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

ing her rullt IN having let loose the
dogs OF her husband upon Lulu, in
terposed: "lNell, bun. Herbert-Lulu
isn't strong enough to work. What's
| the use ="
She dwindlcd For years the fiction
had been sustained that Lulu. the
family beast Of burden, was not strong
enough 10 work anywhere else.
"The Justice business" said Dwight
Herbert Deacon-he was IA justice OF
the peace-"and the dental profess
sion" he was also dentist-"do not
warrant the purchase of spring flow
ers in my home
"Wcl, but. Herbert" 1t was his
wife again.
NO more" he cried briefly, with
slight bend of his head Lulu meant
no HARM he added and smiled at
Lulu.
There was a moments silence into
which Monona injected a loud "Num,
mum. nummy-num,' as If she were the
burden Of an Ellzabethan lyric. She
seemed 10 close the Incident. But the
burden was cut off untlmely. There
was, her father reminded her porten-
tously, company in the parlor.
"When the bell rang, / was so afraid
something had happened to Di," said
Ina. signing.
Lets see" said Dis father. "Where
is little daughter tonight?"
He must have known that she was
at Jenny Plow's at "A tea party, for at
noon they had talked of nothing else;
but this was his way. And Ina played
his game always. She informed him,
dutifully
"Oh, no." said he, absently. How
could he be expected to keep his mind
on these domestic trifles.
1--WE told you that this noon,' said
Lulu. He frowned, disregarded her.
Lulu had no delicacy.
GLOW much is salmon the can now?"
he inquired abruptly-this was one Of
his forms Of speech, the can, the
pound the cord
His partner supplied this informa-
ton with admirable promptness. Large
size, small size, present price former
price-shc had them all.
Dear me" said Mr.. Deacon. "That
is very nearly salmoney, isn't it?'
Herbert - his Ina admonished in
gentle. gentle reproach. Mr.. Deacon
punned. organically. In talk he often
fell silent and then asked some ques-
ton, schemed to permit his voice to
flourish. Mrs. Deacon's return was
always automatic: Herbert :"
"Whose Bert?" he said to this. 81
thought I was your Bert"
She shook her little head. You are
a case" she told him. He beamed
upon her. It was his intention TO be
a case.
Lulu ventured in upon this pleas
antry. and cleared her throat. She
was not hoarse, but she was always
clearing her throat.
The butter is about all gone" she
| observed. "Shall J wait for the butter
woman or get some creamery?'
Mr.. Deacon now felt his little jocu-
larity lost before a wall OF the matter
of fact He was not pleased. lie saw
himself as the light of his home
brnger Of brightness, lightener OF dull
hours. II was a pretty role. lie in
sisted upon it. To maintain 1t intact
it was necessary TO turn upon their
sister with concentrated irritation.
kindly settle these matters with
ont bringing them to my attention al
mcaltme," he said Jelly.
Lulu flushed and was silent. She
was an olive woman, once handsome.
now with fat blush shadows under
! her wistful eyes And if only She
would look at her brother Herbert and
sly something But she looked at her
plate
Il want some honey" shouted the
child. Monona.
There isn't any. Pet" said Lulu.
Il want some" said Monona. cycling
her stonily. But she found that her
hair-ribbon could be pulled forward It.
meet her lips, ana she embarked OF
the biting Of an end. Lulu departed
for some sauce and cake 1t was
apple sauce Mr.. Deacon remarked
that the apples were almost as good
as if he had stolen them. He was
giving the impression that he was an
irrepressible fellow. He was eating
very slowly. 1t added pleasantly TO his
sense of Importance TO feel that some
one, there in the parlor, was waiting
his motion
AZ length they rose. Monona flunl
herself upon her father. He put her
aside firmly, every inch the father
No, no. Father was occupied now
Mrs. Deacon coaxed her away Mononi
encrcled her mothers waist, lifted her
own feet from the floor and hung
upon her. "She's such an active
child" Lulu ventured brightly.
mot unduly active, I think" hel
brother-in-law observed
He turned upon Lulu his bright
smile, lifted his eyebrows, dropped his
lids, stood for moment contemplat
Ing the yellow tulip, and so left the
| room.
Lulu cleared the table Mrs Dea
con essayed to wind the clock. Well
now. Did Herbert say IL was twenty
three tonight when it struck the hal