The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-01-22
CHAPTER xl-continued.


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-ln-lav brief summary OF
the events Of commencement But
presently she kissed them both good.
night and left aunt and nephew alone
together.
"It never was becoming 10 her TO look
pale" Fanny said absently. n few mo-
ments after lsabel's departure. 81
suppose your mothers been being
pretty gay? Going lotf'
"How could she?" George asked
cheerfully. I'm 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?"
"No. She drove home with her IA
ther. OF course"
'oh. ! see. SO Eugene came to the
station TO meet you"
'To meet usy" George echoed. re-
newing his attack upon the salmon
salad. "How could hep"
81 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 hlmf"
swell, naturally. since he made the
trip some with u.s."
Fanny's eyelids dropped and she
sat silent until George pushed back his
chair and III cigarette. declaring his
satisfaction with what she had pro-
vided. you're n fine housekeeper,"
he said benevolently. II don't believe
you'd stay single very long IL some OF
the bachelors and wldowers around
town could Just once see"
She did not hear him. "It's n little
odd" she said.
"Whnt's oddf"
"Your mothers not mentioning that
Mr.. Morgan had been with you"
Didn't think % II. suppose" said
George carelessly; and. his benevolent
mood increasing. he conceived the idea
that little harmless Tallying might
serve to elevate his aunt's dropping
spirits. "rll tell you something, in
confidence" he said solemnly.
She looked up. startled. "whatT
swell, II struck me that Mr.. Nor
gan was looking pretty absentmlnded.
most OF the time; and he certainly is
dressing better than he used to. /
shouldn't be bit surprised II all the
young fellow had been waiting for was
TO know he had an assured income be-
fore he proposed"
"What young fellowr"
"Thls 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
better tell hlm2"
Fanny burst into tears.
Good heavensl" George cried. "I
was only teasing. 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 / didn't
know you'd got so sensitive as all
that"
You'd better 20 up to bed" she
said desolately, going on with her work
and her weeping.
He obeyod. and could stln hear a
pathetic shifting from the dining room
as he went up the stairs.
"By Georgew he grunted. 1s he
reached his own room and his thought
was that living with person so sensi-
tive TO kindly raillery might prove
lugubrious. He went to the window
and looked through the darkness TO
the great silhouette OF his grandfa,