The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-12-02
OLD WAYS AND NEW
Chapter %

Half angry, half ashamed, desper- |
ately on the defensive, Claire sat
with her eyes down and the tears
running down her cheeks. Claire
very rarely cried. She knew too well
the value of tears to make them com
monplace. She knew that Luther
could not resist her when she wept.
Therefore she kept this as a last at
tack She preferred victory by other
means. and used tears as the master
stroke when everything else failed.
She rarely had to use tears; frowns
smiles, coaxinss, poutings. occasional
fits of temper, got her what she want
ted. She knew that she was pretty
when she cried, but not If she cried
too long-then her nose would go red
and her sweet blue eyes would have
heavy. shiny lids.
But she knew now that the new sit
uatiou was desperate. She was play
ing her main card, using her master
stroke, first. And her tears were part
ly genuine, too.
II hate 1t here, I hate IT," she went
on. IT'S so dull and stupid. I want
to get away"
ly. He knew this was coming. Now
il had come he was partly relieved.
He sat trying to make her out, Won
dering what was real and what was
pretence, giving her the intent study
he might devote to some intricate en-
cheering problem. His great gray
eyes never left her. His wide mouth
twisted little as It did when he was
hurt.
4 know It's dull" he said finally.
It's restful too, and it's done you
good. dear You look fresher and pref
tier and younger than I've ever seen
you"
I've got freckles," Claire sobbed.
They're aEfully becoming if you
have. I've probably been selfish.
You've never seen a life like this.
It's the thing for me, since I've been
sick, but I suppose it's been dull for
YOU. Go back If you want. I shan't
mind-only won't you be lonesome
by yourself in the apartment"
Claire stopped crying. She had her
way. She began to plan.
IN take Amy, she should be gotten
away from this stupid life. She's stag
mating here Shell marry Dick just be
cause she's bored, and be stuck here
all her life"
That's a good idea, take her along
I'll fix it up with mother As for-Jim
Clarke-you know I don't trust him.
shant ask you to promise not to see
him"
Claire had n sudden candid streak
4 shan't promise anyway" she said
Because I might, and that would be
breaking my promise. But III promise
TO try not to see him"
Luther smiled at the childessness
Of this, a slow wise smile as though
he we're a hundred years older than
his wife
I'm only exchanging one child for
another was the way he put il TO his
mother I'm sending Amy to keep
Claire company, While I'm staying
With you. I'm not fit to go back to
work vet. III take a hand at farming
for a few months"
She'll teach her so many new
'Fings,' Mrs. Talbot said, looking at
Claire and Amy on the porch. 1T
isn't that 7 don't like Claire do
hough she does things I just don't
approve Of
But you have common sense. Lu-
Their Amy's young. she's spoiled al
tCddy Duc II S6L uOLlOuS III LQe CITY
She might never want to come back"
But after all. mother, what do you
want her to do? She must see a little
Of life sometime"
y want her to settle down here and
marry" Mrs. Talbot said, moved to
sudden confession Of all her hopes.
She's my youngest my baby, I want
her near. Why should she see any
thing of the world? You've seen it.
That's all right, you're a man, that $
different. Claire has seen what you
call life"
And you don't approve of Claire. "
And Jane-look at Jane She's
seen TOO much Of life. I can't under
stand my children any more. Their
ideas are all different from mine.
they don't think the way they were
taught any more. they" she broke
off, crying q little heart-breakug
with her age and her tears.
Now you want to take Amy too.
Why should she see anything but
Ill D