Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-03
CHAPTER XIV.


After luncheon. Miss Bane ush-
cred in the children, immamulate and
rigid, as though they moved in a
spotles5 xistence; Rudolph, Junior
aged 6, and Doris, who, at the age
of 8, was shooting up so rapidly
that Irma never saw her without
feeling that she was doing it on pur-
pose. Under the directing eye OF
Miss Bane, they made the rounds of
the table, gravely performing precise
courtesies and arrived finally before
their mother, whom they contem-
plated in wondering admiration. as
il she were some strange fairy prin-
cess. Irm gathered them in impul-
sively, one under each arm, and en-
braced them rapturously.
Mon Amour, from his high chair
specially made, began to bark in
angry thin yapping.
There, there; l won't kiss them
any more" said Irma soothingly.
Did it make him jealous? No; he
shan't be teased."
"And how old are you, dear?" said
Amy to Doris.
Eleven, going on H." said that
young lady innocently.
What" exclaimed Mrs. Della
barre, in a shrek. who told you
to say that? Tell me at once, Doris
at once"
"Mr Laracy," said the child, look
ing frightened.
"Mr. Laracy is very impertinent
person." said Irma, looking daggers
at that young joker, who had retired
in commissions of mirth behind his
plate. But as the laugh was general,
she yielded to it. Gap, III never
forgive you-she's quite too enor-
nous as it isw
why mother?" said Doris, open
ing her eyes.
Never mind, my dear" said the
mother. Nov be good children
and behave properly, and don't sit
down in the grass" she added I'M
pressively.
The children nodded solemnly
and went out The next moment,
they heard them whooping joyfully
as they ran out to the motor.
r At 5 o'clock the motors were
brought out for a run into the city.
Laracy, in the runabout, shot ahead
with Mrs. Challoner, while Tody
Dawson, at the wheel Of the great
touring car, directed the slowing of
the yalises, and a copious supply of
rugs against the return home.
what about Mr.. Challoner?" said
Amy, who found herself in the back
seat with Kitty Lightbody.
Jack? My, you are an innocent
little thingp said Mrs. Lightbody,
rolling her large china eyes. Take
husbands along! Say, child, we're
out for 4 good time" She began to
hum merrily to herself, wagging her
head in time with her feet, which
had already begun to dance. "Lordy
me, I'm just expiring for zone real
spree"
But there are not enough men
to go around, it seems to me-" said
Amy, concealing her amusement.
Mrs. Lightbody looked at her with
little suspicion.
Didn't Irma tell you? Charlie
Pardee and Captain Barrisdale are
going to join us"
Pm really quite country mouse"
said Amy maliciously, for she had
certain scores to settle: you must
help me not to make any mistakes"
In what way?"
"Tell me who belongs to whom.
| don't want to make an enemy of
Mrs ,Challoner. Is it Pardee or
Barrisdale?"
Kitty laughed, looked quite Aus
tered, laughed again nervously, and
finally made UP her mind to ex-
plain.
Charlie Pardee is Gladys's prop
erty," she said.
Irma's?"
Il guess notl" said Kitty Light
body vehemently.
"Oh, | see~ said Amy, laughing.
Il was dense, wasn't II"
when | say property" said
Mrs. Lightbody, hesitating between
two fears, either to appear too rapid
or not rapid enough.
"Oh, | understand, perfectly. All
right; won't trespess."
"0f course. when ! say prop
erty," said Mrs. Lightbody, looking
little worried, that's just an ex-
preston"
Now she's going to explain"
thought Amy, and She waited with
delight while her companion foun-
dered on.
"Of course, my dear, it's all inno-
cent enough, at least on my part.
What Gladys does, the Lord knowsl
You can't stop all Irritation just be-
cause you're married-can your
Evidently moi"
my dear, that would be too bore
some. 1t would make us hate mar
riage, wouldn't it," said Mrs. Light
body, who prided herself on sense
of logic. "Of course, you're just
bride, and that's different. But af-
ter you're married a year or two,
you can't be going around all alone
where other women are, can you?