New-York tribune., 1921-09-04

ULU was dusting the parlor. The par
lor was rarely used, but every morn
4 ing it was busted. BY Lulu. She
busted the black walnut center table
which was of Ina's choosing, and looked like
Ina. shining complacent, abundantly curved.
The leather rocker, too looked like Ina, brown,
ulumpy upholstered, tipping back a bit.
Really, the davenport looked like Ina, for its
ehintz pattern seemed to bear design of
lifted eyebrows and arch, reproachful eyes.
Lulu busted the upright piano, and that was
like Dwight-in a perpetual attitude of rearing
back, with paws out, playful, but capable, too,
Of roaring a ready bass.
And the black freplace--there was Mrs.
Bett to the life. Coloress, fireless and with
dust Of ashes.
In the midst of all was Lulu herself, reflect
ed in the narrow pier glass, bodiless-l looking
in her blue gingham gown, but somehow alive
Natural.
This pier glass Lulu approached with ex-
pectation, not because of herself, but because
Of the photograph on it's low marble shelf. A
large photograph on a little shelf easel. A
photograph Of man with evident eyes, evil
dent lips, evident cheeks-and each of the six
were rounded and convex. You could con-
struct the rest of him. Down there under the
glass you could imagine him extending, round
ed and convex, with plump hands and curly
thumbs and snug clothes. 1t was Ninian Dea-
con, Dwight's brother.
Every day since his coming had been an
noanced Lulu, dusting the paxlor, had seen
the Photograph looking at her with it's eyes
somehow Or were her own eyes new?
She busted this photograph with difference,
lifted, busted, set it back, less as d process
than as an experience. AS she busted the mir
ror and saw his trim semblance over against
her own bodiless reflection, she hurried away.
But the eyes of the picture followed her. and
she liked it.
She busted the south window sill and saw
Bobby Larkln come round the house to go to
the woodshed for the lawn mower. She heard
the smooth blur of the cutter Not six times
had Bobby traversed the lawn when Lulu saw
Dl emerge from the house. D had been car
ing for her canary and she carried her bird
bath and went to the well, and Lulu OWNED
that Di had deliberately disregarded the handy
Kitchen taps. Lulu busted the south window
and watched, and in her watching was no
quality of spying or of criticism. Nor did
'ne watch wlstfully. Rather, she looked out
On something in which she had never shared.
;ould not by any chance imagine herself shar
ng.
r. HE south windows were open. Airs Of
May bore the soft talking.
Oh, Bobby, will you pump while I hold
hls! And again: 'Now, wait till rinse"
IND again: "You needn't be so glum" the
nllage sautaton signifying kindly attention.
Bobby now first spoke: who's glun?" he
ountered, gloomly
Inc iron of those days when she had
aughed at him was deep within him, and
ais she now OWNED, and said absently:
used to think you were pretty nice. But
dont like you any more"
les' you used to!' Bobby repeated. de-
sively is that why you made fun of me
U the time?"
At this Di colored and tapped her foot IN
le Well curb. He seemed to have her now
Du enjoyed MS triumph. But Di looked up
nm shyly and looked down. "I had to-
lie admitted. "They were all teasing me
bout you"
lhey were?" This was new thought TO
IN. Teasing her about him, were thew? He
frightened HUH" he said, in magnificent
'asion.
mad to make them stop, so teased you.
- never wanted to-" Again the upward
Ok
"el!, Bobby stared at her. 81 never
ought 1t was anything like that"
VI course you didn't" She tossed back her
'snt hair, met his eyes full. "And YOU
Ver came where could tell you. wanted
tell you"
one ran into the house.
Lulu lowered her eyes 1t was as If she
q witnessed the exercise of some secret p;ft
q seen cocoon open or an egg hatch. She
IS thinking:
how easy she done it. Got him right over.
= = now did she do that?"
Dusting the Dwight-like piano, Lulu looked
si.snoulder, with manner Of speculation
the Photograph of Ninian.
!. DoDny moved and pondered The mag
went conceit Of the male in his under
@oing Of the female character was s,,f-
'sasiy developed to cause him to welcome
! !, mi nproyisation which he had lust heard
.A~ps snat was the way it had been. OF
ss' mat was the way it had been. What
). .Sol ne had been not to understand He
: p's eyes repeatedly toward the honse
managed to make the job last over az