The Holly chieftain., 1922-09-14

had opinions, cOntradicted, their eyes
were bright.
Toward nine o'clock Mrs. Bett an
nounced that she thought she should
have lunch. This was debauchery.
She brought in bread and butter, and
dish of cold canned peas She was
committing all the excesses that she
knew-offering opinions, laughing eat
ing. It was to be seen that this wom-
an had an immense store of vitality
perpetually submerged.
When she had eaten she grew sleepy
rather cross at the last and Inclined
to hold up her sisters excellencies to
Lulu; and, at Lulu's defense lifted an
ancient weapon.
Whats the use of finding fault
with Inie? Where'd you been If she
hadn't married?'
Lulu said nothing.
What say:' Mrs. Bett demanded
shrilly. She was enjoying it.
Lulu said no more. After long
time:
"You always was jealous of Inie,"
said Mrs. Bett, and went to her bed.
AS soon as her mothers door had
closed. Lulu took the lamp from it's
bracket, stretching up her long body
and her long arms until her skirt lift
ed to show her really slim and pretty
feet Lulu's feet gave news of some
other Lulu, but slightly incarnate.
Perhaps. SO far, incarnate only in her
feet and her long hair.
She took the lamp to the parlor and
stood before the photograph of Ninian
Deacon, and looked her fill. She did
not admire the. photograph, but she
wanted to look at it. The house was
still. there was no possibility of inter-
ruptiOn. The occasion became sensa-
tion, which she made no effort to
quench. She held rendezvous with
she knew not what
In the early hours of the next after
noon with the sun shining across the
threshold, Lulu was pairing something
at the kitchen table. Mrs. Bett was
asleep. (''I don't blame you a bit,
mother" Lulu had said. as her mother
named the intention.) Ina was asleep.
(But Ina always took of the curse by
calling 1t her "sl-esta," long ~ Mo-
mona was playing with neighbor's
child-you heard their shrill vet love-
ly laughter as they obeyed the adult
law that motion is pleasure. Di was
not there.
A man came round the house and
stood tying a puppy to the porch post.
A lopu cho 1pu, foil rn,,uh tho xvacf
doorway, the puppy whined.
"Oh," said this man. II didn't mean
to arrive at the back door, but since
I'm here"
He lifted suitcase to the porch,
entered and filled the kitchen.
"lt's Ina, Isn't it?" he said.
"I'm her sister," said Lulu. and un-
derstood that he was here at last.
"Well, I'm Bert's brother" said
Ninian. $50 can come In, can't II"
He did so. turned round like dog
before his chair and sat down heavily,
forcing his fingers through heavy, up
springing brown hair.
"Oh, yes" said Lulu. "I'll call Ina.
She's asleep"
Don't call her, then" said Ninian.
Lets you and get acquainted"
He said it absently, hasdly looking
at her
"I'll get the pup drink If you can
spare me basin," he added.
Lulu brought the basin and, while
he went to the dog. she ran tiptoeing
to the dining room china closet and
brought cut-glass tumbler, as heavy,
as ungainly as a stone crock. This
she filed with milk.
81 Thought maybe -. =" said she,
and offered it.
THANK you!" said Ninian, and
drained 1t. Making pies, as live"
he observed, and brought his chair
nearer to the table. Il didn't know
Ina had sister," he went on. II re-
member now Bert said he had two of
her relatives"
fully.
"He has" she said. ITS my mother
and me- But we do quite a good deal
of the work"
"I'll bet you do" said Ninian, and
did not perceive that anything had
been violated. whats your name?"
he hethought.
She was in an immense and obscure
excitement. Her manner was serene,
her hands as they went on with the
peeling did not tremble; her replies
were given with sufficient quiet. But
she told him her name as one tells
something of another and more re-
mote creature. She felt as one may
feel In catastrophe--no sharp under
standing, but merely the sense that the
thing cannot possibly be happening
You folks expect me?" he went on.
"Oh, yes!" she cried, almost with
vehemence. "Why, we've looked for
you every day."
"'See." he said, "how long have they
been married?"
Lulu flushed as she answered. eff.