Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-03-07

the dainty little woman who was born,
he felt, for the purple. There was
nothing too good for Gerty. He felt
her unspoken disappointments; her
deprivations. "Of course, she can have
no respect for me. I'm a failure"
Doesn't this give you an appetite?"
demanded Innes heartily. "And Fm
to be a lady for three more weeks"
The remark was thoughtless. A bright
flush spread over Gertys face. She
caught an allusion to her origin.
Innes saw the blush and remem-
bered the boarding house. She could
think of nothing to say. The three
relatives sat down to that most uncom-
Portable travesty, a social meal where
sociability is lacking. Innes said it
had been pleasant morning. Gerty
thought it had been hot. And then
there was silence again.
Innes began to telldhem of her Tue
son visit, when Gerty laid down her
fork. "Ive meant to ask you a hun
dred times. Did you attend to my
commission in Los Angeles?"
Il forgot to tell you. l raked the
town, really did, Gerty." For there
was cloud on Gerty's pretty brow. q
could have got you the other kind, bur
you said you did not want it."
Il should think not" The childish
chin was lifted. ''Those complicated
things are always getting out of order.
Besides, if 1 had an adjustable form,
everybody'd be borrowing IT,;
What are you talking about?" de-
manded Tom, waking UP. "Wh0'd bor-
row your what, Gert?"
"Please don't call me Cert, Tom,"
besought his wife plaintively. "a fig
ure. 1 wanted Innes to try to get one
for me in Los Angeles"
Il did try" began Innes.
yours is good enough for anyone.
Why should you get anotherY He
was openly admiring the ample bust
swelling under the pink gingham.
Don't, Tom"
Innes tried to explain the sincerity
of her search. She had visited every
store (which might be suspected of
having a figure" She could not bring
smile to her sisters face. There
was none your size. They offered to
order one from Chicago. They have to
be made to order, if they are special
sizes. You are not stock size, did you
know that?"
81 should think not" cried Gerty
bridling. my waist is absurdly small
for the size of my hips and shoulders. y
Innes wondered if it would be safe
to agree with her.
when will it be here?"
you'll be disappointed" Innes
found herself stammering. "But not
for six weeks. did not know whether
to order it or not"
"And 1 in Los Angeles with my sum
mer sewing all done! What good will
it do me then?" The pretty eyes
looked ready for childish tears.
81 know. That is, / didn't know
what to do apologized Innes Hardin
Il decided to order it as I'd found the
place, and was right there, but made
sure that 1 could countermand the or
der by telegram. So I can this very
afternoon. knew you would be dis
appointed. I was sorry"
'Tll need it next winter" admitted
Gerty, helping herself to some of tn,
chilled tomatoes. I'm s.re I'm mucl
obliged to you. hope it did not pu
you to much trouble"
| hn T,A Of fnr
mality again. Innes bent over he
plate.
what made you change your plans? =?
suddenly demanded his wife of Hardin
when Sam came in with your bag, h
surprised me so.''
MY boss kept me-" Hardin's fac
looked coarse, roughened by his ugl
passion. "Riclzard, your old friend
He served q subpoena on me at tn
station"
"Oh," cried Gerty. "Surely, he di
not do that, Tom!''
"Sure he did" Hardin's face wa
black with his evil mood. I'm only a
underling, a disgraced underling. He
my boss. He's going to make me RI
member it."
you mustn't say such things" pou
ed his wife. "If it does not hurt yol
if you do not care, think how l mus
feel"
"Oh, rotl' exclaimed Hardin. Th
veneer was rubbed down to the roug
wood. Innes saw the coarseness he
mother had complained of, the Cling
fiber.
81 suppose you think I like to tax
orders, to jump at the snap of IL
whip" He was deliberately beatiI