The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1919-11-14
CHAPTER XIV.

He went to his room, threw OFF his
coat, waistcoat. collar and tie. letting
them lie where they CHANGED to fall,
and then, having violently enveloped
himself in q black velvet dressing
gown, continued this action by lying
down with a vehemence that brought
a wheeze of protest from his bed. His
repOse was only u momentary sem
bIance, however, for 1t lasted no long
er than the time it took him to groan
"Riffraff!" between his teeth. Then he
sar up. swung his feet to the floor, rose
and began to pace up and down the
large RI I'm.
He had Just been consciously rude
to his mother for the first time in his
life; for. with all his riding down of
ptpuIace and riffraff. he had never be-
fore been either deliberately or i'm
puisively disregardful Of her. But
now he had done rough thing to her
and he did not repent; the rather he
was the more irritated with her. And
when he heard her presently go by his
door with light step. singing cheer
fully to herself as she went to her
room. he perceived that she had mis-
faken his intention altogether. or. in
deed. had failed to perceive that he
had any intention at all.
There came a delicate, eager tap
Dug at his door, not done with a
kmuckle but with the tip of finger
natl. which was instantly clarified to
Georges minds eye as plainly as II he
saw It: the long and polished white
nooneL pink shield on the end Of his
Auot Fanny's right forefinger. But
George was in no mood for human
communications. and even when things
went well he had little pleasure in
Fauny's society. Therefore it is moi
surprising that at the sound of hei
tapping, instead of bidding her enter
he Immediately crossed the room will
the intention OF locking the door tt
keep her out.
Fanny was too eager and, openini
tine door before he reached it, CAM
quickly in. and closed it behind her
had just seen something extraordinar.
or heard thrilling news.
"NOw, what on earth do you want?
her chilling nephew demanded.
George" she said hurriedly, II say
what you did when you couldn't spea
to them. 1 was sitting with Mrs. John
son nt her front window, across tn
street, and l saw 1t ALL"
swell. what of it?"
"You did right" Fanny said with
vehemence not the less spirited bt
cause she suppressed her voice almos
to a whisper. "You did exactl
right! You're behaving splendid
about the whole thing, and I want
tell you / know your father woul
thank you IL he could see what your
doing"
my Lord !" George broke out at he
"You make me dizzyl For heaven
sake quit the mysterious detectiy
business-At least do quit it aroun
mel Go and try it on somebody els
il you like; but l don't want to hes
tl"
She began to tremble, regarding hi
with fixed gaze. "You don't care
hear, them" she said huskily, that
approve of what you're doing?"
Certainly not! Since 1 haven't tt
faintest idea what you think Pm d
Ing naturally / don't care whetht
you approve of 1t or not. All I'd lik
II you please, is to be alone. I'm M
giving a tea here, this afternoon,
you'll permit me to mention It'll"
Fanny's gaze wavered; she bega
to bllnk: then suddenly she sank I'M
a chair and wept silently, but with
terrible desOlation.
"Oh. for the Lords sake" /
moaned. "What In the world is wror
with your"
you're always picking on me-" 81
Quavered wretchedly, her voice indf
tinct with the wetness that bubbled II
to 1t from her tears. "You do-yo
always pick on me! You've alway
done it--always-ever since you wer
a little boy! Whenever anything goe
wrong with you, you take 1t out o
me! You do! You always"
George flung to heaven gesture {
despnir; 1t seemed to him the lat
straw that Fanny should have chose
this particular time to come and 20