Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-11-21

mood. She paused to lean on the iron
fence, forgetting her errand.
You didn't bother about little sal
aries she admitted. That's why
we have been SO poor, Of course. But
lyou chose right-oh, there isn't any
question about that" Her eyes dim
med "1ll try, my DEAR she prom
Used
well, Chloe-burning q little in
cense at the family shrine?" asked a
dry voice.
"Oh, Uncle Harry" Chloe had turn
ed afectionately to small, middle
aged gentleman, whose big, white head
was set SO close to his stubby over
coat that. he suggested love bird,
and who gave her a shy, limp hand as
he paused. II was just going to you.
Sabra sent you these papers,"
"Oh, thank you Kind Of her to re-
member it, with all she's got on her
mind" He seemed to mean just what
he said, quite simply "Sabra's pretty
busy with the unborn generation" he
went on, his mild face dropped away
from her, SO that he spoke up one
cheek. "She has fine platform pres
ence, hear. Great gift, that Your
father spent a lot of time on plat.
forms, but he just got up there any.
how, so. as to be heard. Saw your
mother yesterday. l think she grows
taller every year--shes about seven
feet now. Remarkable woman, Chloe"
isn't she!" Chloe spoke impulsive.
ly, still moved by that brave girding
up to new struggle. "She's too fine
Uncle Harry; she does too much for
others
YES" he assented She tells me
she wants to get a studio for Ralston
to work in, away from Billy. Says
Billy's no respecter Of ideas. Spoiled
a fine emotional scene the other day
bumped his head and reared Awful.
ly hard on Ralston."
f! Chloe had to laugh. well it is"
she insisted
yes. Ralstons never had a real
chance, it seems. Conditions never
seem exactly right. When my Alex
wants 4 chance to work out anything,
he has to wait until Saturday night.
when he gets home from the Office fif-
teen minutes earlier. He's got up
rather clever invention, something
to do with electricity don't know.
But it goes. He can't be a real genius,
though; he'll work anywhere
At the mention of Alex, Chloe had
visibly stiffened. HE isn't nervous
like Ralston," she said after a pause.
Yes. / guess Harvard made Raj
ston nervous. Alex was shining up
electric light poles about that time:
| supposed that steadied his nervous or
ganizaticn. Let's see, who put Raj
ston through college-old Miss Bow
ditch? And the Mortons educated
Sabra. And you've all had Europe
and violin lessons and the Grand Can
yon Of the Colorado" He sighed
aloud. II ought to have died, that's
what. Great mistake to live on and
support your family. My children
don't get Harvard and Bryn Mawr and
Europe, I can tell you. They Just
work, poor little devils"
Chloe laughed again. ''But YOU
would have to have died famous. 1t is
because we are Serene Cages chill.
dren that people have been glad to do
things for u.s."
"Oh, yes he admitted: but they
mightn't have known just how glad
they were without your mother. She's
a wonder, that woman. Queer" he
added, looking thoughtfully up at the
statue; I'VE all supposed Reno was
crazy. l spent twenty years explain
ing to people that he was only a step
brother, no blood connection. Then I
spent the next twenty trying to make
em believe he was just like a real
brother-close tie-devoted from child.
hood. Most of my best deals have gone
through because my mother married
his father. That's the way things 60"
Chloe slipped hand under his arm.
Il do like you she confided. You're
so understanding. don't believe r.
could think anything too bad to tell
you"
We'll. that's something" he admit
ted, beginning to trudge slowly toward
his car. Chloe always saw him as
trailing. a broken wing She walked
with him in silence for few moments,
then forced stiff little sentence:
81 am glad Alex is getting on so
we'll"
HE gave his usual dry assent. Eyes.
You two haven't made it up vet, have
yCu!" he added Unexpectedly.
"Oh, we are perfectly friendly when
we meet Chloe drew her hand from
under his arm. Now must run
home. Uncle Harry"
She crossed the street, and so could
only nod to her cousin Alex whom she
passed in the next block He lifted
his hat without smiling.
you're wrong, you're wrong, you're
wrong" Chloe silently flung at him.
Il am generally wrong but in this one
case l was right"
1t had been stupid, unreasonable
break between them, not like a good, |
healthy quarrel. When, last autumn.
the kind Van Dusens had asked Chloe
to go abroad with them, it had seemed
such unmitfgated good fortune. Every
one had met it as she did, simply and
with rejoicing, until she told Alex. He