Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-07-03

I've written the Fletchers to look out
a place, for us, and I've sold out my
business-took an offer that I refused
a month ago. AS soon as we hear from
the Fletchers, Wen begin to pack.
Within week, hope"
Rose said queer thing then. She
cried out increduously: "And you and
mother are going away to California
to livel And leave me here all alone !"
"All alone with the whole of your
own life" thought Portia, but didn't
say 1t.
Il can't realize it at ALL" Rose went
on after little silence. st doesn't
seem-possible. Do you believe the
specialist Is right? Can't we go to
someone else and make sure?"
whats the use?" said Portia. "'Be-
sides, if drag mother around to any
more of them, she'll know"
Rose looked up sharply. Doesn't
she know?"
NO." said Portia in that hard, even
voice of hers. 81 lied to her, of course.
You know mother well enough to know
what she'd do if she knew the truth
about it. Don't you know how it's
always pleased her when old people
could die-'fn harness. as she says?"
The ordeal, or the worst of it, was
over. Rose was dropping forlornly
forward, one arm clasped around her
knees, and she was trying to dry her
tears On the sleeve of her nightgown.
The childlike pathos of the attitude
caught Portia like the surge of q wave.
She crossed the room and sat down on
the edge of the bed. She'd have come
still closer and taken the girl in her
arms, but for the fear Of starting her
crying again.
"Yes," Rose said. THAT'S mother.
And l guess she's right about it. 1t
must be horrible to be half-aiive-to
know you're no use and never will be.
And you've gone through this all alone
without ever giving Rodney and me a
chance to help. 1 don't see why you
did that, Portia."
ooh, 1 saw 1t was my job" Portia
said, in that cool, dry tone of hers.
1T had to be done, and there was no
one else to do it. So what was the
use of making fuss?"
"Well, there's one thing" Rose said.
II believe it'll do you as much good as
mother. Getting rest. And a
nice little bungalow to live in-just
Won and mother TT Sort of
wish 1 was going, too"
Portia laughed-a ragged, unnatural
sounding laugh that brought a lock of
puzzled inquiry from Rose.
"Why, nothing" Portia explained.
ut was just the notion of your Ieav-
ing Rodney and all you've got here
all the wonderful things you have to
dO-for what We'll have out there.
The idea of your envying me is
something worth a small laugh, don't
you think?"
Roses head dropped lower. She
buried her face in her hands. ST do
envy you" she said. There was a
duh, muffied passion in her voice. "Why
shouldn't I envy you? You're so cold
and certain all the time. You make
up your mind what you'll do and you
do 1t. 1 try to do things and just
make myself ridiculous
you've got husband" said Portia
In a thin, brittle voice. "That might
count for something, should think"
Eyes. and what good am I to him?"
Rose demanded. HE can't talk to
me-not about his work or anything
like that, And / can't help him any
way. I'm something nice for him to
make love to, when he feels like do
ing it, and I'm a nuisance when l
make. scenes and get tragic. And
that's all. That's-marriage I guess.
You're the lucky one, Portia."
The silence had lasted a good while
before Rose noticed that Portia had
not stirred; had sat there as rigidly
still as figure carved in ivory.
Becoming aware of that, she raised
her head. .Portia wasn't looking at
her, but down at her own clenched
hands.
ut needed just that, I suppose"
she heard her older sister say between
almost motionless lips. 81 thought it
was pretty complete before. but it
took that to make it perfect-that you
think I'm the lucky one-lucky never
to have had a husband. or anyone
else. for that matter. to love me. And
lucky now. to have to give up the only
substitute | had for that"
"Portia !" Rose cried out. for the
mordant, alkaline bitterness in her sis
ter's voice, and the tragic irony in her
face, was almost terrifying. But the
cutlery might never have been uttered
for any effect 1t had.
Il hoped this wouldn't happen" the
words came steadily on, one at a time.
i hoped 1 could get this over and
get away out of your life altogether
without letting it happen. But
can't Perhaps it's just as wall--per-
haps it may do you some good. But
that's not why I'm doing it. I'm do
ing it for myself. Just for once, I'm
going to let gol You won't like it.
You're going to get hurt"
Rose drew herself erect and a curl
Gus change went over her face. so that
you wouldn't have known she'd been
crying. She drew in a long breath
and said, very steadily: "Tell me.
sha'n't try to get away"
"a man came TO our house one day
to collect 4 bill," Portia went on.
quite as If Rose hadn't spoken. Moth
er was out, and was st home I was
then, getting ready to go
20 VasSar. You were only seven-I
suppose you were at school Anyhow.
was at home, and let him in, and
he made 4 fuss. l knew we weren't
-ieh, of course never had quite |
enough pocket money. But the idea