Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-11-28

natural, right thing that any mother
would have done?" Serene Gage did
not answer, but his peace seemed to
fall on her. Are you wishing you
could shake me for criticizing my
mother?" she added with the begin
ming of smile.
Alex arrived late and breathless. but
suitably dressed to accompany Chloe's
new grandeur. 1t was significant
fact that Alex, strong willed as he
was strong muscled, always did what
Chloe told him to. She was as uncon-
scious of this as he was; and yet she
would have been deeply shocked If her
little orders had not been followed
Alex was fond of condemning girls
for the time and attention they gave
to their looks; but Chloe had always
noticed that when her clothes were
especially becoming, his eyes had a
trick of rewarding her. She watched
happily for that quick lightning as she
ran down the stairs, carrying her wrap
that he might see all at once how fine
she was. But this time the response
failed her. Alexis glance had never
been more cool and detached.
Forgive me for being late" he
said. Il didn't get home from the Of
flee till some seven minutes ago."
But your dinner?" Chloe exclaimed,
stopping short.
ooh, ! took it on the run-as the
fast engines water. All ready?"
The open door disclosed taxicab.
Usually they would have been merry
over such an extravaganza, but to-
night Alex helped her in with matter
OF course air that checked comment.
Perhaps the clothes had put them on
more formal terms; or else they were
still little shy of each other after
tht months of estrangement. On the
way Alex entertained her, even flirted
with her, expanding charm as he
would have on any pretty girl. He
could be very astute in society. this
obstinate and prejudiced young man,
Chloe had no intention of taking him
back on these terms. She waited I'M
til they were seated in the theater;
then she interrupted him with a laugh
in her uptilted face. She was never
in the least wren with Alex.
Now. Alex, you know perfectly
we'll that am grand sight, and that
you will have to say so sooner or lat
err" she assured him. What Is the
sense Of holding back?
~ admit it, freely" he said at once,
but his voice was purposely unenthusl-
astic He had no eyes for gold en-
broidery or lace sleeves. :,
"But l thought you would enjoy It,.
Chloe sounded as disappointed as hui
man voice could 81 thought you
would be so proud Of me-
The easy stranger was gone. Alex
jerked impatiently and manhandled
his program.
II like you better in your own
Clothes" he said; then, seeing now
hard he had struck, repented and
mutely implored her to forgive MS
being the stiff-necked ass he was.
But they happen to be mine. now,
said Chloe colby, and, the curtain
rising, she drew as far away from him
as the seats allowed, giving her en-
tire attention to the stage. At first
neither saw much of the play, but the
action was amusing, and presently,
when Chloe had been made to laugh,
Alex took heart and laughed with her.
When the curtain fell, her elbow was
back on the rest between them. Alex
would have ignored the recent trouble
but she stopped him. She had not sald
lightly that she was making MIN
walk chalk line"
"No, my dear" she said with
quaint gravity. II am not cross now,
but we must have that out. Do you
know that your attitude seems to me
mean and small?"
Twice Alex started to answer; then
he gave it up. at is no use,' he ex-
claimed. IF try to say what l feel,
I shall criticize your whole family at
titude. and that will only make you
angry. Butt do want you to he Diff
ferent little Chloe" He was smiling
now Hang it, want you to be
credit to me. Haven't 1 half brought
you up?' &C.,,
haven't. You were off flirting with 9TH
err girls in the years when you might
have been Of some service to me. And
It ia where l am different from my
family that l am less fine than they
are. You're all wrong, Alex. now,
when we came in tonight l saw
cousin of the girl who gave me this
gown and the thought that she might
Recognize it was hateful to me. l hid
in my wrap and slipped past. but
mother would have gone up 10 nei
and said. Marjorie sent me TINS!
Wasn't it kind of her? Doesn't it look
well?' Don't you see how much bigger
that is. to take simply and gladly, as
You would give? ! am going to STOP
and speak to her on the way out
with my wrap all OPEN.
His eyes at last were giving her the
deferred reward.
But it is paying price, Toto, he
told her. Il would rather earn them
myself"
would you rather l earned them"
She spoke hun1orously, as of some
thing impossible, and he smiled I'M
as the curtain rose.