The Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 191?-19??, 1919-08-20

room. he pronounced acceptable the
salmon salad. cala hgef. cheese and
cake which Fanny made ready for
them without disturbing the servants.
The journey had fatigued Isabel she
ate nothing, but sat to observe with
tired pleasure the manifestations Of
her sons appetite, meanwhile giving
her sister-in-law a brief summary Of
the events OF commencement. But
presently she kissed them both good
night and left aunt and nephew alone
together.
ut never was becoming to her to look
pale" Fanny said absently, few mo-
ments after Isabel's departure. II
suppose your mothers been being
pretty gay? Going lot?"
slow 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 here?"
mo. She drove home with her ia
Their, of course"
"Oh, see. So Eugene came to the
station to meet YOU"
ITO meet Us?" George echoed. re
newing his attack upon the salmon
salad t'How could ha7p
81 don't know what you mean"
Fanny said drearily, in the desolate
voice that had become her habit. II
haven't seen him while your mothers
been away"
Naturally" said George. "He's
been East himself"
At this Fanny's dropping eyelids
opened wide.
did you see him?"
swell, naturally, since he made the
trip home with u.s."
Fanny's eyelids drooped, and she
sat silent until George pushed back his
chair and lit a cigarette, declaring his
satisfaction with what she had pro-
vided. you're a fine housekeepeS
he said beneyolently "I 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. "It's little
odd" she said.
"What's Odd?"
'Your mothers not mentioning that
Mr.. Morgan had been with you"
didn't think Of 1t, 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. f"Tll tell you something, in
confidence" he said solemnly.
She looked up, startled. what"
"Well, it struck me that Mr.. Nor
gan was looking pretty absent-minded,
most of the time; and he certainly is
dressing better than he used to. ]
shouldn't be bit surprised If all the
| young fellow had been waiting for was
to know he had an assured income be-
fore he proposed"
"What young fellowT"
"ThiS young fellow Morgan" laughed
George. Honestly, Aunt Fanny, l
shouldn't be a bit surprised to have
him request an interview with me any
day, and declare that his intentions are
honorable, and ask my permission to
pay his addresses to you. What had l
better tell him"
Fanny burst into tears.
"Good Aeavensr George cried ~
was only teasing. / didn't mean"
'Let me alone" she said tfelessiy (;
and, continuing to weep, ross and he
gan to clear away the china and silver
George was distressed. II didn't
mean anything, Aunt Fanny! didn't
know you'd got so sensitive as al
| that"
"You'd better go up to- bed" she
said desolateIy, going on with her worE
and her weeping.
He obeyed, and could still hear
pathetic shifting from the dining room
as he went up the stairs.
"By George!" he grunted. as HI
reached his own room; and his though
T, was that living with person so sensi
tive to kindly raillery might prove
lugubrious. He went to the window
and looked through the darkness Il
the great silhouette of his GRANDPA
theirs house. Lights were burning Owe
there, upstairs; probably his newl!
{ arrived uncle was engaged in talk witt
| the Major
Georges glance lowered, resting cas-
ually upon the indlstinct ground, anC
he beheld some vague shapes, unfa
miIiar to him. Formless heaps, the!
seemed; but, without much curiosity
he supposed that sewer connections OF
water pipes might be out Of order
making necessary some excavations
! Not greatly disturbed, he pulled do#I
the shade. yawned, and began to I'm
dress, leaving further investigation fol
the morning.
| But in the morning he had forgotten
all about it, and raised his shade, t
fohF oEH