The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1919-10-11
CHAPTER xi-continued.

=
8
When they went down to the uihiI@
room. he pronounced acceptance 'he
salmon salad. cold beef. cheese aht
cake which Fanny made ready I"r
tbem without disturbing the servants
The Journey had fatigued Isabel she
ate nothing. hut sat to observe WIN
tired pleasure the manifestations vi
her sons appetite, meanwhile slVihE
her SiSrpr-iu-law Il brief summary OF
the events of commencement. But
presently she kissed them both goou-
night ard left aunt and nephew alone
together.
"It never was becoming To her 10 look
pale" Fanny said ahSently. a few mo-
ments after ISabcrS departure.
suppose your mothers been being
pretty gay? Going LOTT"
"How could she?" George asked
cheerfully. "In mourning, of course
all she could do was just sit around
and look on. That's all Lucy could do
either. for the matter of that.
II suppose So" his aunt asSented.
"How did Lucy get home? Did you
drive out to their house with her be-
fore you came heref
mo. She drove home with her IA
Their, of course"
"Oh. / see So Eugene came to the
station to meet you"
"To meet u.s." George echoed, re-
newing his attack upon the salmon
salad. "Iow could he?"
81 don't know what you mean"
Fanny said drearily, in the desolate
voice that had become her habit. 81
haven't seen him while your mothers
been away"
Naturally" said George. Hes
been East himself"
At this Fannys dropping eyelds
opened wide.
did you see him."
swell naturally, since he made the
trip home with u.s."
Fanny's eyelids dropped, and she
sat silent until George pushed back his
chair and lit cigarette, declaring his
vlded. you're fine housekeeper,'
he said benevOlently. Il don't believe
you'd stay single very long IL some OF
the bachelors and widowers around
town could Just once see
She did not hear him. Its little
odd" she said.
whats odd?"
"Your mothers not mentioning that
Mr.. Morgan had been with you"
didn't think Of it. I suppose" said
George carelessly; and, his benevolent
mood Increasing, he conceived the idea
that a little harmless rallying might
serve to elevate his aunt's dropping
spirits. "Tll tell you something, in
confidence" he said solemnly.
She looked up. startled. WHAT"
"Well. II struck me that Mr.. Nor
gan was looking pretty absent-mlnded
most of the time; and he certainly il
dressing better than he used to.
shouldn't be a bit surprised If all tn,
young fellow had been waiting for wa
30 know he had an assured income he
lure ne pTOpOStu.
"What young fellow"
'sThis young fellow Morgan" laughe,
George. Honestly, Amt Fanny.
shouldn't be bit surprised TO hav
him request an Interview with me an
tiny, and declare that his intentions ar
honorable. and ask my permission t
pay his addresses to you. What had
better tell him?"
Fanny burst into tears.
"Good heavens" George cried.
was only teasing. didn't mean"
let me alone,r she said lifelessly
and. continuing to weep. rose and h,
gan to clear away the china and silve
George was distressed II didn
mean anything. Aunt Fanny! / didn
know you'd got so sensitive as a
that"
you'd better go up 10 bed" sh
said desolately. going on with her wor
and her weeping.
He obeyed. and could still hear
pathetic shifting from the dining roo
as he went up the stairs.
~By George. ne grunteu, as
reached his own room and his though
was that living with person so sens
tive to kindly raillery might prov
lugubrious. He went 10 the windo
and looked through the darkness
the great silhouette Of his grandf
Tiers house. Lights were burning oy'
there, upstairs: probably his new
arrived uncle was engaged in talk wit
the Major.
Georges glance lowered. resting en-
naiiy Hpon the Indistinct ground. ar
ne bebeld some vague shapes, inf
miIIaf a. him. FormIess heaps. The
seemed; but. without much curiosit
he supposed that sewer connections
water pipes might be out Of orde
making necessary some excavation
Not greatly disturbed, he pulled dow
the shade. yswDed, and began 10 u
dress. leaving further Investigation 4
he morning.