The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1919-10-04


don't you suppose? Well, they're IN
rage because sydney always could do
what he liked with father unless your
mother interfered, and they know | got
Isabel to ask him not to do what they
wanted. That's all there is to it.
"But she said" George persisted
"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
allotted 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 don't know
that | blame her, myself, for using
your mother the way she does"
"How do you meanT'
Anderson put his hand on Georges
shoulder. You like To tease Fanny,
he said. ''but | wouldn't tease her
about this, if We're 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 life-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 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 1t. 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 IA 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 heT
chance may come, There! D'you
see?"
"Well-l suppose So" Georges
brow was still dark. however. III
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 fol
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
SOM IL recommend a like course t
, YOU, if you're silly enough TO pay an.
attention to such furnishings! Good
5 by"
[ George was partially reas
5 sured. but still troubled: word haunt
;. ed him like the recollection of a night
n mare. Talk"
r He walked rapidly toward his ow
I front gate. The victoria was Their
e with Fanny alone; she jumped on
briskly and the victoria waited.
e where's mother?" George aske
5. sharply.
I, AT Lucy's. only came back to &c
It some embroidery. because we foun
the sun too hot for driving. I haven
r time to talk now. George; I'm gOin
n right back. l promised your mother
l. "You listen!" said George.
% "What on earth"
He repeated what Amelia had sal
This time, however. he spoke coldl
hibited during the recital to his uncle
m Fanny was the one who showed agit
10 ton during this interview, for 81
At grew fiery red, and her eyes dilate
" what on earth do you want TO bril-
T. such trash to me for?" she demande
re breathing fast.
10 81 merely wished to know tv
v. things: whether il is your duty
mine to speak to father of what Au
M Amelia"
If Fanny stamped her foot. "You l
II tie fool! she cried. You awful lit
. fooll Your fathers sick man, al
IN you want to go troubling him with ;
r. Anderson family row! It's just VIII
IL. that cat would love you to dor
be 'Well, +"
n. Tell your father II you like!
~ will only make him a little sicker
think he's got son silly enough
C. listen to such craziness !"
OF Then you're sure there isn't a
,k talkT
at Fanny dlsdained reply in wor,
f. She made kissing sound Of utter &C
he tempt and snapped her fingers. tn
she asked scornfully: whats I
". other thing you wanted to known"
r. Georges pallor increased. ''whetf
nv II mightn't be better. under the C
he cumstances," he said. If this fam