Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1923-08-16


resentment and anger had hardened
within him; he scarcely noticed Miss
C"nifee, so slight in the gray wolfe,
with an appropriate pale flower under
the close rim Of her hat. After sup
per the three sat uneasily In a May
evening palpably silver under the
moon, warm spring breeze barely
stirred the foliage of the trees,
piano played and stopped.
Lewis Beftleman's anger deserted
him, but he ached as though 1t had
left an actual wound Eldreda rose,
remaining immobile, statuesque, wait
ing for moment, and then, without
explanation, vanished into the hall
This created In his mind an image of
her leaving for the West for Cali
fornia. His wife as well, had spoken
Of going. He could come out and see
them in the winters. Sharply voice
within him whispered, cried, that he.
didn't have to; they couldn't drag him
to California.
1t wasn't, however. of himself that
he was thinking, nor of Eldreda and
Nanine. but of Miss Conifee. His adj
miration for her, he discovered, was
immeasurable And rightly; person
of integrity, who had given her vital
ity. her life, to him and his interest.
Now she was an old maid. But he
discarded that term as soon as II &C.
cured to him-Nliss Conifee was
nothing 50 absurd. With money, with
the security he was about to offer her.
she'd have more hats with roses, roses
pink and not gray.
Miss Eldreda IS beautiful" she
said. sudden ard wistful 1--WE must
see that she gets to California.
Couldn't we do II this fall, Mr.. Bette
MANI"
This summer" he corrected her;
"and Mrs. Beitleman is going with
her"
"Rut who will stay with your Miss
Conifee demanded.
"Pll be all right" he assured her.
can go out and see them in the win
tiers If / have to-"
II don't understand" she replied,
slowly.
"You will soon enough" all his re-
straint was gone. 81 don't care how
soon they leave and If they never
come back. If my money is all they
want they can have 1t. most of It,
and I'm well rid OF them. What are
they to me- I'd like to know, the way
you are? Nothing. You and me have
slaved for them long enough. From
now on we're going to work some for
ourselves. we're going to have little
ease and days off rolling over the
country"
Turned toward Miss Conifee he saw
her sway in her chair, and then she
Numbered to her feet
"Mr. Beitleman. her voice was so
chOked that she was practically mar
ticulate. "What-what do YOU
mean? Whatever in my conduct gave
you the liberty to say such things?"
She sank back into the chair. "T'm,
I'm all in a tremble." There was the
stopped heave Of sob. "Under-
stand that I am leaving your employ
ment as soon as you can get some
body else"
miss Conifee," Lewis Beitleman
was aghast, chow could you think I'd
insult you-you being you and me,
me. I only want to protect you, your
old age, l mean. / tried to get Mrs.
Beitleman and Eldreda to agree in
making you partner, but it was no
good. they couldn't see It; so / was
going to LET them 60"
"You put 1t very queer" she said:
"but I'm sorry l took you like that.
Thank you, Mr.. Policeman" tremor
shook and interrupted her. In the
silence which followed he was con-
sciouS of the fragrance of the locust
petals as they scattered through the
air. Life might it ought to be, the
same, happy and free and-and sweet.
Miss COnifee's voice. small but infex-
ible, final, answered his vague rebel
liouS aspiration. Il could never ac-
cept anything from you that way; re-
member who they are your
wife and daughter!"
From the floor above came the thin
sound Of lazy and contemptu0us
singer