The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-01-18


had carried. The latter already re
posed in the obscurity selected for it
at the base Of one Of the box-trees.
Then she was abruptly silent.
You certainly are a funny girl"
Bowling remarked. you say you
don't want to talk about anything, at
all, and all of sudden you break out
and talk blue streak; and just about
the time I begin to get interested in
what you're saying you shut off!
What's the matter with girls, any
how, when they do things like that?"
Il don't know; we're just queer,
guess"
Il say so. Well, what'll we do now?
Talk. or just sit?"
Suppose we just sit some more"
Anything to oblige," he assented.
I'm willing to sit as long as you
like"
But even as he made his amiability
clear in this matter, the peace was
threatened-his mother came down
the corridor like a rolling. ominous
cloud She was looking about her
on all sides, in a fidget of annoyance.
searching for him, and to his dismay
she saw him. She Immediately made
horrible face at his companion,
beckoned TO him imperiously with
dumpy arm. and shook her head re-
rrovingly The unfortunate young
man tried to repulse her with an icy
stare, but this effort having obtained
little to encourage his feeble hope
Of driving her away. he shifted his
chair so that his back was toward
her discomflting pantomine. He
should have known better, the in
slant result was Mrs. Bowling In
motion at an impetuous waddle.
She entered the box-tree seclusion
with the lower rotundities of her face
hastily modelled into the resemblance
# an over-benevolent smile-a con
tortion which neglected to spread its
intended geniality upward 20 the ex-
i.sperated eyes and anxious forehead.
Il think your mother wants to
speak to you, Frank" Alice said, up
on this advent.
Mrs. Bowling nodded to her. Good
evening, Miss Adams" she said. IT
just thought as you and Frank
weren't dancing you wouldn't mind
my disturbing you"
Not at all" Alice murmured.
Mr.. Bowling seemed Of a different
mind We'll, what do you want?"
he inquired. whereupon his mother
struck him roguishly with her fan.
Bad fellow" She turned to Alice
I'm sure you won't mind excusing
him to let him do something for his
old mother. Miss Adams
What do you want?" the son re
peated.
Two very nice things" Mrs.
Bowling informed him. Everybody
is so anxious for Henrietta Lamb to
have a pleasant evening, because it's
the very first time she's been any
where since her fathers death. and
II course her dear grandfather's an
old friend OF ours, and"
Well, well.' her son interrupted.
Miss Adams isn't interested IN all
this. mother"
But Henrietta came to speak to
lila and me, and I told her you were
so anxious to dance with her"
Here" he cried. Look here! I'd
rather do my own"
Yes; that's just IT," Mrs. Dow
ling explained "I just thought il was
such a good opportunity; and Hen
rletta said she had most OF her dances
taken, but she'd give you one II you
asked her before they were all gone.
So I thought you'd better see her as
soon as possible"
Dowling's face had become rosy.
L refuse to do anything Of the kind"
Bad fellow said his mother.
gaily. Il thought this would be the
best time for you to see Henrietta.
because it won't be long till all her
dances are gone. and you've promised
on your word to dance the next with
Ella, and you mightn't have a chance
to do It then. I'm sure Miss Adams
won't mind it you"
Not at ALL" Alice said.
well. I mindr' he said. Il wish
you could understand that when
want to dance with any girl 1 don't
need my mother to ask her for me. ]
really am moro than six years oIdr'
He spoke with too much vehe-
mence, and Mrs. Bowling at once saw
how to have her away. As with hus-
bands and wives. so with many fathers
and daughters. and so with some sons
and mothers; the man will himself be
cross in public and think nothing of
/ it, nor will he greatly mind a little
| crossness on the part OF the woman;
but let her show agitation before any
spectator, he is instantly reduced to
d towards slavery. Women under
stand that ancient weakness. Of course
| for It is one Of their most important
| means OF defense, but can be used ig-
nobly.
| Mrs. Bowling permitted a tremulous-
ness to become audible in her voice
1T isn't very-very pleasant-to be
talked to Ike that by your own son
before strangers
"Oh, my! Look here" the stricken
| Bowling protested. 81 didn't say any
thing. mother. I was just Joking
about how you never get over think
ing I'm little boy. I only"
Mrs. Bowling continued: II just
thought I was doing you little ia.
YOUR didn't think it would make
you so angry"
Mother, for goodness sake! Miss
Adamsn think
Il suppose" Mrs. Bowling inter
rupted, piteously. IT suppose It doesn't
matter what I think,'
"Oh, graciousr'
Alice interfered; she perceived that
the ruthless Mrs. Bowling meant to
have her way. 81 think you'd better
go. Frank. Really"
''Therep, his r,nnthnr rr-iod nNri.n