The Holly chieftain., 1922-10-05
ili-contlnued.


-
''Those who disregard the comfort of
other people," he enunciated. cannot
expect consideration for themselves in
the future"
He did not say on what ethical tenet
this dlctum was based, but he deliv-
cred 1t with extreme authority. Ina
caught her lower lip with her teeth,
dipped her head and looked at Di. And
Monona laughed like little demon.
As soon as Lulu had all in readiness,
and cold corned beef and salad had be-
gun their orderly progression, Dwight
became the immemorial dweller In
green Businesses. He began:
This is ideal. tell you, people
don't half know life If they don't get
out and eat In the open. It's better
than any tonic at dollar the bottle.
Natures tonic-eh7 Free as the air.
Look at that sky. See that water
Could anything be more pleasant? 2"
He smiled mt his wife. This mans
face was glowing with simple pleasure.
He loved the out-of-doors with love
which could not explain itself. But he
now lost definite climax when his
wife's comment was heard to be:
'Monona! Now it's all over both
ruffies. And mamma does try 30
hard. ;"
After supper some boys arrived with
a boat which they beached, and
Dwight, with enthusiasm, gave the
boys ten cents for half hours use of
that boat and invited to the waters his
wife, his brother and his younger
: daughter. Ina was timid-not be-
cause she was afraid, but because she
was congenitally timid-with her this
was not belief or an emotion, 1t was
disease.
Dwight, darling, are you sure
there's no danger7"
"Why, none. None In the world.
Whoever heard of drowning In q
rIver?"
But you're not so very used"
Oh, wasn't he? Who was 1t that
had lived In boat throughout youth.
IL not he?
Ninian refused out-of-hand, lighted
q cigar, and sat on log In perma-
nent fashion. Ina's plump figure was
fitted In the stern, the child Monona
affixed. and the boat put OF, bow well
out of water. On this pleasure ride
the face Of the wife was as the face
Of the damned. 1t was true that she
revered her husbands opinions above
those Of all other men. In politics,
in science, in religion, In dentistry, she
looked up to his dicta as to revelation.
And was he not a magistrate7 But let
him take oars In hand, or shake lines
or whip above the back Of any horse,
and this woman would trust any other
woman's husband by preference. II
was phenomenon.
Lulu was making the work last, 30
that she should be out of everybody's
way. When the boat put off without
Ninian. she felt kind Of terror and
wished that he had gone. He had
sal down near her, and she pretended
not to see. At last Lulu understood
that Ninian was deliberately choosing
to remain with her. The languor of
his bulk after the evening meal made
no explanation for Lulu. She asked
for no explanation, He had stayed.
And they were alone. For Di, on
pretext of examining the fiOcks and
herds, was leading Bobby away to the
pastures, little at a time.
The sun, now fallen, had left an
even, waxen sky. Leaves and ferns
appeared drenchea with the light Just
withdrawn. The hush, the warmth,
the coler, were charged with some in
fuence. The air of the time commune
Gated itself to Lulu as intense and
quiet happiness. She had not vet felt
quiet with Ninian. For the first time
her blind excitement In his presence
ceased. and she felt curiously accus-
toned to him. To him the air of the
time impaired itself in deepening of
his faclle sympathy.
do you know somethingi" he be-
gan. II think you have 1t pretty hard
around here"
III" Lulu was genuinely aston
ished
"Yes, sir. Do you have to work
like this Nil the time? guess you
won't mind my asking"
"Well, ought TO work. have
home with them. Mother, too"
Yes, but glory! You ought to have
some kind Of life of your own You
want it. too. You told me you did
thnt first day."
She was silent Again he was In
yesting her with 4 longing which she