Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-26
CHAPTER vi. (Continuer.)

ress OF adjustment was visibly going
On behind her handsome brow: one
could see her rearranging the news I'M
til It should present just the fine, rlght
aspect necessary. Mrs. Gage had SUNK
back in her chair, and over her urea
face a look Of peace and utter relief
was stealing; but Chloe stood up ike
one who has drawn sword.
'Oh, horrible, hideous!" The low
voice, breaking from new depths, mace
them start. ooh, mother, this is graft,
. this is highway robbery! on, | might
have seen it coming-others did, She
swrunp her hands. "Her son saw 1T,
and came over to stop it, and he hated
us for a lot of leeches, crawling after
her fortune. And we are-we are
.Chloe!" Mrs. Gage had sprung up
y to put an arm about her, as though sne
spoke in fever, but Chloe stood sim
and unyielding within it. ;,
s mo! It's true. We are gratters,
she cried. I'VE live on others. we
have done ugly things and called them
& fine names-but let's call this mar
riage what it Isl"
dearest"
.sWhat it is! Mrs. Cartaret is a dull.
good woman who has lost her head
! and Ralston is selfish beast sixteen
eighteen years younger than she is
He didn't plan it'll say that, though
Donald Cartaret would never believe
IN. But he took it. That's what Alex
said OF him once-'Lord God. what that
man won't take!' And quarreled with
sSAlex for it," She sobbed without
tears, beating her hands together. !
can't stand it. I'm done with the ram
ily way-the Gage way"
Sabra said nothing; her stiffness
\ was as rigid as an armor. against
which words bounded off. leaving no
mark. Mrs. Gage, troubled, loving,
heard only wild utterances OF dellrlum.
my little girl, what do you mean?
what can you do?" she urged.
Chloe knew at last what she could
do. 49,.
Earn my living" she cried. Earn
eyerything have and wear and DO!
Oh. I've been worse than anyone. for
I I knew-Pve seen us as we were.
have been a coward and shlrk.
Uncle Harry offered me position, ana
II laughed, and told him wasn't tnat
kind I'd rather sponge! I'm going
Ito him now. this minute. II ne wont
taxed me, I'll go from place to place
till home one does. Oh, don't feel
clead- II don't feel clean"
81 She ran out of the room, up to, her
own sanctuary, but she would mot
sbrea down. She had a task to 90
now this moment, and she must be NJ
for when she came down. ten min
nj es later. Sabra sat unmoved, little
.nal4 but still finely impervious, and
her Imdther stood as she had been LEFT,
In stricken bewildermen. but Chloe
did not see them, or Billy, nursing his
Kitten on the steps. or her father tow
erfng over the traffic in his frock
coat,-the top hat in his hand.
Uncle Harry spared her question or
comment Perhaps his shy. ayerted
800 saw more than it seemed to, for
a Chloe's abrupt, II want work,
~ Harry--anythlng- any kind
yn,,s said once, he interposed a dry:
"All right, Chloe-take on your coat,
that brought bel. down to more nor
NAL level.
.I've kept your job for you-thought
Won might be along" he added, as ne
shu6led over to counter piled Win
blue print plans.
..Now, today?" Chloe exclaimed.
.Why not? Aren't you ready
III She threw of coat and hat. ION. so
raadv! Only it seemed too good to be
fn,elv abe said with a long breath OF
relief.
swell, Miss Galbraith here has been
Aoinx your work and hers too; sne IS
most dead, he explained:
The, ebbing storm in Chloe made. II
hard for her TO listen to directions,
but she bent forward fierceiy to unoer,
standing. and If she sometimes asked
~ -same question twice, Uncle Harry
aid not appear to notice. The WORK
5nr world about her gradually took the
eirl into it's ordered steadlness. Inc
Glaar! clean, empty Office with It's
G1rnieht lines and straight purposes
m. the cool relief of mathematics
after turgid poetry. The plans OF
houses and apartments needed sorting
nd as she worked over them they
3oOk on personality to Chloe. so
MANY homes, waiting for their his
tories! When young couple came IN
vanting five rooms and a bath IN a
nee neighborhood, she threw herself
into the quest with an ardor that sent
them of full Of hope and addresses.
Then she discovered that Uncle Harry
was looking on with the amused smile
that always made her aware OF his
great affection.
- .Yes-all. right, Chloe he drawied.
"Fine Only just don't let them think
vou,re going to live with 'em, too. You
said we could use the alcove for an
extra bedroom" And SO Chloe's
Young laugh was ringing out in the
hare room, not two hours after she had
come there crushed with shame.
Uncle Harry kept her till after clos
ing time, and then went home togeth-
~ In the dusk, her hand under MS
arm. Chloe could speak.
s.ss--sou were there, last night she
said. You saw it fail
-sWell, I've been to worse plays
once or twice. was the mild answer.
4 thought some of it was pretty good
for Rawly. | almost clapped once;
Chloe shudderede. "Oh. it was hor'
rible!r - 90,