Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-07-04
CHAPTER XVI.


~ 10y - " Co ~ o6Oly
wishes to marry Lola. a
CHAPTER XVI.
Arrangements.
The bicycle party arrived from
Thaxter Cove quite late In the aft
ernoon. But only a few minutes aft
er Ernestine, Lola and Leander had
smilingly hidden their companions
adieu. both girls were in tears. and
their brother unhappily frowning.
Uncle Asa had written them from
vised not to shock, nevertheless
brought pangs Of alarm. They, real
lied with poignant suddenness how
dear their mother hadAbeen to them.
For a time they chung to one another;
they stared into m a%nother's eyes;
even the near presence of Marian.
faded into a sort OF mistlike con-
tiguity. But, strangest of all, the
Mobilization dropped, SO to speak,
away from them. They addressed one
another as they had done at Stratton,
they clipped their words; they fioun-
dered piteously among impetuous
"~ain'ts" and "'guesses;;" they dissipat-
ed unawares the new melodies that
icry had infused into their voices, and
uttered their cries of grief in the old
homely tones of humber days.
, For a while, Marian watched them,
infinitely touched. She felt disasso-
ciated from them, exiled. repealed.
Soon her eyes wandered toward Lee
ander's melancholy face. He gave
her a quick nod. which she as quick.
ly .comprehended. Se; :.
She went to the girls at once;
and reached an arm about either Of
their necks. Immediately they gave
her fearful yet ardent welcomes. The
dark head and he bright head n.sek-
ly sank on her shoulder.
Now. girls" began Marian, in her.
cheeriest st~accato, you're both tired
after your long trip, and you must
both lie down. Come upstairs with
me. n I'll do all can to lull you
into a good nap before dinner. I'll
read aloud to you,S or I'll getfnice old
Madame Boudinot to intone one of
those French poems that you think
so full of music but, insist, that you
can't yet understand. There isn't. the
slightest reason for you to feel ut
terry cast down like this. What, real
~, has your Uncle Asa written? Why,
merely that your mother had been
feeling lonely and sad for about a
month past, and that the doctor safi
HSi ICdlI was ItWSaA, anu r. Ludt+ HC
didn't like@to tell ou;throughs fear Of
causing needless anxiety. Then, the
other day. she had a fainting fit in
church. Well, the weather out there
was horribly hot, as we've been read
ing in the newspapers and very
probably the sermon vas tedious. He
promised you that the minute she
grew at all worse he would tele-
graph. But nearly a week has passed
since the date Of his letter, and he
hasn't yet made a sign. Surely there
was never .afmore conclusive case Of
no news being good news. Think how
many people in the world have weak.
hearts and yet live on with them for
ing spell! Why, girls, l thought you,
had more sense. She wants to see
you, Lola? Well. what's to. prevent
your going on? You night find her
dead when you got there, Ernie.
Now l see the folly Of hiking twenty
miles in. one day. You're both horri-
bly, tagged out, and--- \ INCH Y
Standing with one elbow on the
mantelpiece; LeaAder heard the ten-.
der-consolatory voice die away They
left the room in a triple embrace, of
which Marian made the center. He
sat down andsgtried to be stoicaliy
patient until she returned. He ONE
how felt that she would return. Ger
tain prompt arrangements must be
made, and Of course they must talk
these over together.
It seemed to him an age until she
reappeared. @Well?"sh he said. quick
ly rising. 5I N
.,Thsy;rs Dotn 8 tired, Peer
already"
"You think naturally. that mother
must be q very sick woman?
Your uncle hasn't 8telegraphed."
True. But we ought to 90 right
That's your opinion; isn't it??"3
Marian seemed turn tt over.
He looked ut her with a wistful
forlorness. We'll take their two
aob, 81 ali n.sanu. And your man
as well-why not? Ill have the pack
Ing begun this evening. Tell your
man 4. plea that I want his help.
Leanderss eyes could o leave her
face He scoughed; he fur1bled jerk
lily with his SWstch chain. 1916
Suppose poor mother dies. he
somberly brought ont.
.Why, them said Marian, low
voiced. You'd come back. Wouldn't
you n
He coughed again. why yes. yes
--of course. But if-she fingers on
in sickness 2.
"oh, then. you couldn't om back
could y0I r.
seNo.1 Here Leander drew In q
long, deep breath. His eyes fen, then
lifted. It's only fair to settle every
thing with@yo u IT isn't right that
YOU should suffer because OF this
this accident s@
Marian fora moment. SCENE Pc
wildered. settle With me? Suher
becaueeM4 Oh. And her facs'
#brighteneds understandifEly i see.
sYoH think I'll take my salary With
out easninx Never. never Hlor