South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-08
The Medder
BY Ella Randall Pearcc.

d ntT uauBnAtI AOLAAt- DAt - l4S4A
/ it's my own brother-in danger and
/ helpless feel justified in taking a
hand in the matter"
Florrie blinked thoughtfully at
/ her mothers rosy determined face.
/ She knew how TO discount Mrs.
I Forbes extravagant phrases, but
she never had learned how to argue
or protest successfully with the elder
woman, even when convinced that
the matter was open to argument
or protest.
There was her own case, for in
stance. Had F1orrie ever been able
10 cross the line drawn by her
mother the line that ehectually
kept the young girl from the social
freedom and pleasures for which
her expanding spirit yearned
You're a mere child yet" Mrs.
Forbes would say. There's plenty
Of time for you to grow wise and
worldly. 1 can't lose my little girl
so soon"
But in spite of all precautions,
Florrie in her own way was growing
wise and worldly as time passed.
She was beginning TO appraise her
attractive mothers whims, vanities
and coquetries, and TO realize why
Mrs. Forbes chung SO persistently
TO the idea of not losing her little
girl so soon. Outwardly FlOrrie was
girlish and sweet to look upon,
slender and a half head taller than
her mother, with baby round blue
eyes and a fluff OF flaxen hair.
How do you know Uncle Avery
isn't doing just what he wants to do,
mother?" she asked. And I think
Miss Alderman is lovely"
"Of course you do. And of
course she is-in her right place.
Well, I'm going TO save him from
this last folly if I can" Mrs. For
bes' lips drew in a firm, straight
line and her broWs lowered.
"Avery's a scholar, a scientist and
a real old bachelor. Clare Acker-
man, with her butterfly airs. has
drawn him away from his studies,
but it is only a passing fancy
You said Miss Alderman is
twenty eight" reminded F1Orrie, TO
whom twenty-eight seemed an age
of sober maturity; yet she regarded
Miss Clare Alderman as her ideal
of brilliant young wOmanhoOd. And
Uncle Avery's only
BE still, child You don't know
anything about it, Mrs. Forbes
looked refiectively across the luxu-
RANT garden. Il have an idea. and
of meddling. Avery has glOrified
this very worldly young woman, and
if he should see her in her true col
Crs, he would be disillusioned. So
l have invited her here with a few
others for a little visit. and among
them Mr. Claude Davis"
"Oh, Mr.. Claude Davis!" exclaim-
ed Florence. clasping her hands.
Mrs. Forbes laughed mirthfully.
Exactly. Even you know of his
reputation as one of the brilliant
ornaments of society. They will be
well matched-Claude and Glare,
and no doubt we shall see a pretty
little powder puff battle"
Dear me. mother. You do use
such funny terms. I suppose you
mean Miss Alderman and Mr.. Da-
Wis will 1irt terribly and disgust
poor Uncle Avery"
They can't help it," asserted
Mrs Forbes. with maliciously twink
ling eyes.
I'm glad we're going to have a |
houseful of company anyway" |
chirped Florrie; and she went from |
the breakfast room to inspect the
contents Of her wardrobe.
Mrs. Forbes invited guests came |
in due time and made themselves
very much at home in Avery Mull's |
handsome suburban residence. Dash /
ing Claude Davis and the bewitch- |
ing Miss Alderman Immediately es- !
tablished their right to the reputa- !
ton society had given them. They /
met on familiar ground, and they /
fenced with familiar weapons.
In her delighted watch over the !
maneuvers Of these two merry |
guests. Mrs. Forbes forgot every
thing else, except to draw her /
brothers attention to Clare Acker- I
mans frivolities and her unftness /
to grace a dignifed position outside /
her own whirling circle. They're |
so we'll matched, those two" she :
would remark. Both heartbreak-
ers-I wonder what damage they'll |
do now"
Several days passed, and some Of /
the guests had gone Mrs Forbes,
coming into the living room in the
early evening found l. deserted; +,
but outside in the moonlight, a fig
ure which she recognized as Claude |
Davis crossed a lighted space and
behind the rose shrub
berry. Close beside him was the
Rutter Of pale draperies-and he
and Clare Alderman had been sing
ing together but a little while be-
fore.
I wish 1 could find Avery and
take him with me-" Mrs. Forbes
cautiously trailed along the garden
paths, her black net gown and man
tina merging into the night sha-
dOws. Ahead Of her was the hutter
Of pale draperies; but as she paused
beside a tiny leaf-screened arbor.
Mrs Forbes heard a familiar voice
that thrilled her with consterna-
ton.