The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1919-10-24

Deen u pig, anu SO mas MS SplIeIul
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 a
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
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
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 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 I 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 life-and-
| death to her, I 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: "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. "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
weeks fishing to forget that woman
in there, and her pig Of q husband
(His gesture toward the Mansion indi-
Gated Mr.. and Mrs. Sydney Amber.
son. 81 recommend like course to
you, if you're silly enough to pay any
attention to such Furnishings! Good
byw
George was partially reas-
sured, but still troubled: word haunt
ed him like the recollection Of a night.
! mare. "Talk I"
He walked rapidly toward his own
front gate. The victoria was there
with Fanny alone; she jumred out
briskly and the victoria waited.
where's motherT George asked
sharply.
"At Lucy's. 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 listenp 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.
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
fooll 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, L"
'Tell your father If you likei It
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 disdained reply in words.
She made a kissing sound of utter con-
tempt and snapped her fingers. Then
she asked scornfuily: whats the
other thing you wanted to know?"
Georges pallor increased. whether
1t mightn't be better, under the cir.
cumstances," he said. 'ff this family