The Washington herald., 1921-03-20

ing the back Of his chair and pointing a
tense arm at red haired Helen Bray. who
faced him with her head thrown back. her
brown eyes unwavering. When George
Hiram and his mother reached the front
door she was saying:
Don't yell at me. you horrid. wicked
old man ! am not afraid of you! I'm not
one of your relations"
You're worser shouted the patriarch
You're a sneaking sentimentalist, coming
to me to get influence you haven't earned.
A dead beat, that's what you are. wanting
me to get you pupils, not because you
know how to teach, but because. for few
weeks, 1 made a fool of myself over your
mother. Get out of my house, and before
I'm through I'll drive you out of town"
I'm going" the girl said, mot, as say,
because I'm afraid of you. but because /
hate to be near i'll bred Doors. My mother
Tilted you becadse you were a boor and a
tyrant. and I'm g,sd She did! And don't
you think you can drive me out Of this
town. You don't own It all"
She turned and walked down the steps.
George Hiram shot after her. for. despite
her dehant words, he had seen that her
lips and her hands were trembling. His
mother stretched a OBTAINING arm after
him In vain.
George Hiram. sir" doomed the pstri-
arch. come back here!'
George-Hiram walked on beside Helen.
Yes, go back".said Helen. in a trem-
bling voice. Cant you hear your master
calling you? Go back
ALLOW me to escort you to the gate"
said George Hiram. Il can't tell you how
sorry-
{ Helen paused long enough to stamp her
foot
I want to be alone?"
81 know that" said George-Hiram. help
Iessly. "but somehow I've got to take you
as far as the gate"
They walked on a few PAGES in silence
and then Helen said: Miserable old devil!''
"old, you know" George-Hiram said;
I'VE have to excuse old people, because.
think of the bad luck they're in because
they're not young"
20, yes" she jeered, Il wonder how long
you'd excuse him IL he wasn't rich? II he
had no money, that old man would be peel
ing potatoes in your mothers kitchen,
with no one to snap at but the cat. where
as now he's got twelve cowardly nephews
and nieces and four scared to death sis
ters" .. g..
George Hiram colored.: This red headed
Helen certainly had a shrewish tongue. He
made no answer, calculating, with relief,
the few PAGES that remained between
themselves and the front gate.
I'll thought she was a peach while
ago" he thought, Il take 1t back. She
may be a peach. but she's picked one"
At the gate Adam appeared.
"well, Adam" said Helen in a nasty
tone, been skulking in the shrubbery?"
IT told you not to go to HIM" Adam al
Z most walled. Il told you
20, Adam" she said. sadly, what you
didn't tell me was that you were cow
ard"
You don't understand" said Adam, hur-
riedIy.
Helen evidently wanted to understand
: for she turned to George Hiram and
stamping her foot for the second time, she
shrilled, 60 away"
George Hiram went, rapidly. As he hur'
ried toward the house he reflected:
"Gosh. she must be fond of Adam! And
gosh, What temper! I guess uncle wal
we'll out of il that he didn't marry hei
mother He's had a plessanter time with
us-bullying US. she'd say
Half way down the walk his mother met
him.
20. Georeie." she whispered; hes ter
ribly angry! You must go to him at onc'
and apologize. I don't know what you'll
say, I'm sure
oeoree-Hiram stood stock still in the
path. He was Of a very easy temper. But
. Helen's remarks had irritated him, and thu
scene in which she had taken part has
made him obscurely ashamed OF himself
and his family.
'I won't apologize" he said.
90. Georgie!- she sasped; think o.
your prospects,
-Ali right" snarled George-Hiram' I'm
thinking of them. What's the worst b.
can. do? Disinherit me. and turn us ooti
out Very well; then you can marry DR.
Hale and I'll either take the teaching. to'
here or the brokerage job in New York"