The diamond drill., 1919-09-06
CHAPTER X.

That night George began jubllant
warfare upon his Aunt Fanny, open
ing the campaign upon his return
home at about eleven o'clock. Fanny
had retired, and was presumably
asleep, but George, on the way to his
own room, paused before her door.
and serenaded her In a full baritone :
"As ] walk along the Boy de Balong
With my Independent air.
The people all declare.
He must he a millionaire
Oh, you hear them sigh, and wish TO die.
And see them wink the other eye
AT the man that broke the bank at Monte
Carlo!
After breakfasting in bed, George
spent the next morning at his grand
fathers and did not encounter his
Aunt Fanny until lunch, when she
seemed TO be ready for him.
Thank you so much for the sere-
made. George" she said. "Your poor
father tells me he'd just got to sleep
for the first time in two nights. but
after your kind attentions he lay
awake the rest OF last night"
Perfectly true" Mr.. Mlnafer said
grimiy.
"Of course, ! didn't know, sir
George FASTENED 20 assure him. I'm
awfully sorry. But Aunt Fanny was
so gloomy and excited before / went
out. last evening, thought she needed
cheering up"
He turned 10 his mother whats
the matter with grandfather"
Didn't you see him this mornlng?"
Isabel asked.
"Yes. He was glad to see me. and
all that, but he seemed pretty iidgety.
Has he been having trouble with his
heart again?"
Not lately No"
well, he's not himself. What's he
upset over?'
Isabel looked serions; however it
was her husband who suggested gloom
fly. II suppose the Majors bothered
about this Sydney and Amelia bust
ness. most likely.
"What sydney and Amelia bust
nessy' George asked
Your mother can tell you. If she
wants to-" Mlnafer said. Its not my
side of the family, so keep on"
Its rather disagreenbie for all OF
us, George" Isabel began. You see.
your Uncle sydney wanted diplo-
matte position. and he thought Brother
George. being In congress, could ar
range II. George did get him the offer
OF a South American ministry, hut
sydney wanted European nmbassa.
dorShip. and he got quite indignant
with poor George for thinking he'd
take anything smaller-and he be
lleveS George didn't work hard enough
FOR him. George had done his best. OF
course, and now he's@out of congress.
and Won't run ngnln---so there's Syd.
ney's ldea of a hlg diplomatic position
gone for good. Well. sydney and your
Aunt Amelia are terribly disapnolnt-
ed, and they say they've heen thinking
for years that this town isn't really 1T
% live in--'for gentleman sydney
says--and u is getting rather ble and
dirty. SO they've sold their house and
decided To- 20 abroad 10 live pcrma.
nentlS; there's villa near Florence
they've often talked of buying. And
they want father ~ let them have their
share ot the estate now. instead Of
waiting for him 20 leave Il 10 them In
his will"
"Mell, suppose that's fair enough, {"
George said. 'That Is. IN case he In
tended 10 leave them certain amount
In Ills wili.n
-Of course that's understood.
George. Father explained his win To
ns long ago; third 10 them. and a.
third 70 Brother George. and a third
10 us"
Her son made n simple calculation
In his mind. Uncle George was a
bachelor. and probably would never
marry; Sydney and Amelia were child.
less. The Majors only grandchIld an.
peared 70 remain the eventual heir OF