The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-05-18


her mother began.
"Oh, know" said Portia, "but that
girl I've got isn't much good"
You'd have known them for mother
and daughter anywhere, and you'd
have had trouble finding any point of
resemblance In either Of them to the
Amazonian young thing who had SO
nearly thrown a street-car conductor
into the street the night before.
The mothers hair was very soft and
white, and the care with which 1t was
arranged indicated certain harmless
vanity In It. There was something a
little conscious, too, about her dress.
Ii you took 1t in connection with a
certain resolute amiability about her
smile, you would be entirely prepared
to hear her tell Portia that she was to
talk on Modern Tendencies" before
the Pierian club this afternoon.
A very real person, nevertheless
you couldn't doubt that. The marks of
passionately held beliefs and eagerly
given sacrifices were etched with I'M
deniable authenticity In her face.
Once You got beyond catalogue of
features, Portia presented rather
striking contrast to this. Her hair
was done with severity that was
fairly hostile. Her clothes were
brusquely worn. Her smile, If not i'll
natured-it wasn't that--was distinct
ly ironic. A very competent, good
looking young woman, just now droop-
Ing little over the cold lunch.
$50 Rose didn't come down this
morning at all. Nothing particular the
matter with her, is there?" asked Por-
tia.
There was enough real concern in
her voice to save the question from
sounding satirical. but her mothers
manner was a little apologize when
she answered 1t.
mo, think not" she said. "But
she was in such a state when she
came home last alphabetically wet
through to the skin, and blue with
cold. So thought 1t wouldn't do any
harm.
"Of course not" said Portia
"Rose is all right. She won't spoil
badly"
sim a little bit worried about the
loss of the poor child's notebooks, y
said her mother.
II don't believe Rose is worrying
her head off about them," said Portia.
The flush in her mothers cheeks
deepened a little, but it was no long
err apologize. II don't think you're
quite fair to Rose, about her studies, :"
she said. "If she doesn't seem always
to appreciate her privilege in getting a
college education as seriously as she
should, you should remember her
youth. She's only twenty"
, "rm sorry, mother" Portia inter
, rupted contritely. 81 didn't mean any
harm anyway. Didn't she say the
mans name was Rodney Aldrich?'
II think So" her mother agreed
Something like that"
cts rather funny" said Portia
'It's hardly likely to have been the
real Rodney Aldrlch. Yet it's not q
: common name."
! "The real Rodney ALBRIGHT" ques
toned her mother. But, without wait
ing for her daughters elucidation Of
the phrase. she added, "oh, there's
Rose !"
The girl came up behind Portia anC
enveloped her In big, lazy hug. "BaeI
: to work another Saturday afternoon
Angel?" she asked commiseratingly
, aren't you ever going to stop anC
. have any fun?" Then she slumpet
! into a chair. heaved yawning sigh
and rubbed her eyes.
'Tired. dear7" asked her mother
She said 1t under her breath in tn,
!. hope that Portia wouldn't hear.
> "No," said Rose. "Just sleepy I
1 She yawned again, turned TO Portia
: and, somewhat to their surprise, said
"Yes, what do you mean-the rea
!, Rodney Aldrich? He looked rea
: enough to me. And his arm felt rea
i, the one he was going to punch tn,
conductor WITH"
II didn't mean he was imaginary,
@ Portia explained. 81 only meant
4 didn't believe 1t was the Rodne.
Aldrich-who's so awfully prominent
= SltleE SOtuSDOuy elSG WIZ udppSue'
4 to have the same name, or somebod,
: who just-said that was his NAME"
. whats the matter with the promi
nent one?" Rose wanted to know
d 'Why couldn't it have been he?"
u Portia admitted that it could, so ia
W as that went, but insisted on an in
t. herent improbability. A millionaire
the brother of Mrs. Martin Whitne!
wasn't likely to be found riding
street cars.
'Millionaires have legs" said Ros
ST bet they can walk around like an.
i: body else. However, don't care VIII
i'd he is, if he'll send back my books"
IL Portia went back presently to I'll
" shop, and it wasn't long after that tn;
ed her mother came downstairs clad f
IN. the street, with her Modern Tendel
h cies" under her arm in leather por