The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1916-09-01


wrapped up in his sons succeeding.
He isn't vulgar in his Boosting, | un-
derstand; he doesn't talk a great deal
about his-his actual money. No. his
Dragging usually seemed to be about
his family and the greatness Of this
city"
Greatness Of this city" Mr.. Yer
trees echoed, with dull bitterness. Its
nothing but 4 coal hole. OF course
Sheridan says it's great"
Mrs. Vertress seemed unaware -
this outburst. II believe" she began,
timidly. "he doesn't boast of-that is,
l understand he has never seemed 30
interested in the-the other one"
Her husbands face was dark, but at
that . heavier shadow fell upon 1t; he
looked more haggard than before.
The other one" 10 repeated, avert
Ing his eyes. You mean-you mean
the third son-the me that was here
this EVENING"?
Yes. the-the youngest" she re-
turned, her voice 90 feeble It was al
most a whisper.
And then neither of them spoke for
several minutes. Nor did either look
at the other during that silence.
At last Mr.. Vertrees contrived to
cough. but not convincingly. what
ah-what was it Mary said about
him this afternoon? l didn't ah-hap-
pen to catch it."
"She-she didn't say much. All she
said was this: Hes the most wistful
creature I've ever known"
"Well?'
THAT wal all. He is wistful-look-
ing; and SO fragile. II hadn't known
about him I'd have thought he had
quite an interesting face"
III you hadn't known about hlm'1
known what?'
"Oh, nothing, Of course" she said,
hurriedIy. Nothing definite, that Is.
Mary said decidedly, long ago, that
he's not at all insane, ~ We Thought
at first. It's only-well. Of course It il
odd, their attitude about him. I sup
pose it's some nervous trouble that
makes him-perhaps Z little queer at
times, SO that he can't apply himself
to anything-or perhaps does odd
things. But, after all, Of course, ~
only have an impression absut It We
don't know-that is, positively. T."
She paused, then went on: II didn't
know just how to ask-hat isl
didn't mention 1t to Mary. / didn't
Il" The poor lady neundered piti-
fully, concluding with a humble. go
soon a~fter-after the-the shosk."
II don't think I've caught more than
q glimpse Of him." said Nj. Vertrses.
II wouldn't know him II saw him.
but your impression of him is" He
broke or suddenly. sprnging 70 his
feet In agitation. I can't imagine
her-oh no." he gaspcd. And he began
to pace the door. "A half-witted cpl
lepticv'
mo. no." she cried. "He may be ALI
right. We"
"Oh, It's horrible! I can't" He
threw himself back into his chair
again. sweeping his hands across his
face, then letting them fall Imply at
his sides.
Mrs. vertrees was tremulous. ~You
musa't give way So" ~ seid. Inspired
Tor once almost to direct diSceuRse.
Whatever Mary might think Of doing,
It wouldn't be on her M acconnt; It
would be on ours. But II Ne Should
should consider II. that wouldn't Be on
n own account. It isn't because We
think OF ourselves"
"Oh God, no." he groancd. mot for
us! We can 60 to the poorhouse, but
Mary can't be q st~enographer!"
Signing, Mrs. vertrees resumed her
obllqueness. "Of course" she MUIR
INJURED, 1T all seems very premature.
speculating about such things, but
had a queer sort Of feeling that she
seemed quite interested In this" She
had almost said in this one" hut
coecksd herself. "In this young 0
It's naturai. 0e course; she 10 xlwnys
% strong and we'll. md he h-he esnas
; be. that is-rathss appealing 3 -