Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-08-31


other. H
"Well." said ID positively, "they
were. Papa, see my favor"
She showed him sugar dove, and
he clucked at II.
Ina glanced AT them fondly, her face
assuming it's loyeliest light. She was
often ridiculous, but always she was
the happy wife and mother, and her
role reduced her individual absurdities
an least 10 its own.
The door to the bedroom now
opened and Mrs. Bett appeared.
"Well, mother!" cried Herbert, the
''well' curving like an arm, the
mother descending like brisk slap.
Hungry now?"
Mrs. Bett was hungry now. She had
emerged intending To pass through the
room without speaking and find food
in the pantry. by obscure processes
her son-in-law's tone inhibited all this.
mo" she said. I'm not hungry"
Now that she was there, she seemed
uncertain what TO do. She looked
from one 10 another bit hopelessly
somehow foiled in her dignity. She
brushed nj her skirt, the veins Of her
long wrinkled hands catching an in
tenser blue from the dark cloth. She
put her hair behind her ears.
1--WE put potato in the oven for
you" said Ina. She had never learned
quite how to treat these periodic re-
fusals of her mother 10 eat, but she
never had ceased to resent them.
NO, thank you,' said Mrs. Bett.
Evidently she rather enjoyed the stu
alton. creating for herself spotlight
much in the manner OF Monona.
Mother" said Lulu, "let me make
you solpe toast and tea
Mrs. Bett turned her gentle, blood
less face toward her daughter, and
her eyes warmed.
after n little. maybe she said. 81
think I'll run over TO see Grandma
Gates now she added, and went
toward the door.
"Tell her" cried Dwight, "tell her
she's my best girl"
Grandma Gates was q rheumatic
cripple who lived next door, and when
ever the DeacOns or Mrs Belts were
angry or hurt or wished TO escape the
house for some reason, they stalked
over to Grandma Gates-in lieu Of,
say, slamming q door. These visits
radated an almost daily friendliness
which lifted and tempered the old in
valid's lot and life.
hi flashed out at the door again, on
some trivial permission.
"a good many of mammals stitches
in that dress TO keep Clean" Ina called
after.
Early, darling, early" her father
reminded her. A faint reorganization
Of his was somehow invested with the
paternal.
"What's this?" cried Dwight Her.
bert Deacon abruptly.
ON the clock shelf lay letter.
"Oh. Dwight - Ina was all compunc-
ton. at came this morning. l for
got"
81 forgot il tool And | laid ii W
there" Lulu was eager for her share
Of the blame.
isn't it understood that my mail
can't wait like this?'
Dwights sense of Importance was
now being fed in gulps.
81 know. I'm awfully sorry" Lulu
said. but YOU hardly ever get let.
ter"
This might have made things worse
but it provided Dwight with greater
importance.
"Of course, pressing matter goes tc
my Office" he admitted it. "Still. my
mail should have more careful"
lie read. frowning. He replaced tho
letter, and they hung upon his mo-
lions as he tapped the envelope ant
regarded them.
"Nowv said he. "What do you
think have to tell your
Something nice" Ina was sure.
Something surprising" Dwight sale
portentiously.
But, Dwight-is 1t nicel" from his
Ina.
"That depends. l like II. Sol
Lulu" He leered at her. Its com
pany."
"Oh, Dwight" said Ina. "Who?"
"From Oregon" he said, toying will
his suspense.
"Your brother" cried Ina. us n,
cOming?'
Eyes. Ninian's coming, so he says
"Ninlan!" cried Ina again. She wa:
excited, round-eyed, her moist lip.
parted. Dwight's brother Ninian. How
long was ii? Nineteen years. Soutl
America. Central America, Mexico
Panama land all" When was he
coming and what was he coming for?
10 see me-" said Dwight. ITO meet
you. Some day next week. He don't
know what a charmer Lulu is, or he'd
come quicker"
Lulu flushed terribly. Not from the
implication. But from the knowledge
that she was not charmer.
The clock struck The child Mo
mona uttered a cutting shrek. Her
bcrt's eyes flew not only to the child
but to his wife. What was this, was
their progeny hurt?
Bedtime" his wife elucidated, and
added: Lulu, will you take her to