Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1919-10-21

her hopes up again, and l don't know
that I blame her, myself, for using
your mother the way she does"
''How do you mean|
Anderson put his hand on Georges
shoulder. you like to tease Fanny"
he said, "but / wouldn't tease her
about this, if were you. Fanny hasn't
got much in her life. In fact, don't
know of anything much that Fanny
has got, except her feeling about Eu-
gene. She's always had it-and what's
funny to us is pretty much llfe-and-
death to her. suspect. Now, I'll not
deny that Eugene Morgan is attracted
to your mother. He is; and that's an
other case of always was;' but / know
him, and he's a knight, Georgia
crazy one, perhaps, if you've read Don
Quixote.' And / think your mother
likes him better than she likes any
man outside her own family, and that
he interests her more than anybody
else-and always has, And that's all
there is to it, except"
Except what?" George asked quick
~, as he paused.
Except that l suspect" Anderson
chuckled, and began over: "Pll tell
you in confidence. Fanny uses your
mother for a decoy duck. She does
everything in the world she can to
keep your mothers friendship with
Eugene going, because she thinks
that's what keeps Eugene about the
place, so to speak. Fanny's always
with your mother, you see and when
ever he sees Isabel he sees Fanny
Fanny thinks he'll get used to the idea
of her being around, and some day her
chance may come! There! D'you
see?"
"Well-I suppose So" Georges
brow was still dark, however. "Ii
you're sure whatever talk there is, is
about Aunt Fanny. If that's So"
Don't be an ass" his uncle advised
him lightly, moving away. 'Tm off for
weeks fishing to forget that woman
in there. and her pig of a husband
(His gesture toward the Mansion indi.
Gated Mr.. and Mrs. Sydney Amber
SON. 81 recommend a like course to
you, if you're silly enough to pay any
attention to such furnishings! Good
byr
George was partially reas
sured, but still troubled word haunt
ed him like the recollection of a night
mare. "Talk ~
He walked rapidly toward his own
front gate. The. victoria was there
! with Fanny alone; she jumped out
briskly and the victoria waited.
Where's mother?" George asked
sharply.
"At Lucy's. 1 only came back to get
some embroidery, because we found
the sun too hot for driving. 1 haven't
time to talk now, George; I'm going
right back. promised your mother"
"You listen!" said George.
"What on earth"
He repeated what Amelia had said
This time, however, he spoke coldly
and without the emotion he had ex-
hibited during the recital to his uncle
Fanny was the one who showed agita-
ton during this interview, for she
grew fiery red, and her eyes dilated
what on earth do you want to bring
such trash to me for?" she demanded
breathing fast.
II merely wished to know two
things: whether it is your duty or
mine to speak to father of what Aunt
Amelia"
Fanny stamped her foot. you lit
tie foolw she cried. You awful little
fooli Your fathers sick man, and
you want to go troubling him with an
Anderson family row! It's just what
that cat would love you to dor
'Well, l."
'aTell your father If you like! 1t
will only make him a little sicker to
think he's got a son silly enough to
listen TO such craziness :"
''rhen you're sure there isn't any
talk?"
Fanny disdained reply in words.
She made kissing sound of utter con-
tempt and snapped her fingers. Then
she asked scornfully: whats the
other thing you wanted to know?"
Georges pallor increased. Whether
II mightn't be better, under the cir
cumStanees," he said, eff this family
were not so intimate with the Morgan
family-at least for a time. Ii might
be better"
Fanny stared at him incredulously.
You mean you'd quit seeing Lucy?"
Il hadn't thought of that side OF II,
but If such thing were necessary on
account OF talk about my mother, l.
+" He hesitated unhappily. 81 sug-
gested that if all of us-for a time
perhaps only for a time--it might be
better if"
See here she interrupted. wen
settle this nonsense right now. If Eu-
gene Morgan comes TO this house, for
instance, to see me. your mother can't
get up and leave the place the minute
he gets here. can she? What do you
want her to do: insult him? Or per-
haps you'd prefer she'd insult Lucy?
That would do just as well. What is
il you're up TO. anyhow Do you really
love your Aunt Amelia so much that
you want to please herr Or do you
really hate your Aunt Fanny so much
that you want to-that you want to-"
She choked and sought for her hand
kerchief; suddenly she began to cry.
''Oh. see here" George said Il don't
hate you. Aunt Fanny. That's silly. L
don't
you dol You do You want to-
you want TO destroy the only thing
fhsr That I nver-n And 7uahlo s,,