The Holly chieftain., 1922-12-07

don't know what l can say" Now
she also rose, and laughed awkwardly.
I've told d." she said to Bobby,
that wherever you two go. I'm going
too. DIS folks left her in my care,
you know. So you'll have to take me
along, l guess" She spoke in man
ner of distinct apology.
AT this Bobby had no idea what to
reply. He looked down miserably Mt
the carpet. His whole manner was a
mute testimony to his participation
In the eternal query: How did I get
into It?
Bobby" said Di, "are you going to
let her lead you homer
This of course nettled him, but not
In the manner on which Di had count
ed. He said loudly:
I'm not going to Bainbridge or
Holt or any town and lie, to get you
or any other girl"
Come on, Aunt Lulu" said DI
grandly.
Bobby led the way through the
lobby, Di followed, and Lulu brought
up the rear. She walked awkwardly,
eyes down, her hands stlfly held.
Heads turned to look at her. They
passed into the street.
"You two go ahead" said Lulu, 80
they won't think"
They did so, and she followed, and
did not know where to look, and
thought of her broken shoes.
fha tnNt
the train and stepped back. He had,
he said something to see to there
In Milton. Dl did not look at him.
And Lulu's good-by spoke her genuine
regret for all.
Aunt Lulu" said Dl, "you needn't
think I'm going to sit with you. You
look as If you were crazy. I'll sit
back here"
"All right, d." said Lulu humbly.
1t was nearly six o'clock when they
arrived at the Deacons'. Mrs. Bett
stood on the porch. her hands rolled
In her apron.
Surprise for you'll" she called
brightly.
Before they had reached the door,
Ina bounded from the hall.
"Darlingw
She seized upon Di, kissed her
loudly. drew back from her, saw the
travelling bag.
MY new bag!" she cried. "Di!
What have you got that for7"
In any embarrassment DIS instinc-
tive defense was hearty laughter She
now laughed heartily, kissed her
mother again, and ran up the stairs.
Lulu slipped by her sister, and into
the kitchen.
Dwight had come home. Lulu could
hear Ina pouring out to him the mys-
terlous circumstance Of the bag, could
hear the exaggerated air of the
casual with which he always received
the excitement of another, and espe-
cially Of his Ina. Then she heard
Ina's feet padding up the stairs, and
after that DIS shrill, nervous laugh
ter. Lulu felt pang of pity for Di,
as II she herself were about to face
them.
There was not time both to pre-
pare supper and to change the blue
cotton dress. In that dress Lulu was
pouring water when Dwight entered
the dining room.
"Ah! said he. "Our festive ball
gown"
She gave him her hand, with her
peculiar sweetness of expression
almost as II she were sorry for him
or were bidding him good-by.
THAT shows who you dress for!"
he cried. "You dress for me. Ina
aren't you Jealous? Lulu dresses for
me !"
Ina had come in with Di, and both
were excited. and Inas head was NOV
ing stiffiy. as in all her indlgnations.
Mrs. Bett had thought better of it and
had given her presence. Already Mo-
mona was singing.
But no one noticed Monona, and Ina
did not defer even to Dwight. She,
who measured delicate, troy occasions
by avoirdupois, said brightly:
mo, Di. You must tell us all about
1t. Where had you and Aunt Lulu
been with mammals new bag?'
"Ina," said Lulu, first can't we
hear something about your visit?
How is"
Her eyes consulted Dwight. His
features dropped. the lines of his face.
dropped, Its muscles seemed to sag.
A look of suffering was In his eyes.
She'll never be any better" he
said. II know we've said good-by to
her for the last time"
"Oh. Dwight |" said Lulu.
"She knew 1t, too," he said. "It-
1t put me out Of business, can tell
you. She gave me my start-she took
all the care Of me--taught me to
read-she's the only mother l ever
knew" He stopped, and opened his
eyes wide on account of their dlmness,
But eventually they were back
again before that new black bag. And
Di would say nothing. She laughed,