Okolona messenger., 1920-01-01

| pcEbOu WOuAu De JubS4uoO III DetuB.
friend Of one member Of a family ant
feeling anything but friendly towarC
another. I don't say, though, that
feel unfriendly to Mr.. Morgan. dom
say that feel friendly to him, and
don't say that I feel unfrlendly; bu
II you really think that l was rude t.
him tonight"
"Just thoughtless, dear. You didn't
see that what you said tonight"
"Well, III not say anything of that
sort again where he can. hear it.
There, isn't that enOugh2"
"But, George" she said earnestly
"you would like him, If you'd just let
yourself. You say you don't dislike
him. Why don't you like hir7 can't
understand at all. What is it that you
don't"
"There, there!" he said. IT'S all
right, and you toddle along"
"But, George"
Nov, now! really do want to get
into bed Goodnight, old lady"
"But, George, dear"
"Pm going to bed, old lady so good
night"
Thus the interview closed perforce.
She kissed him again before going
"You did right" Fanny said with a
vehemence not the less spirited be-
cause she suppressed her voice almost
to whisper. "You did exactly
right You're behaving splendidly
about the whole thing, and want to
tell you I know your father would
thank you If he could see what you're
doing"
my Lord" !" George broke out at her.
"YOu make me dizzy! For heavens
sake quit the mysterious detective
business-at least do quit 1t around
me Go and try it on somebody else,
If you like; but don't want to hear
itw \
She began to tremble, regarding him
with a fixed gaze. "You don't care to
hear, then" she said huskily, that /
approve Of what you're doing?"
Certainly not! Since 1 haven't the
faintest idea what you think I'm do
ing naturally don't care whether
you approve OF 1t or not. All I'd like,
If you please Is to be alone. I'm not
giving a. tea here, this afternoon, If
you'll permit me, to mention It'll"
Fanny's gaze wavered; she began
to blink; then suddenly she sank into
"a chair and wept silently, but with a
terrible desOlation.
b, "Oh, for. the Lords sakeW he
moaned. "What in the world is wrong
with your,
"YOu're always picking on me-" she
quavered wretchedly, her voice indfs-
tinct with the Yetness that bubbled in
to it from her tears. "YOu do--yOu
always pick on me! You've always
done it-always-ever since you were
a little boy! Whenever anything goes
wrong with you, you take it out on
me! You do! You always"
George flung to heaven a gesture of
despair; it seemed to him the last
straw that Fanny should have chosen
this particular time to come and sob
in his room over his mistreatment Of
herl
''Oh, my Lord r. he whispered; then,
with a great effort, addressed her In a
reasonable tone: Look here, Aunt
Fanny; don't see what you're making
all this fuss about. OF course 1 know
I've teased you sometimes, but"
"Teased' meY' she walled. !
" 'Teased' me! Oh, it does seem too |
hard sometimes-thism mean old life of
mine does seem too hard! l don't |
think can stand it! Honestly, don't
think can! l came in here just to
show you l sympathized with YOU
just to say something pleasant to you,
and you treat me as If werG-Oh, no,
you wouldn't treat servant the way
you treat ne You wouldn't treat any
body in The world like this except old
FannyH
"Oh, my Lord ~ George groaned
Fanny spread out her small, soaked
and shook it in the air
to dry it little, crying as damply and
rs wretchedly during this operation as
0efCre-a sight which gave George
curious shock to add to his other agi-
.ations, it seemed so strange.
you're so proud" she quavered,
and so hard tell you l didn't mean
% speak of it to you, and never,
never in the world would have told
you about it, nor have made the faint
,st reference to it, If hadn't seen that
else had told you, or you'd
Ound out for yourself some way.
-
In despair Of her intelligence, and
n some doubt of his own, George
truck the palms of his hands together
Somebody else had told me what?
d found what out for myself?"
"How people are talking about your
nother."
Except for the incidental teariness
f her voice, her tone was CASUAL as
hOugh she mentioned a subject pre-
iOusly discussed and understood;
or Fanny had no, doubt that George
ad only pretended to be mystified be-
ause, in his pride, he would not in