Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1919-08-15

moments lulcI lllt lNO luulNo CulHt
in cheerfully, unfastening their fur
cloaks. ITS all right George said
Isabel. "Your Uncle George called to
us that Pendennis got home safely.
Put your shoes close to the fire, dear,
or else go and change them"
Look here" said George abruptly.
'How about this man Morgan and his
old sewing machine2 Doesn't he want
to get grandfather to put money into
it? Isn't he trying to work Uncle
George for that? Isn't that what he's
up to?"
II was Miss Fanny who responded.
"You little silly" she cried, with sur
prising sharpness. "What on earth
are you talking about? Eugene Nor
gan's perfectly able to finance his own
inventions these days"
"He strikes me as that sort Of
man" George answered doggedly
isn't he, father?"
Mnafer set down>h his paper for the
moment. "He was a fairly wild young
fellow twenty years ago" he said,
glancing at his Wife absently. "He
was like you in one thing George: he
spent too much money-only he didn't
have any mother to get money out Of
grandfather for him, so he was usu-
ally in debt. But believe I've heard
he's done fairly well of late years.
No, I can't say I think he's a swim
dler, and | doubt if he needs anybody
else's money to back his horseless car
rlage."
well, what's he brought the old
thing here for, then? People that own
elephants don't take their elephants
around with em when they 90 visit
ing What's he got it here for?'
I'm sure / don't know" said Mr..
Mnafer, resuming his paper. you
might ask him."
Isabel laughed and patted her hus-
bands shoulder again. aren't you
going to dress? Aren't we all going
to the dancer"
He groaned family aren't your
brother and George escorts enough
for you and FannyY
wouldn't you \enjoy 1t at all2"
you know l don't"
Isabel let her hand remain upon
his shoulder a moment longer; she
stood behind him, looking into the fire,
George, watching her broodingly,
thought there was more color in her
face than the reflection of the flames
accounted for "Well, then" she said
ndulgently, "stay at home and be
happy. We won't urge you if you'd
really rather not"
II really wouldn't" he said content
edly.
Half an hour later George was pass
ing through the upper hail. in bath
robe stage of preparation for the eve
ning's gayeties, when he encountered
his Aunt Fanny. He stopped her
Look here!" he said.
"What in the world is the matter
with you?" she demanded, regarding
him with little amiability. you look
as if you were rehearsing for villain
in play"
His expression gave no sign Of
yielding to the request; on the con-
trary, it's somberness deepened. 81
suppose you don't know why father
doesn't want to go tonight" he said
solemnly.
"He never wants to go anywhere
that ever heard Of" said Fanny.
what is the matter with your"
"He doesn't want to 60 because he
doesn't like this man Morgan. Look
here, what makes you and-and ev-
erybody so excited over him?'
"'Excited y" she jeered. Cant
people be glad to see an old friend
without silly children like you having
to make a TODD about it? I've just
been in your mothers room suggest
ing that she might give little dinner
for them"
For who?"
For whom, George! For Mr..
Morgan and his daughter"
Look here!" George said quickly.
Don't do that Mother mustn't do
that 1t wouldn't look we'll"
Wouldn't look wellr" Fanny
Knocked him; and her suppressed We
hemence betrayed surprising acerb-
ity. "See here, George Minafer,
suggest that you just march straight
on into your room and finish your
dressing Sometimes you say things
that show you have a pretty mean
little mind"
George was so astOunded by this
Outburst that his indignation was de-
layed by his curiosity. why, what
upsets you this way?" he inquired.
81 know what. you mean," she said,
, her voice still lowered, but not de-
creasing in sharpness. you're trying
to insinuate that I'd get your mother
to invite Eugene Morgan here on my
account because he's a widowerp
81 ann" George gasped, nOnplused.
'I'm trying to inslnuate that you're
setting your cap at him and ting
mother to help you? Is that what you
mPan?"