp fall of tempera-
ture. She looked from the sleek, fash
ionable young man, coming down the
steps with an air of ownership, to
Mrs. Cartaret's face, and saw that 1t
was stricken white. 1t offered no
greeting. and Chloe read fear there,
the appalled, shadow Of something too
bad to be true. Then there was quiet
lifting, proud or stubborn, of the grace
full body. AS the car stopped Mrs.
Cartaret stepped down with out
stretched hands.
why. Donald" She kissed him,
smiling. murmuring reproaches that
she had not been warned. Then she
turned to Chloe: miss Gage, want
my son to meet you"
1t seemed to Chloe that they met
with shock of enmity. His deep
bow, touched with forefgnness. was
covertly mocking, and hard, uncivil
eyes contradicted the courtesy with
which he helped her down. She stood
by in helpless silence while he ex-
planned that business had brought him
over on a moments notice and that
Georgette had not been able to come.
Il knew that you would welcome
me, dear mother, even without warn
ing" he said. and Chloe, not knowing
why, felt hot desire to strike him.
She turned to slip away, but a squeal
of Joy from the garden checked her.
Billy, arms out, was running to take
his new loves knees into a wide en-
brace. A stream Of conversation came
with him.
They was mover crab and faver
crab and a lii baby crab" he told
her, "and Car'line-"
Mrs. Cartaret very still and COM
posed, had bent down in smiling at
tention, and though the reason Of all
this stifled dreadfulness, still baffled
Chloe, she knew that she must get the
little boy away as quickly as possible
Come, Billy; / want you,' she
urged, and hurried him upstairs. The
sons voice followed: