Cleveland County herald., 1919-11-13

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 a chaperone."
 Anderson emitted a laugh of dis gust. Its wonderful what tommy-rot a woman in a state of spite can think of l suppose you don't doubt that Amelia Anderson created this speci- men of tommy-rot herself? Of all the damn nonsenser'
 George looked at him haggardly. You're sure people are not talkingY'
 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 a rage because Sydney always could do what he liked with father unless your mother interfered, and they know I 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 l don't know that I blame her, myself, for using your mother the way she does.'
 How do you meanY
 Anderson put his hand on Georges shoulder. You like to tease Fanny, he said, but I wouldn't tease her about this, if I 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 Flu gene She's always had it-and what's funny to us is pretty much life-and- death to her, I 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 l know him, and he's knight, George-a crazy one, perhaps, if you've read Don Quixote' And I 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 I suspect" Anderson chuckled, and began over: "I'll 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. Pm off for a weeks fishing to forget that woman in there. and her pig of husband" (His gesture toward the Mansion indi- cated MT. and Mrs. Sydney Amber son.) 'I recommend a like course to you, if you're silly enough to pay any attention to such rubbishings Good by!"
 George was partially reas- sured, but still troubled: word haunt ed him like the recollection of night mare. "Talk !"
 He walked rapidly toward his own front gate. The victoria was there with Fanny alone; she jumped out briskly and the victoria waited.
 "Where's mother?" George asked sharply.
 At Lucy's. I only came back to get some embroidery, because we found the sun too hot for driving. I haven't time to talk now, Georgie; I'm going right back. I promised your mother
 "You listen p said George.
 "NWhat on earth"
 He repeated what Amelia had said. This time, however he spoke eoldly,