Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-03-23
Sartoris wasn't here. Now, Of course,
] don't know, for I didn't ask Al

lIe0-
"There you So" said the sick mar
witheringly. That's right--ask the
maids. and get all the servants talk.
ing; all come down on the heels Of
a,,poor little girl like a pack OF yap-
ping wolves: I suppose If she was
plain and unattracttve-I should
think you'd be ashamed" he went on,
changing his Highland ,%querulous key
to one Of almost prieetly authority
and reproof. Upon my word. it's be-
meath your dignity. My little girl
comes to me, and she explains the
she can't help that-and she has an.
influence over him. She tells mo ne
hasn't touched a thing but beer for
six weeks, just because she asked him
to give up heavy drinking. He told
her the other day that il he had met
a few : ear ago, Lucy never
would have left him. She's wakened
the boy up. he's a different fellow"
"All that may be true" Rachael
said quickly, the color that his pre-
her cheeks still flushing them, ''still.
you don't "a Billy to marry Joe
Pickering! You know that sort Of
pity. and that business Of reforming u
man." She paused, but Clarence
did not speak. Not that Billy her
self realizes it, l daresay," Rachael
added presently, watching the read
or's absorbed face for an answering
look.
"cArence!" she began imperative
Clarence withdrew his attention
from the paper with an obvious effort
and spoke in a l~aboriously polite
tone.
II don't care to discuss it.
Rachael"
BUT" Rachael stopped short,
OF the word. Silence reigned in the
big, bright room except for the xoc-
casional rustic Of Clarence's newspa-
per. His wife sat idle, her eyes row
ing ~indiferently from the myly' pa
pered walls to the gayly lowered,
hangings, the great bowl Of daIodils
that, youthful and self-conscious.
looked down from the mantel. On
the desk a later photograph Of Carol.
tn a silver frame, was duly fanked by
one Of Rachael. the girl in the gown
she had worn for. her first big dance,
the oma looking out from under
the narrow brin Of a snug winter hat.
and her slender figure wrapped in
furs. Here also was a picture OF
Florence ,Hsviland, her handsome
face self satisfied, her trio of homely,
distinguished Hooking girls about her,
and a small picture of Gardner. and
two Of Clarence's dead mother: one.
as they all remembered her, q prim-
looking woma with gra hair and
able gown. the other, taken thirty
years before. showing her as cheerful
and youthful. a caecads Of ringlets
falling over her shoulder, the arm
that ooquettishly supported her head
resting upon an upholstered pedestal.
q voluminous striped silk gown sweep
ing away from her In. rich folds.
There was even q picture Of Clarence
lively eight and twelve. Clarence IN =
buttoned serge kilt ana plaid stock
ines. his Int, gentle little fac4 framed
in damp careful curl8, Flofence also
with plaid stockings and q scA1lop~d
frock. Clarence sat In q swing: F1oS.
ence, Just behind him. leaned on IN
open gate. her begs crossed careless
" - abe restsd on her elbows. And
there was = picture Of their father. q
taken ut that period when photo.
graphs were highly glassd. and raised
in has relief. LDak conspicuous OF all
was q snapshot framed IN Q circle oS
battered blua-sname1 daisies. the pie
|ture Of . haby gtrl Laughing against Z
background Of dandaliong ana
that this wa clsrence's grekteat
Treasure. th&t It went wherever he
went. and that IL WAC worn shabby
and tarntshed from his hands and hts
lips.
Sometimes she looked 1t It and
wondered. What . brisht-faced, ray
little thing Billy had been! Who had
set her down In that neld. and quiet
Pies, and anchored ths restless little
feet. while Daby watchsd Dad and the
black box with the birdie Ia IT,
Paula? Once, 3djy intsraateA IN those
old days befors she heA knewa him.
she ~