Cheyenne record., 1919-12-18

In his room over his mtstreatment Of
her!
"Oh, my Lord !" he whispered; then,
with great effort, addressed her in q
reasonable tone: Look here, Aunt
Fanny; l don't see what you're making
all this fuss about. OF course l know
I've teased you sometimes. but"
"Teased' me?" she walled.
Teased' me! Oh, 1t does seem too
hard sOmetimes-this mean old life of
mine does seem too hard! don't
think can stand it! Honestly, don't
think can! came in here just to
show you 1 sympathized with YOU
just to say something pleasant to you,
and you treat me as II were-oh, no.
you wouldn't treat a servant the way
you treat me! You wouldn't treat any
body in the world like this except old
Fanny!"
"Oh, my LOrd!" George groaned.
Fanny spread out her small, soaked
handkerchief, and shook 1t In the air
to dry 1t little, crying as damply and
as wretchedly during this operation as
befTe-a sight which gave George a
curious shock to add to his other agi-
tations, 1t seemed SO strange.
you're SO proud" she quavered,
"and so hard! I tell you didn't mean
to speak of it to you. and I never.
never in the world would have told
you about 1t, nor have made the faint
est reference to 1t, If hadn't seen that
somebody else had told you. or you'd
found out for yourself some way.
l."
In despair of her Intelligence, and
in some doubt OF his own. George
struck the palms of his hands together.
Somebody else had told me what?
I'd found what out for myself2"
How people are talking about your
mother"
Except for the incidental tearlness
Of her voice. her tone was casual. as
though she mentioned subject pre-
viously discussed and understood; !;
for Fanny had no doubt that George
had only pretended to be mystified be-
cause, In his pride, he would not in
words admit that he knew what he
knew.
"What did you sayr he asked in
credulously.
"Of course I understood what you
were doing" Fanny went on. drying her
handkerchief again. ut puzzled other
people when you began to be rude to
Eugene. because they couldn't see how
yOu could treat him rs you did when
you were so interested In Lucy. But
I remembered how you came to me.
TINT other time when there was SO
much talk about Isabel; and I:new
you'd give Lucy up in a minute, II 1t
came to question Of your mothers
reputation, because you said then
that"
Look here" George interrupted in
shaking voice. Look here. I'd
like" He stopped, unable to 60 on.
his agitation was so great. His chest
heaved rs from hard running. and his
complexion. pallid at first. had be-
come notified; fiery splotches appear
Ing at his temples and cheeks. "What
do you mean by telling me-telling me
there's talk abOut-about-" He
gulped, and began again: "What do
you mean by using such words as
'reputatInY What do you mean.
speaking Of a question Of my-my
mothers reputation?"
Fanny looked up at him woefully
over the handkerchief which she now
applied to her reddened nose. "God
knows 1 am sorry for you. George"
she murmured. II wanted to say 80.
but it's only old Fanny, SO whatever
she says-even when It's sympathy
pick on her for I'll" She sobbed. "It's
only poor old lonely FannyI"
"You look herei" George said harsh
~. "When I spoke to my Uncle
George after that rotten thing heard
Aunt Amelia say about my mother. he
said II there was any gossip 1t was
about you'll He said people might bs
laughing about the way you ran after
Morgan. but that was ALL"
Fanny lifted her hands, clenched
them and struck them upon her knees.
"Yes; it's always Fannyl" she sobbed.
Ridiculous old Fanny-always. al
waysi"
"You listen I" George said. "Aftsf
I'd talked to Uncle Ge0rgs I saw you;
and you said had mean little mind
for thinking there might b. truth In