Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
CHAPTER v. (Continued.)

Cartaret's throat. We've who are
fond of him-we must try to make it
up to him, mustn't we? If there is any
way we CAM"
Her intensity embarrassed Chloe.
She felt in it an appeal that she did
not know how to answer.
81 don't believe he is unhappy now"
she ventured "He has moods
"Ah, that is the artistic tempera-
ment," Mrs. Cartaret broke in. They
say that an artist is both happier and
sadder than other people. Things
hurt him more-you know what I
mean?"
ooh, know" Chloe admitted, rath-
er dryly. Perhaps the other felt some
failure of sympathy, for when she
spoke again it was Of drive they
must take.
81 don't want you to be bored" she
said, and such diffidence in one who
had so much to give made Chloe very
worshipful. -
1T is wonderful here. And to be
with you, Mrs. Cartaret-!" she said
earnestly, and felt the jeweled hand on
her shoulder delicate honor as they
went up to the house.
Mrs. Cartaret played to her that
evening and her music seemed to
make a different person of her; or,
rather, to make her that which she
appeared, but so often fell short Of in
speech. Chloe, tears on her cheeks
in the darkened room, felt surging
impulse to kneel beside her and cry
out her trouble: Il have lost love!
Tell me how l can go on without it!"
! But. as the music ceased, Mrs. Car
| taret spoke.
| 81 always think that music sounds
better in the dark-have you noticed
it?' she said, and the doors of Chloe's
secret slammed shut.
The next day the outer conditions
were no less charming, but Chloe's JOY
In them was becoming difficult to main
tain. She hated Alex, never saw or
wished to see him: yet with shame and
anger she had to learn that there was
no peace for her away from where
he was. A homesick cry, II want to
go back!' sprang up in unguarded
moments. Worst of all, she began to
feel fretful irritation at the most
lovely lady of the house. The insistent
demand for her opinion on small or
settled subjects where opinion was
not worth the trouble made her dread
| that at the next earnest, Don't you
Think" she might burst out with some
wild protest Then she took herself
in hand. applying harsh names and
vowing reform.
Toto is a bad girl Billy she ex-
planned as she washed his happy face
after the long days playing. "You
will have to scold her"
This was favorite game. Toto had
long ago declared that if she had to do
all the bathing and dressing of Billy,
he in common fairness must do all the
scolding of them both when they were
naughty. Billy did 1t with uplifted
forefinger and dramatic intensity, in
terrupted by gurgles of laughter, and
the device had averted many a baby
storm. Chloe had only to say, "Scold
yourself, Billy, good and hard" and
Billy was instantly all on the side of
law and order. Tonight. however, he
was inclined to be indulgent.
What did you do, Toto?" he asked
in a comfortable and gossipy whisper.
Il had bad, cross feelings"
Then Toto is tired and must lie
down" This turning on her Of her
own frequent decree made her laugh.
"All right" she said obediently, and
n'aced herself on the broad couch.
They had charming big corner
room, bright with rosy chintz, its case.
ments opening on the garden and the
water. Just to lie looking about 1t,
breathing it's scented purity, was
enough to exercise bad feelings. Come
and lie down with me- she begged.
throwing out her arm. Billy climbed
up beside her, and they were presently
so deep in a story that they did not
hear light step in the hall. Chloe
had come to the final, "And he told his
mother he'd never. never runaway
againaslongashelived with it's appro-
pirate embrace before she was aware
that her hostess. stood at the open
door.
ooh, Mrs. Cartaret!" she apologize
ed, but Mrs. Cartaret would not let her
get up.
81 never knew how to tell stories.'
she said, in her eyes the wistful shad-
ow that Chloe had seen on the bea -
ut takes a special gift-don't you
think sou
Chloe only smiled. She felt good and
happy now, lying in her pleasant room;
lifted above petty irritation. The ap-
pealing grace of the slender figure
dropping forward in the chair beside
her moved her to put out warm hand.
ut is beautiful here she said. You
are so kind, Mrs. Cartaret! You don't
know how we all feel about what you
are doing for Ralston."
Mrs Cartaret's flush made Chloe
fear that she had Numbered. "Ah, that
is--a privilege" she said hurriedly.
, Your brother has great talent" She
began to unfasten the strings Of
package she had brought. as though
to leave the subject: then she paused.
turning on the girl her look of dark
intensity. Life has been hard on
him" she said Rare and fine spirits
need protection: the world is so
rough. One longs to-to-make it
easier. If one can-if it is right. It is
so difficult to know what is--right;
don't you think so? And what you
think right-perhaps others will think
wrong. One doesn't know what to
dol"
-,..- .;11n+ hafnr, Iicn,o OF