The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1922-12-28
MISS LULU BETT


THAT gives me the funniest feel.
Ing" said Ina, "as II Lulu had on
clothes bought for her by some one
that wasn't-that was"
"By her husband who has left her."
said Dwight sadly.
rs that what 1t Is papa7" Di asked
alertly. For a wonder, she was there;
had been there the greater part Of
the day-most of the time staring,
fascinated. at her Aunt Lulu.
THAT'S what T. is my little GIRL"
said Dwight, and shook his head.
swell, think It's a shame" said Di
stoutly. "And think Uncle Ninau
is slunge."
"Dir
II do. And I'd be ashamed to think
anything else. I'd like to tell every
body"
There is" said Dwight. mo need
for secrecy-now."
Dwight said Ina-Ina's eyes al
ways remained expressionless, but 1t
must have been her lashes that looked
so startled.
mo need whatever for secrecy" he
repeated with frmness. 1.-THE truth
Is kulu's husband has tired of her
and sent her home. We must face It."
But, Dwighr-how awful for Lulu
Lulu" said Dwight. has us to
stand by her."
Lulu, walking down the main street,
thought:
1
"Now Mis- Chambers is seeing me.
Now Mis- Curtis. There's somebody
behind the vines at Mis- Martins
Here comes Mis- Grove and I've got
to speak to her
One and another and another met
her, and every one cried out at her
some version of:
Lulu Bett" Or, "W-well, 1t isn't
Lulu Bett any more, is It? Well, what
are you doing here7 thought :"
I'm back to stay" she said.
"The idea Well, where you hiding
that handsome husband of yoursf
Say, but we we're surprised You're
the sly one"
'My-Mr. Deacon ism. here"
ooh"
"No. He's West"
"Oh, see."
Having no arts, she must needs let
the conversation die like this, could
invent nothing concealing or gracious
on which to move away.
She went to the post Office. 1t was
early, there were few at the post Of
flce-with only one or two there had
she to go through her examination.
Then she went to the general delivery
window, tense for new ordeal.
| To her relief, the face which was
shown there was one strange to her,
a slim youth, reading a letter of his
own. and smiling
Excuse me-" said Lulu family.
The youth looked up, with eyes
warmed Oy the words on the pink pa
per which he held.
Gould you give me the address Of
Mr.. Ninlan Deacon?"
Lets see-you mean Dwight Dea-
con, guess?"
mo. It's his brother. He's been
here. From Oregon. l thought he
might have given you his address"
she dwindled away.
"Wait minute" said the youth.
"Nope. No address here. Say, why
don't you send 1t to his brotherl He'd
know. Dwight Deacon, the dentist"
"rll do that" Lulu said absurdly,
and turned away.
She went back up the street. walk
ing fast now to get away from them
all. Once or twice she pretended not
to see familiar face. But when she
passed the mirror In an insurance Of
fee window, she saw her reflection
and at Its appearance she felt sur
prise and pleasure.
"Welll" she thought, almost II
Ina's own manner.
Abruptly her confidence rose.
Something of this confidence was
still upon her when tAe returned.
They were In the dining room now.
oil save Dl, who was on the porch
With Bobby, and Monona, who was In
bed and might be heard extravagant.
ly singing.
Lulu sat down with her hat on.
When Dwight inquired splayfully,
"SOn't we look like company" she
did not reply. He looked at her specu-
latively. Where had she gone, with
whom had she talked. what had she
told7 Ina looked at her rather fear
fully. But Mrs 3ett rocked content.
eddy and ate cardamom seeds.
"Whom did you sect" Ina asked.
Lulu named them.
"See them TO talk tor from Dwight.
Oh, yes. They had all stopped.