The Ordway new era., 1919-11-28

in his room over his mlstreatment of
her!
"Oh. my Lord!" he whispered; then.
with a great effort, addressed her in a
reasonable tone: Look here. Aunt
Fanny; don't see what you're making
all this fuss about. OF course I know
I've teased you sometimes. but"
"Teased' meT she walled.
'Teased me! Oh, 1t does seem too
hard sometlmes-this mean old life of
mine does seem too hardl / don't
think I can stand it Honestly. I don't
think 1 can! 1 came in here just to
show you 1 sympathlzed with you
just to say something pleasant to you,
and you treat me as IL l were-oh, no.
you wouldn't treat n servant the way
you treat me You wouldn't treat any
body in the world like this except old
Fannyw
"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
us wretchedly during this operation as
befOe-a sight which gave George n
curious shock to add to his other agi-
tatlons. 1t seemed so strange.
you're so proud" she quavered.
land SO hard 1 tell you didn't mean
to speak of it to you. and 1 never.
never In the world would have told
you about 1t, nor have made the faint
est reference to 1t, IL I 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 myself7"
allow 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 say7" he asked In
credulously.
"Of course I understood what you
were doing" Fanny went on. drying her
handkerchief again. 1T puzzled other
people when you began to be rude to
yuu could treat him rs you did when
you were so interested in Lucy. But
L remembered how you came to me.
that other time when there was so
much talk about Isabel; and knew
you'd give Lucy up In a minute, II 1t
came to a question Of your mothers
reputation, because you said then
that"
Look here" George interrupted in
a shaking voice. Look here. I'd
like" He stopped. unable to go on.
his agitation was so great. His chest
heaved as from hard running. and his
complexion. pallid Mt first, had be-
come notified; fiery splotches appear
ing at his temples and cheeks. "What
do you mean by telling me-telllng me
there's talk about-about-" He
gulped. and began again: "What do
you mean by using such words as
'reputatlonr What do you mean.
speaking of question of my-my
mothers reputation"
Fanny looked up at him woefully
over the handkerchief which she now
applied to her Redeemed nose. God
knows I am sorry for you. George +"
she murmured. II wanted to say SO.
but It's only old Fanny, so whatever
she says-even when It's sympathy
pick on her for I'll" She sobbed. Its
only poor old lonely Fanny"
"You look herel" George said harsh
ly. "When l spoke to my Uncle
George after that rotten thing heard
Aunt Amelia say about my mother. he
said If there was any gossip 1t was
about you'll He said people might be
laughing about the way you ran after
Morgan. but that was ALL"
Fanny lifted her hands. clenched
them and struck them upon her knees.
ayes: It's always Fannyl" she sobbed
Ridiculous old Fanny-always. al.
ways"
"You llstenl" George said. AFTER
I'd talked to Uncle George saw you
and you said had a mean little mind
for thinking there might be truth In