Gunnison news-champion., 1922-09-29

Holt or any town and Ne. to get 700
or amy other girl
-Come on. Aunt Lula sala d
grandly
Robby led the way through shs
lobby. Di followed. and Lulu brought
up the rear She walked awkwartlly.
eyes down. her hands stimy held
Heads turned to look at her. They
passed Into the street.
You two 80 ahead said Lulu. 80
they wont think
They did 90. and she followed. and
did not know where to look. and
thought OF her broken shoes.
At the station. Bobby put them On
the train and stepped back. He had.
he said. something to see to there
In Milton. Di did not look at him.
And Lulu's good-by spoke her genuine
regret for all.
Aunt Lulu." said Di. -you needn't
think I'm going to sit with you. You
look a. II you were crazy. I'll lit
back here"
IAN right. d." said Lulu humbly.
II was nearly six O'Clock when they
arrived at the Deacons'. Mrs. Bett
stood on the porch. her hands rolled
In her apron.
"surprise for your she called
brightly.
Before they had reached the door,
Ina bounded from the hall.
"Dariing!"
She selsed upon Di. kissed her
loudly, drew back from her, cav the
travelling bag. l
my new baGr she cried. 'Di
What have you got that forY'
In any embarrassment DIS instinc-
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. y
Dwight had come home. Lulu could
henr Ina pouring out to him the mys-
terious circumstance Of the bag. could
hear the exaggerated air Of the
casual with which he always received
the excitement Of another, and espe-
cialiy Of his Ina. Then she heard
Ina's feet padding up the stairs. and
after that DIS shrill. nervous laugh
ter Lulu felt a psng Of pity for Di.
as II she herself were about to face
them.
There was not time both to pro-
pare supper and to change the blue
cotton dress. In that dress Lulu was
pouring water wiaen Dwight entered
the dining room.
"Ah" said he. 'Our festive bail
gown" 2
She gave him her hand. with her
peculiar sweetness OF expression-'
almost as II she were sorry for him
or were bidding him go0d-by.
THAT shows who you dress for r.
he cried. You dress for me- Ina,
aren't you iealousf Lulu dresses for
me I"
Ina had come In with Di, md both
were excited. and Ina's head was NOV
Ing stIffy. as In all her indIgnations.
Mrs. Bett Ind thought better Of It and
had given her presence. Already Mo-
mona was singing. b
But no one noticed Monona, and Ina
did not defer even to Dwight. She,
who measured delicate, troy occasions
by avoiniupoIs, said brightly:
.No, Dl. You must tell US all about
1t. Where had you and Aunt Lulu
been with mammals new bagy"
"lna." said Lulu. ''first can't We
hear something about your visit3
How is"
J. 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.
"she'll never be any better" he
said. u know we've said good-by to
her for the last time"
"Oh. Dwight" said Lulu.
"She knew 1t. too" he said. at
1t put me out of business. can tell
you. She gave me my start-she took
all the care Of me-taught me to
read-she's the only mother l ever
knew" He stopped. and opepcd his
eyes wide on account of their dimness.
But eventually they were back
again before that new black bag. And
Di would say nothing. She laughed,
squIrmed. grew irritable. laughed
again.
Put an end to this. Lulu" be conn.,
manded. -Where were you two
since you make such a mysteryr
DIS look at Lulu was piteous, ter
rifed. DIS fear OF her father was
now clear to Lulu. And Lulu feared
him. too. Abruptly she heard her
self temp0rixing, for the moment
making common cause with Di.
"Oh." she said, I'VE have a little
secret. Can't we have . secret II we
want oneT
Upon my word" Dwight comment
ed. "she has beautiful secret. +
don't know about your secrets, Lulu"
Every time that he did this, that
Meet. lifted look Of Lulu's seemed to
bleed
tssTsrn Glad Frv vvr,r .af.-