Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-09-13

hate Bobby Larkin and the whole
school knows it,
Mr.. Deacon returned to the dining
room, humming in his throat. He en-
tered upon pretty scene.
his Ina was darning Four minutes
of grace remaining to the child Mo-
mona, she was spinning on one toe
with some Bacchanalian idea of max
ing the most Of the present. Di domi-
mated, her ruffies, her blue hose, her
bracelet, her ring.
"Oh, and mamma" she said, 1.-THE
sweetest party and the dearest sup
per and the darlingest decorations and
the gorgeousest-"
Grammar, grammar" spoke Dwight
Herbert Deacon. He was not sure
what he meant. but the good fellow
felt some violence done somewhere or
other.
Well" said hi positively. 'they
were. Papa, see my favor"
She showed him sugar dove, and
he clucked at it.
Ina glanced at them fondly, her face
assuming its lovellest light. She was
often ridiculous, but always she was
the happy wife and mother, and her
role reduced her individual absurdities
at least to it's own.
The door to the bedroom now
opened and Mrs Bett appeared.
swell, motherw cried Herbert, the
well" curving like an arm. the
mother descending like brisk slap.
Hungry now?p
Mrs. Bett was hungry now. She had
emerged intending TO pass through the
room without speaking and find food
in the pantry. BY obscure processes
her son-in-law's tone inhibited all this.
"No," she said. I'm not hungry
Now that she was there, she seemed
uncertain what to do. She looked
from one to another a bit hopelessly,
somehow foiled in her dignity. She
brushed at her skirt, the veins of her
long, wrinkled hands catching an in
tenser blue from the dark cloth. She
put her hair behind her ears.
1--WE put a potato in the oven for
you" said Ina. She had never learned
quite how to treat these periodic re-
fusals of her mother to eat, but she
never had ceased to resent them.
"No, thank you" said Mrs. Bett
Evidently she rather enjoyed the stu
alton, creating for herself a spotlight
much in the manner of Monona
Mother" said Lulu, '1et me make
vn,, Soma taoet ap1 ION
Mrs. Bett turned her gentle, blood
less face toward her daughter and
her eyes warmed.
"After a little, maybe" she said. II
think I'll run over to see Grandma
Gates now" she added, and went
toward the door.
"Tell her." cried Dwight, "tell her
she's my best girl"
Grandma Gates was a rheumatic
cripple who lived next door, and when
ever the Deacons or Mrs. Belts were
angry or hurt or wished to escape the
over to Grandma Gates-in lieu of,
say, slamming a door. These visits
radiated an almost daily friendliness
which lifted and tempered the old in
valids lot and life.
Di flashed out at the door again, on
some trivial permission.
"A good many of mammals stitches
in that dress to keep Clean" Ina called
after.
early, darling, early'' her father
reminded her. A faint reorganization
of his was somehow invested with the
paternal.
whats thisg' cried Dwight Her
bert Deacon abruptly.
On the clock shelf lay a letter.
"Oh, Dwighti |" Ina was all compunc-
ton. at came this morning. / for
got"
81 forgot it tool And 1 laid it up
there" Lulu was eager for her share
Of the blame.
isn't it understood that my mail
can't wait like thisr'
Dwight's sense of importance was
now being fed in gulps.
II know. I'm awfully sorry" Lulu
said. but you hardly ever get let
ter"
This might have made things worse,
but 1t provided Dwight with greater
Importance.
"Of course. pressing matter goes to
my Office" he admitted it. "Still, my
mail should have more careful"
He read, frowning. He replaced the
letter. and they hung upon his mo-
lions as he tapped the envelope and
regarded them.
"Nowr' said he. "What do you
think l have to tell your"
Something nice" Ina was sure
Something surprising" Dwight said
portentiously.
"But, Dwight--is 1t nicer from his
Ina.
''That depends. 1 like it. son
Lulu" He leered at her. ITS com
pany."
ooh, Dwight" said Ina. "Whof
From Oregon" he said. toying with
his suspense.
"Your brothert" cried Ina. rs he
comingT'
Eyes. Ninian's coming, so he says. :
"Ninian p cried Ina again. She was
excited round-eyed. her moist lips
parted Dwight's brother Ninian. How