Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1919-09-12

wife. I'm trying to keep them from
getting the better Of your mother as
well as from getting the better Of me
don't you suppose? Well, they're in q
rage because Sydney always could dc
what he liked with father unless your
mother interfered, and they know 1 got
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 fellowW 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
abetted it myself. Fanny was always
languishing 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 l don't know
that 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 1 wouldn't tease her
about this, if were you. Fanny hasn't
got much In her life. In fact, l 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, l 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 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
there is to it, except"
Except what?" George asked quick
ly, as he paused.
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
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! Dyou
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. I'm off for
a weeks fishing to forget that woman
in there, and her pig of husband"
ellis gesture toward the Mansion indi-
Gated Mr.. and Mrs. Sydney Amber
SON. II recommend a like course to
you, if you're silly enough to pay any
attention to such furnishings Good
by"
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
briSIly and the victoria waited.
"Wheres mother?' George asked
sharply.
AT Lucys. only came back to get
some embroidery, because we found
the sun too hot for driving. I 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 dlated
"What on earth do you want to bring
such trash to me for?" she demanded,
breathing fast.
81 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 fool" she cried. you awful little
fool Your fathers sick man, and
you want to 20 troubling him with an
Anderson family row. It's just what
that cat would love you to do"
"Well I"
"Tell your father if you likel 1t
will only make him a little sicker to
think he's got son silly enough to
listen to such craziness !"
"Then you're sure there isn't any
TALK"
Fanny dlsdained a 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?"