The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1920-04-02
CHAPTER XIV.
80

C0APV86 XIV.
10
He went to his room, threw of his
coat. waistcoat. collar and tie, letting
them lie where they CHANGED to fall,
and then. having violently enveloped
himself in a black velvet dressing.
gown. continued this action by lying
down with q vehemence that brought
q wheese Of protest from his bed. His
repose was only q mOmentary SEM
blance, however. for It lasted no long.
er than the time It took him to groan
"Riffraff!" between his teeth. Then he
sat up. swung his feet to the floor. rose
and began to pace up and down the
large room.
He had just been consciously rude
to his mother for the first time in his
life; for, with all his riding down Of
populace and riffraff, he had never be-
fore been either deliberately or Inn
pulsively disregardful of her. But
now he had done rough thing to her !;
and he did not repent; the rather he
was the more irritated with her. And
when he heard her presently 60 by his
door with light step, singing cheer.
fully to herself as she went to her
room. he perceived that she had mis-.
taken his intention altogether. or. in
deed. had failed to perceive that he
had any intention Mt all.
There came a delicate, eager tap
ping at his door, not done with a
knuckle but with the tip of a finger.
nail. which was instantly clarified to
Georges minds eye as plainly as IL he
saw It: the long and polished white
mooned pink shield on the end Of his
Aunt Fanny's right forehnger. But
George was In no mood for human
communications. and even when things
went well he had little pleasure In
Fanny's society. Therefore It is not
surprising that at the sound Of her
tapping. instead Of bidding her enter,
he Immediately crossed the room with
the intention Of locking the door to
keep her out.
Fanny was too eager and. opening
the door before he. reached 1t, came
quickly In. and closed it behind her.
Her look was that of person who
had just seen something extraordinary
Or heard thrilling news.
"N0w. what on earth do you wantT
her chilling nephew demanded.
George" she said hurriedly. II saw
what You did when you couldn't speak
to them. ! was sitting with Mrs. John
son at her front window. across the
street. and saw It ALL"
"Well. what Of it?'
'You did right I" Fanny said with
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 I want to
tell you know your father would
thank you II he could see what you're
doing"
my Lordw George broke out at her.
You make mo diszy! For heavens
sake quit the mysterious detective
least do quit It around
ne! Go and try 1t on somebody else,
Z you like: but I don't want to hear
I'll"
She began to tremble. regarding him
With dxed gaze. you don't care to
hear. then" she said huskily. ''that I
approve Of what you're doing1'
Certainly mott Since I haven't the
laintest idea what you think I'm do
n.y. naturally l don't care whether
ron approve Of It or not. All I'd IKE.
Z you please. IL to be alone. I'm not
giving . tea here. this afternoon. IL
vou'll permit me to mention IT."
Fanny's gaze wavered: she began
% blink; then suddenly she sank into
! chair and wept silently. but with q
terrible desolatiou.
"Oh. for the Lords sake!" he
"What In the world II wrong
With your
"You're always picking on me-" she
luavered wretchedly. her voice indis-
.snct With the wetness that dubbed in
. It from her tears. "You do-you
Always pick on me! You've always
None it-always-ever since you we're
J little boy! Whenever anything goes
wrong with you. You take It out On
ne! You dol Ton always"
George dung to heaven Q ocsture Of
sespair: It seemed to him the last
straw that Fanny should have chosen
his rartieular tiine. 20 come ard cob