The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-10-28
GEORGE COMES BACK
CHAPTER 90

GudpLST ~
Doesn't frankie miss his mother?"
Mrs. Clarke asked as they sat under a /
gigantic red and white striped parasol
stuck into the green lawn 1t was the
LATEST Part of Sunday afternoon, Mr..
Clarke and Ned had gone off for a
tramp; frankie with his watchful lit
tie nursemaid was across the lawn.
F'rankie's wholehearted shouts as he
played had attracted their attention
mo. he doesn't seem to-" Pan an
swered. Hes without her a great
deal of the time, so he's used to alb
sence-she must be away all day at
her office"
After all, I'm inclined to think
that's the best way; it teaches q chilli
self reliance" Mrs. Clarke said. HeT
fingers always busy at something,
were making def motions with knit
ting needles. Pan could see the lacey
shawl growing under her hands.
Frankies the self reliant Sort" Pan
explained Il imagine he inherits his
independence from his mother wish
/ had as much as he"
But you've been quite marvellous"
Mrs. Clarke told her. We've all
admired you-stopping on here alone
and looking after the child, to give
Gloria a chance"
"Oh, but she deserves her chance"
Pan was so earnest in her defence
that she interrupted eagerly. She de-
served it-you don't know all she's
been through. She did think of taking
frankie with her-with them-but it
seemed so odd to take big boy like
hat on honeymoon-beside
wanted to keep him. he's been com
pany." She paused for breath Mrs.
Clarke gave er a quick glance from
her kindly eyes-eyes so kindly they
more than redeemed her homely face.
\, And even had it been trouble. |
v would have been so glad" Pan went
on She's done so much for me-"
Mrs Clarke led her on, Pan told her
some of the little story that was 50
commonplace, so unexciting. and 50
pathetic because of that. She coulc
easily picture the dull farm, the work.
the child whose sensitive little soul
was bruised and burt by rudeness and
stupid misunderstanding.
But now she is married, will she
live here-and what of you?" Mrs.
Clarke asked.
81 think they'll live in New York
And as for me-well"-she locke
over the long stretch of grass. dapple
With golden coins of sunlight falling
through the trees. 1T will be two
years or more before frankie goes
away to school, she'll need me that
long-so much has happened in one
year"
THAT great deal will happen in
two more" Mrs Clarke finished. and
you're young and attractive, Pan
though you don't think so. That
part of your charm-you think only OF
others, and not yourself" Pan laughed
at that
II think too much of myself-or did
| used to be so sorry for myself"
The knitting needles clicked rapid
ly and a bit more of the shawl took
shape.
''Neds a nice boy" Mrs Clarke OBJ
served. apparently apropos of nothing
Isn't he?" Pan agreed with impe;-
sonal enthusiasm.
He'll inherit charming home and
a good income someday," Mrs. c. rke
went on. You'll adore his homO-
which he evidently means to show you
He's taken great fancy to you"
Even Pan recognized the mattel
n maker.
She felt sorry the otherwise tactfu
Mrs. Clarke had said this; it was sur;
to introduce an element of self-con
seriousness into a pleasant friendship
She didn't know what to say in an
swer, so wisely said nothing at all
Mrs. Clarke sensed this. But so a
not to seem to drop the subject to,
hurriedly. she talked more of Ned an
his home. And presently the bell from
the village church began, thin swee
jangling sound, calling to the earl.
evening service. Mrs. Clarke role
up her shawl and put on her hat
They followed a path through tn
meadow and crossed a stile and
brook. a short cut that brought then
soon to the village. The church was