The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1919-10-02
CHAPTER xl-continued.

3
When they went down to the dining
room, he pronounced acceptable the
salmon salad, cold beef, cheese and
cake which Fanny made ready for
them without disturbing the servants.
The journey had fatigued Isabel, she
ate nothing, but sat to observe with
tired pleasure the manifestations of
her sons appetite, meanwhile giving
her sister-in-law q brief summary of
the events of commencement. But
presently she kissed them both good
Night and left aunt and nephew alone
together.
1T never was becoming to her to look
pale." Fanny said %absently, a few mo.
ments after Isabel's departure. II
suppose your mothers been being
pretty gayf Going a lot"
slow could she?" George asked
cheerfully. "In mourning, of course
all she could do was just sit around
and look on. That's all Lucy could do
either, for the matter Of that"
Il suppose so,"' his aunt assented.
"How did Lucy get home? Did you
drive out to their house with her be-
fore you came here?"
mo. She drove home with her IA
ther, of course"
"Oh. I see. So Eugene came to the
station to meet you"
"To meet us?" George echoed, re-
newing his attack upon the salmon
salad. "How could he?"
Il don't know what you mean."
Fanny said drearily. in the desolate
voice that had become her habit. II
haven't seen him while your mothers
been away"
Naturally" said George. "He's
been East himself"
At this Fanny's dropping eyelids
opened wide.
ibid you e him?"
swell. naturally, since he made the
trip home with u.s."
Fanny's eyelids. dropped, and she
sat silent until George pushed back his
chair and lit a cigarette, declaring his
satisfaction with what she had pro-
vtded. "You're q fine housekeeper,"
he said beneyolently. II don't believe
you'd stay single very long If some Of
the bachelors and widowers around
town could just once see"
Size did not hear him. "It's q little
odd" she said.
"What's odd?"
"Your mothers not mentioning that
MI. Morgan had been with you.".
Didn't think of it, I suppose" said
George carelessly; and, his benevolent
mood increasing. he conceived the idea
that a little harmless rallying might
serve to elevate his aunt's dropping
spirits. "Ill tell you something, in
confidence" he said solemnly.
She looked up, startled. "What?"
"Well. 1t struck me that Mr.; Nor
gan was looking pretty absent-minded,
most of the time; and he certainly is
dressing better than he used to. !
shouldn't be a bit surprised If all the
young fellow had been waiting for was
to know he had an assured income be-
fore he proposed"
what young fellow?"
"This young fellow Morgan" laughed
George. Honestly, Aunt Fanny, 1
shouldn't be a bit surprised to have
him request an interview with me any
day. and declare that his Intentions are
honorable, and ask my permission to
pay his addresses to you. What had I
better tell him?"
Fanny burst into tears.
"Good heavensw George cried. II
was only teasing. I didn't mean"
LET me alone" she said lifelessly;
and. continuing to weep. rose and be-
gan to clear away the china and silver.
George was distressed. II didn't
mean anything. Aunt Fannyi I didn't
know you'd got so sensitive as all
that"
you'd better go up to bed" she
said desolately, going on with her work
and her weeping.
He obeyed, and could still hear q
pathetic shifting from the dining room
as he went up the stairs.
"By Georgew he grunted, as he
reached his own room; and his thought
was that living with a person so sensi-
tive to kindly raillery might prove
iugubrious. He went to the window
and looked through the darkness to
The great silhouette of his GRANDPA,