Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1919-12-04

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 a brief summary Of
the events Of commencement. But
presently she kissed them both good
night and left aunt and nephew alone
together.
"It never vas becoming to her to look
pale" Fanny said absently, a few mo-
ments after Isabels departure. 81
suppose your mothers been being
pretty gay? Going a lot?"
"How could shew 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"
II 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
Their, of course"
ooh, I see. So Eugene came to the
station to meet you"
'To meet u.s." George echoed, re-
newing his attack upon the salmon
salad. GLOW could he?"
II don't know what you mean,"
Fanny said drearily, in the desolate
voice that had become her habit. 81
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.
"Did you see 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-
vided. you're a fine housekeeper,'
he said benevolently. II don't believe
you'd stay single very long if some of
the bachelors and widowers around
town could just once see"
She did not hear him. cts a little
odd" she said.
whats odd?
"Your mothers not mentioning that
Mr.. Morgan had been with you"
"Didn't think of it, I suppose sale
George c%arelessly; and, his benevolent
mood increasing, he conceived the ides
that a little harmless rallying NIGH
serve to elevate his aunt's dropping
spirits. "Ill tell you something, il
confidence" he said solemnly.
She looked up, startled. "What?"
sWell, it struck me that Mr.. Nor
gan was looking pretty absent-minded
most of the time; and he certainly il
dressing better than he used to.
shouldn't be a bit surprised if all tn
young fellow had been waiting for wa
to know he had an assured income be
fore he proposed"
"What young fel1ow?'"
"This young fellow Morgan laughed
George. Honestly, Aunt Fanny,
shouldn't be a bit surprised to hav
him request an interview with me an,
day, and declare hat his intentions ar
honorable, and ask my permission t
pay his addresses to you. What had
better tell him?",
Fanny burst into tears.
"Good s~eavens!" George cried. y"
was only teasing. I didn't mean"
ST o+ ,,o o1oraS che cold 1ifa1occl,
and, continuing to weep, rose and be
gan to clear away the china and silver
George was distressed. 81 didn'
mean anything, Aunt Fanny! I didn'
know you'd got so sensitive as al
that"
"You'd better go up to bed" Silt
said desolately, going on with her worl
and her weeping.
He obeyed, and could still hear ?;
pathetic shifting from the dining roon
as he went up the stairs.
"By George!" he grunted, as III
reached his own room F; and his though
was that living with a person so sensi
tive. to kindly raillery might prov
lugubrious. He went to the window
and booked through the darkness t
the great silhouette of his GRANDPA
theirs house. Lights were burning owe
there, upstairs; probably his newt
arrived uncle was engaged in talk witt
the Major.
Georges glance lowered, resting cas-
, ually upon the indistinct ground, AM
he beheld some vague shapes, unfa
miliar to him. Formless heaps, the
seemed; but, without much curiosity
he supposed that sewer connections o
e water pipes might be out Of order
t making necessary some excavations
| Not greatly disturbed, he pulled dow
the shade, yawned, and began to III
/, dress, leaving further investigation 70
the morning.
But in the morning he had forgotten
!, all about it, and raised his shade, t
let in the light, without even glancin
ii L---l -kL-I-LA4ll- L.