Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1919-11-14

agement he was able to be explicit.
"She said my mother wanted you to be
friendly to her about Eugene Morgan.
She said my mother had been using
Aunt Fanny as a chaperone."
Anderson emitted a laugh of dis
gust. "It's wonderful what tommy-rot
a woman In state Of spite can think
of suppose you don't doubt that
Amelia Anderson created this speci-
men of tommy rot herself? OF all the
damn nonsense"
George looked at him haggardly.
"You're sure people are not talkingT
Rubbish Your mothers on my
side about this division because she
knows Sydney's pig and always has
been a pig, and so has his spiteful
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 SUPPOSED 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 fellowi" 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 1t 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 wouldn't tease hei
about this, If were you. Fanny hasn't
got much In her life. In fact, / 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 moi
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, George
crazy one, perhaps, If you've read Don
4 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 1t, except"
Except what?' George asked quick
ly, as he paused.
Except that I suspect" Anderson
chuckled, and began over: 'I'll tel
you in confidence. Fanny uses your
mother for a decoy duck. She does
everything in the world she can .tc
keep your mothers friendship witt
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 hel
chance may comet Therel D'yor
| see?"
] s"Wen--L suppose So" Georges
brow was still dark, however. 81
you're sure whatever talk there Is, Il
4 about Aunt Fanny. II that's So"
Don't be an ass" his uncle advised
him lightly, moving away. 'I'm Off fo
a weeks fishing to forget that woman
In there. and her pig Of husband.
Oils gesture toward tie Mansion indl
Gated Mr.. and Mrs. Sydney Amber
son. II recommend like course t
you. IL you're silly enough to puy an,
attention to such rubbishingsi Good
byr .
j George. was partially reaf
! sured, but still troubled: a word haunt
ed him like the recollection of nigh
mare. "Talkr'
! He walked rapidly toward HIS ow
front gate. The victoria was ther
with Fanny alone; she jumped on
! briskly and the victoria waited.
~where's mother7" George aske
sharply.
"At Lucy's. oniy came buck 70 g,
i some embroidery. because we foun
z the sun too hot for driving. 1 haven
fine to talk now, Georgia: Pm goir
II right Back. promised your mother
q sYtu listeni" laid George. I iss1
Il awhat on earth" $500 s9s-s
r he fSpeated what Amelia had sd
! This time. however. he spoke coldl