The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1919-11-07

nausea, but under his uncle's encour-
agement he was able to be explicit.
"She said my mother wanted you to be
friendly to her about Eugene Morgan.
She said my mother had been using
Aunt Fanny as chaperone."
Anderson emitted laugh Of dis
gust. "It's wonderful what tommy-rot
woman in state of spite can think
Of! suppose you don't doubt that
Amelia ANDERSON created this speci-
men of tommy-rot herself? OF all the
damn nonsense"
George looked at him haggardly.
you're sure people are not talking?"
rubbish! Your mothers on my
side about this division because she
knows Sydney's a pig and always has
been a pig, and so has his spiteful
wife. I'm trying to keep them from
getting the better Of your mother as
well as from getting the better Of me,
don't you suppose? Well, they're in
rage because Sydney always could do
what he liked with father unless your
mother interfered, and they know got
Isabel to ask him not to do what they
wanted. That's all there is to it."
"But she said," George persisted
wretchedly; "she said there was talk.
She said"
Look here, young fellow" Amber
son laughed good-naturedly. "There
probably is some harmless talk about
the way your Aunt Fanny goes after
poor Eugene, and I've no doubt I've
abetted it myself. Fanny was always
languishing at him. twenty-odd years
ago, before he left here. Well, we
can't blame the poor thing if she's got
her hopes up again, and I don't know
that blame her, myself, for using
your mother the way she does"
"How do you mean?"
ANDERSON put his hand on Georges
shoulder. "You like to tease Fanny"
he said, "but wouldn't tease her
about this, if were you. Fanny hasn't
got much in her life. In fact, don't
know of anything much that Fanny
has got, except her feeling about Eu-
gene. She's always had it-and what's
funny to us Is pretty much life-and-
death to her, suspect. Now, I'll not
| deny that Eugene Morgan is attracted
to your mother. He is; and that's an
other case of always was;' but know
him; and he's a knight, Georgia.
crazy one. perhaps, if you've read Don
Quixote.' And 1 think your mother
likes him better than she likes any
man outside her own family, and that
he interests her more than anybody
else-and always has, And that's all
there is to it, except"
Except what?" George asked quick
ly, as he paused.
Except that suspect" Anderson
chuckled.. and began over: "Pll tell
you in confidence. Fanny uses your
mother for a decoy duck. She does
everything in the world she can to
| keep your mothers friendship with
Eugene going, because she thinks
that's what keeps Eugene about the
place, so to speak. Fanny's always
with your mother, you see; and when
ever he sees Isabel he sees Fanny.
Fanny thinks he'll get used to the idea
Of her being around, and some day her
chance may come! There! D'you
see?"
"Well-I suppose so." Georges
brow was still dark, however. 'If
you're sure whatever talk there is. is
about Aunt Fanny. If that's So" !.
Don't be an ass" his uncle advised
him lightly, moving away. "rm off for
weeks fishing to forget that woman
in there. and her pig of husband"
(His gesture toward the Mansion indi-
Gated Mr.. and Mrs. Sydney Amber
son. II recommend like course to
you, if you're silly enough to pay any
attention to such furnishings! Good
by"
George was partially reas-
sured, but still troubled: word haunt
ed him like the recollection of night
mare. "Talkl ~
He walked rapidly toward his own
front gate. The victoria was there
with Fanny alone; she jumped out
brislSiy and the victoria waited.
where's mother?" George asked
sharply.
"At Lucy's. only came back to get
some embroidery, because we found
the sun too hot for driving. / haven't
time to talk now, George; I'm going
right back. / promised your mother"
"You listenl" said George.
what on earth
He repeated what Amelia had said.
| This time. however. he spoke coldly.