Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-04-16
INSIDER''
CHAPTER XVIII
By Virginia rerhune Van de water

of the happenings in the Norton
household started at breakfast time.
Perhaps they do in all households.
Tom. Mr.. Norton asked abruptly.
what have YOU on hand for this
evening""
oh, that would be nice.r the lad
replied. Perhaps 1 may go"-
Don't plan to so anywhere,
please" his father interrupted. Il
want you TO ask your friend, Mr..
Parker, to dine here with us"
"Oh. that would be nice" the lad
stammered.
He cast a swift look of inquiry at
me, but 1 did not return it,
Suppose" Mr.. Norton said, that
You call Parker up now-so that l
may know before l leave if he can
come. He's surely up by now"
With muttered Excuse me- Tom
left the room and moment later we
heard him asking for the number of
the hotel at which his friend was
staying.
You like Mr.. Parker. don't YOU,
Brewster" Mrs. Gore queried.
Yes" her brother-in-law replied.
here"
1t was plain that he was in no mood
for argument this morning and his
sister-in-law subsided into a brief ST
lence.
He says he'll be very glad to
come" Tom announced, returning to
the dining room and table. Thank
you for asking him, father"
I'm glad to have him" the parent
rejoined. Miss Dart" turning to me
so suddenly that 1 started nervously.
I would like YOU to put Grace to bed
in time to dine with us tonight. You
can arrange to do that, can't you?"
"Oh, / hope you can, Miss Dart"
Tom exclaimed impulsively.
rng 1aI h1,-
ly You interrupted Miss Dart, Tom"
she reproved
Grace Intcrfcrcs
Indeed. he did not" l demurred
Il had not begun to speak"
Il noticed that you had not" Mr.
Norton observed. You can do what
1 ask, can you nat?" he repeated. 1T
will just round out the number at
table"
I hesitated. I felt my employers
eyes upon me, but l also saw the
lines of disapproval about Mrs Cores
mouth.
You know that there will be four
of US anyway, Brewster" she VEN
tured. did you forget that when you
spoke of rounding out the number"
But my employer ignored this
speech. saw that he was waiting for
my answer. "Well?" he demanded.
'If-if-I faltered, IF Grace is
asleep.
\ aggression came from an unex-
pected quarter.
"Pooh!" my small charge exclaim-
ed. What difference does it make
if I'm not asleep? 1 don't mind Miss
Darts coming down, Daddy, even if l |
am awake. She'll sit with me while |
have my supper first, won't she-and
put me into bed?"
Certainly" 1 smiled at the child's |
eager face.
7
alone" she insisted. Miss Dart says
there's never anything to be afraid !
Of that I'm really safer in my bed
at night than walking out on the |
streets in the day time-and surely |
I'm not afraid on the streets"
Surely mott her father agreed, !
laughing affectionately.
But. darling child" Mrs. Gore ex-
postulated, you don't know anything
about It, for YOU have never had to
go to sleep alone away off upstairs by
yourself. I really do not approve of
it."
And I do" the man of the house
burst forth. please understand that,
Adelaide. I will not have my brave
little girl made cowardly."
But, Brewster, you don't under
stand" the woman began. Il only
to stay up there with Grace, Maggie
can sit in MisSEDart's room. although |
meant that if Miss Dart doesn't want
to be sure, it's Maggie's evening out"
Il understand perfectly" the man
contradicted. "It is not what Miss
Dart wants as you put it. 1t is what
want. And want Miss Dart at the
table tonight. Grace is too old to
need a night-nurse as if she were
baby"
\ Theater Party
"Of course. l ami" Grace agreed,
proudly Miss Dart won't have to
stay with me after I'm in bed-will
you, Miss Dart?''
saw that all were waiting for my
decision.
II will do just what Mr.. Norton
thinks best" l murmured.
Then 1 shall expect you to dine
with u.s." my employer said. as if
the matter were closed. "By the way.
Tom" with a glance at his son, 1T
might be rather nice to get tickets
for some play-don't you think so?"
"Oh. bully the boy exclaimed.
''Thank you, SIR
That's all right" the father said,
almost grufiy. LITTER breakfast we'll
look over the paper and decide what
we want to see. Adelaide, it might be
we'll to order dinner to be served very
promptly, so that we can get to the
theater in time. viii you accompany
us?"
She shook her head. NO. thank
1
stay at home. The night air is bad
for me, and as Maggie will be out
would rather be in in case Grace
needs anything"
"As you please" he said indiffer-
emily. Julia and the other servants
will be in, you know"
"Yes, but I have never left the child
alone at night with servants"
As you please" her brother said
again. Then I'll get only four
tickets. ] shall not need to have the
car call at the office for me this after
noon. If you go driving, Adelaide, tell
James to have the closed car at the
door at SIS tonight"
Yes. Brewster" she said meekly.
It was quite evident to me that
Mr.. Brewster Norton had things his
own way in his own home.
Ito be continuedl
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. TJEREHFETIT1EIK