The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1922-12-14

be papa's little ocrty."
"But we had the engagement with
Bobby. II was an engagement"
well" said ma, II think wen just
set that aslde--that important en-
gaeement. l think we just will"
"PapaI Boby1l rant to be the one
to pay for Jenny and l."
."Diw Ina's voice dominated all.
"Wlll you be more careful OF your
grammar or shall speak to you
again?"
"well. I'd rather use bad grammar
han-than-than--" she looked re-
sentfully at her mother, her father.
Their moral detection was evident to
her, but II was indefnable. They told
her that she ought TO be ashamed
when papa wanted to give them all
treat, She sat silent, frownlng. put
upon.
Look, mammals cried Monona,
swallowing a third of an egg ut One
impulse. Ina saw only the empty
plate.
Mammals nice little grill" cried
she. shining upon her child.
The rules of the ordinary sports of
the playground, scrupulously applied,
would have clarified the ethical at
mosphere Of this little family. But
there was no one to apply them.
When Di and Monona had been ev-
cused. Dwight asked:f
Nothing new from the bride and
groomf"
mo. And, Dwight, It's been a week
since the last"
"See-where are they then7"
He knew perfectly well that they
were in Savannah, Georgia, but Ina
played his game, told him, and retold
bits that the letter had said.
IT don't understand" she added,
"why they should 70 straight to Ore
gon without coming here first"
| Dwight hazarded that Mn probably
had to get back, and shOne pleasantly
in the reflected Importance of a
brother filed with affairs.
II don't know what to make Of Luz
LUIS letters" Ina proceeded. They're
| $3.50"
"You haven't had but two, have
youT
THAT'S all-well. of course It's only
been a month. But both letters have
been So"
Ina was never really articulate.
Whatever corner of her brain had the
blood In 1t at the moment seemed to
be operative, and she let the matter
go at that.
/ hlnlr Nta Cot 90
going of that way. Leaving her own
mother. Why, she may never see
mamma again" Ina's breath caught.
Into her face came something of the
lovely tenderness with, which she
sometimes looked at Monona and Di
She sprang up. She had forgotten to
put some supper to warm for
mamma. The lovely light was still
In her face as she hustled about
against the time Of mammals recovery
from her tantrim. Dwight's face was
like this when he spoke of his foster.
mother. In both these beings there
was something which functioned al
pure love.
Mamma had recovered and was eat.
Ing cold scrambled eggs on the corner
of the kitchen table when the ice
cream soda party was ready to sci
out. Dwight threw her a casual BET
ter come, too, Mother Bett," but she
shook her head. She wished to go
wished 1t with violence, but she con
trlved to give to her arbitrary refusal
quality of contempt. When Jenny
arrived with Bobby, she had brought
sheaf of gladioli for Mrs. Bett, ant
took them to her in the kitchen, anC
as she laid the flowers beside her, the
young girl stopped and kissed her
"You little darllngi" cried Mrs. Bett
and chung TO her, her lifted eyes III
} by something intense and living. But
when the Ice cream party had set of
at last, Mrs. Bett left her supper. gath
cred up the flowers, and crossed the
lawn to the old cripple, Grandms
Gates.
"Inle sha'n't have EN-" the ole
woman thought.
And then It was quite beautiful tC
watch her with Grandma Gates
whom she tended and petted, t
whose complainings she listened. anC
to whom she tried to tell the small
events Of her day. When her neigh
Dor had gone, Grandma Gates SAID
that II was as good as dose Of medi
] ais IN In