The Connecticut labor press., 1919-10-18


 been a pig, and so has his sp1teful wife. I'm trying to keep them from getting the better of your mother as we'll as from getting the better of me, 1 don't you suppose? We'll, they're in a rage because Sydney always could do what he liked with father unless your mother interfered, and they know got l Isabel to ask him not to do what they wanted. That's all there Is to it."
 "But she said" George persisted wretchedly; "she said there was talk. She said"
 | Look here, young fellow!" Amber son laughed good-naturedly. ''There probably is some harmless talk about the way your Aunt Fanny goes after poor Eugene, and I've no doubt I've 1 abetted it myself. Fanny was always langui>hing at him. twenty-odd years ago, before he left here. Well, we can't blame the poor thing if she's got her hopes up again, and I 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 I 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 Flu gene. She's always had it-and what's funny to us is pretty much life-and- death to her, I suspect. Now, I'll not deny that Eugene Morgan is attracted 1 to your mother. He is; and that's an other case of always was; but know him, and he's q knight, George-a crazy one, perhaps, If you've read Don ! Quixote.' And I 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 l there is to it, except"
 Except what?" George asked quick | ly, as he paused.
 l Except that suspect" Anderson chuckled, and began over: "Ill 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 I 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 comeI There! D'you see?'
 "Well-I suppose so." Georges brow was still dark, however. 'If 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. "Pm off for a weeks fishing to forget that woman in there, and her pig of a husband.' (His gesture toward the Mansion indi- cated MT. and Mrs. Sydney Amber son. II recommend like course to you, if you're silly enough to pay any attention to such rubbishings! Good by!"
 George was partially reas- sured. but still troubled: word haunt ed him like the recollection of night ! mare. "Talk!"
 He walked rapidly toward his own
 
 with Fanny alone; she jumped out briskly and the victoria waited.
 "Where's motherY George asked sharply.
 At Lucy's. I only came back to get some embroidery, because we found the sun too hot for driving. I haven't time to talk now, Georgie; 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 aglta- tion 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.
 "I merely wished to know two things: whether it is your duty or mine to speak to father of what Aunt i Amelia"
 Fanny stamped her foot. "You lit tie fool '" she cried. "You awful little | foolI Your fathers a sick man, and you want to go troubling him with an Anderson family row! It's just what that cat would love you to do!' "Well, T."
 ''Tell your father if you like! It will only make him a little sicker to think he's got a son silly enough to 1 listen to such craziness !'
 ''Then you're sure there isn't any talk?"
 Fanny disdained a reply in words. She made hissing sound of utter con- tempt and snapped her fingers. Then she asked scornfully: Whats the other thing you wanted to know?" l Georges pallOr increased. "Whether 1t mightn't be better, under the cir cumstances," he said, If this family