Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-11-30
.opuriahf bu D. APPLETON AND COf1PAkI

HNi p'iHc luI you She called
brightly.
Before they had reached the door
Ina bounded from the hall
Darling"
She seized upon Dl kissed her
loudly, drew back from her saw the
travelling bag.
My new bag" she cried "Di!
What have YOU got that for?"
In any embarrassment Dis instlnc-
tive defense was hearty laughter. She
now laughed heartily. kissed her
mother again, and ran up the stairs
Lulu slipped by her sister, and into
The kitchen.
Dwight had come home Lulu could
hear Ina pouring out 20 him the mys-
ferrous circumstance of the bag. could
hear the exaggerated air of the
casual with which he always received
the excitement Of another. and esnc-
cially of his Ina. Then she heard
has feet padding up the stairs. and
after that DIS slril, nervous laugh
ter Lulu felt pang OF pity for Iii
as II she herself were about 10 face
them.
There was not time both 10 pre-
pare supper and 70 change the blue
cotton dress. In that dress Lulu was
pouring water when Dwight entered
the dining room.
All" said he. "Our festive ball
gown"
She gave him her hand. with her
peculiar sweetness OF oppression
almost as if she were sorry for him
or were bidding him good-by
That shows who You dress for -
he cried. You dress for me. Ina.
aren't you jealous? Lulu dresses for
me.
Ina had come in with III and both
were excited, and Ina's head was NOV
ing stinly, as in all her indignations.
Mrs. Bet had thought better OF it and
had given her presence. Already Mo-
mona was singing.
But no one noticed Montna ana Ina
did not defer even to Dwight She
who measured delicate troy occasions
by avoirdupois, said brightly:
NO, ri. You must tell us all about
It. Where had YOU and Aunt Lulu
been with mamma's new bag?'
Ina" said Lulu. FIRST can't we
hear something about your visit?
How is"
Her eyes consulted Dwight. His
features dropped. the lines Of his face
dropped, its muscles seemed to sag
a look of suffering was in his eyes
shell never be any better" he
81 D.. -,
her for the last time
"Oh. Dwight :" said Lulu.
''She knew il, too" he said. 1T
It put me out of business. I can tel
you. She gave me my start-she took
all the care Of me-taught me TO
read--shes the only mother ever
knew" He stopped, and opened his
eyes wide on account Of their dimneSs.
But eventually they were hark
again before that new black bag And
hi would say nothing. She lruehed.
squirmed. grow irritable, laughed
again.
PUT an end to this, Lulu" ho com
manded. where were You two
since you make such a mystery"
Dis look ut Lulu WAS pitcous, ;er-
rihed. Dis fear of her fnihcr was
now clear 20 Lulu. And Lulu ,e.'o.
him. too. Abruptly she Lcarrl lnr
self tcmncrizng. for the momrn.
making common cause with hi
oh" she said, 1--WE have little
secret. Can't we have secret II We
want one:'
Upon my word" Dwight comment
ed. "she has beautiful secret
don't know about your secrets, Lula"
Every time thai he did This. that
ncct. lifted look Of Lulu's seemed t.
bleed
I'm glad Tor my dinner" remarked
Monona at last. "please excuse me Of
ON that they an rosa. Lulu stayed IN
the kitchen and did her best 10 make
her tasks indefinitely last. She had
nearly finished when ri burst in.
Amt Lulu. Aunt Lulu" she cried
"Come In there--colne. / can't stand
IT, What an going to dof'
"Di. dear" said Lulu. Tell yona
mother-you must tell her"
"sheu cry" Di sobbei. "Ther
she'll tell papa- anu h' - ~ ~
talking about it, / know him-ever>
doy he'll keep it going. After he
sc6lds me it'll be a joke Tor months
III dle-TU die, Aunt Lulu"
Ina's voice sounded in tie kitchen
"what are you two whispering about
I declare. mammals hurt. III, at The
way you're acting
Lets 60 ont on tie porch sai'
III, ond when Di would have
escaped. Ina drew her with them.
# was a warm dusk, moonless wind
loss. The sounds Of the village
street came in--laughtcr touch n
niano. Ginning clock. Light
starred and quickencd in me blurre
bouses Footsteps echoed on th
hoard wallis. The gate opened. Tn
Gloom Welded up Cornish.
InIu was Unfortunately glad TO Sc
him no have the strain Of the tim
broken by him was Ike hearing on
lonely winter wakeriag, the eioc
strike reassurine dawn.
carnlsh in hir gentle way. as'o