The Neshoba Democrat., 1922-11-30
4 mean, did Ninian rtvs yOd ID,


condition--on condition that this dis
graceful business is kept to our
selves"
She made no attempt to combat
him now. She looked back at him
quivering, and IN great surprise, but
she said nothing.
Truly, Lulu" said Ina, wouldn't
that be best? They'll talk anyway.
But this way they'll only talk about
you, and the other way it'd be about
all OF us."
Lulu said or1y: .But the other way
would be the truth"
Dwight's eyes narrowed: my dear
Lulu" he said, 'are you sure Of
thatf"
"SureT'
Yes. DID he give you any proofsr'
"Proofs7"
Letters-documents Of any sortf
Any sort OF assurance that he was
speaking the truth?"
Why. no." said Lulu. "Proofs--
no. He told me.r
"He told your"
"Why that was hard enough TO
have to do. 1t was terrible for him
to have to do. What proofs. She
stopped, puzzled.
Didn't It occur to you. said
Dwight, "that he might have told you
that because he din't- want to have
to go on with it?"
AS she met his look some power
seemed to go from Lulu. She sat
down, looked weakly at them, and with
In her closed lips her jaw was slightly
fallen. She said nothing. And see
ing on her skirt spot Of dust she
began to rub at that.
"Why, Dwight" Ina cried. and
moved to her sisters side.
Il may as well tell you,r he said.
"thaf myself have no idea that MIN
Ian told you the truth. He was always
imagining things--you saw that. 1
know him pretty well-haye been
more or less In touch with him the
whole time. In short, / haven't the
least Idea he was ever married be-
fore"
Lulu continued to rub at her skirt,
i never thought Of that" she said
Look here" Dwight went on per-
suasively, hadn't you and he had some
little tiff when he told your"
"No-noi Why, not once. why, we
weren't a bit like you and ina"
She spoke simply and from her
heart and without guile.
Evidently not" Dwight said dryly.
Lulu went on: HE was very good
to me. This dress-and my shoes
and my hat. And another Dress too. y
She found the pins and took or her
hat. "He liked the red wing" she
said Il wanted black --oh, Dwight 1
He did tell me the truthg' 1t was as
II the red wing had abruptly borne
mute witness.
Dwight's tone now mounted. His
manner, 1t mounted too.
'Even If it is true" said he. ~ de-
sire that you should keep silent and
protect my family from this scandal.
! merely mention my doubts to you
Tor your own profit.
My own profit!"
She said no more, but rose and
moved to the door.
Lulu-you seel With Di and all 7"
ina begged. "We just couldn't have
this known-even II 1t was so."
'You have It In your hands, said
Dwight, ito repay me, Lulu, for any
thing that you feel I may have done
for You In the past. You also have
It In your hands to decide whether
your home here continues That Is
not pleasant position for me to fnd
myself In. Il Is distinctly unpleasant,
may say. But you see for yourself. !.
Lulu went on. into the passage.
Wasn't she married when she
thought she wasr Mrs. Bett cried
shrilly.
Mamma" said Ina. 'Do, please,
remember Monona. Yes ~ Dwight
thinks she's married all right now
and that it's all right, all the time. I"
"Well, ] hope so, for pity sakes,"
said Mrs. Bett, and left the room with
her daughter.
Hearing the stir. Monona upstairs
lifted her voice:
'sMammal Come on and hear my
prayers, why don't your
When they came downstairs NEXT
morning Lulu had breakfast ready.
Welll" cried Ina In her curying
tones. III this isn't like old times"
Lulu said yes. 1t was like old times,
and brought the bacon to the table.
s'Lulu's the only one In this house
can cook the bacon SOS TIN chew =
Mrs. Bett volunteered. She was
wholly affable, and held contentedly
to Ina's last word that Dwight
thought now 1t was all right.
"Ho!' said Dwight. ''The happy
family, once more about the festive
toaster." He gauged the moment to
call Tor good cheer. Ina, too, became
breezy, blithe. Monona caught their
spirit and laughed, head thrown well
back and gently shaken.
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