The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1923-04-06
CHAPTER vI.-contInued

| 'Tiving-or getting ready to. He
Just moved In"
my landi" Mrs. Wopple, who hat
been standing in the doorway, leanet
against the jamb, as II props in he
system had suddenly given way
"Well, II he's goin' to try to live W
there, he must be awful poor"
IT don't know" replied Mrs. Pen
field calmly. 81 haven't asked him.
"Guess there amt no need" shifted
Mrs. Wopple. ACTIONS is good 'nougf
evidence. At his time of life, he must
be a failure II he's wlllln' to hang
out in a place that nobody ever
thought of livin' In. Me, I'm glad I'm
well connected. Amt nobody In my
family but what lives better'n I do
and I'm pretty comfortable"
'That's NICE" commented Mrs. Pen
field cordially. "Ain't nothing 80 sat
isfying as being satisfied"
"There you go laughin' again." said
Mrs. Wopple, with a touch Of exas-
peration. II s'pose in another min
ute you'll be tellln' me you like failure
better'n success"
Mrs. Penfield was amused, rather
than offended. mo, shan't, although
sometimes there amt much dlfrrunce
in 'em. Depends on what kind you
mean. There's some kinds Of success
that I'd be glad to head straight for.
But l expect you meant money. cause
that's what Uncle Jerry amt giving
many symptoms of having"
"Sure l meant money. Way it's
with me, hain't got no respect for
man that can't make money"
'Is that sol" Mrs. Penfield's ques
ton was purely rhetorical also care
fully impersonal, although mentally
she glanced for a moment at the
weakened man who was Mrs. Wopple's
husband, with the selfish, inquisitive
eyes and the selfish, grasping hands.
Money success Is something I've
specialized bout considerable; It's
one Of the queerest things l know Of.
Pears like IT amt anything In Itself;
It's Just something that you can use
any way you like"
Exactly" put In Mrs. Wopple, nod
ling vigorously. That's why"
"Say, Car'line, where In thunder's
your hammer And you got any old |
in7 The mouse-holes is as thick"
The voice, growing nearer, stopped
lbruptly as Uncle Jerry entered the
Iitchen and perceived an unknown
lelghbor. Mrs. Penfeld introduced
i'm.
PLEASED to meet you, I'm sure" ac-
Mrs. Wopple irreproach-
bly,. 81 hope you're goin' to enjoy
ourself In Mis- Penfield's loft" Her
dice was acidly sweet.
Jerry Winston's eyes twinkled.
I'm going to s'prise you by
Ding that very thing"
To Mrs. Penfield's amazement, they
,oked steadily at each other through
moment of tacit appraisement, more
gnificant than speech. And Ii was
5 II each felt the decision of the
Their and acted upon 1t, for Mrs. ,
ropple flushed and departed with ,
devastating; and when ,
lie had gone, Jerry Winston laughed ;
Sweet little damew he murmured. :
Pepper up an icicle, and you got her j
iplicate, chi" q
"Sh-h, Uncle jerry" begged Mrs. 7
enfield In whisper. Here's Per- a
Inlal Prue coming, and l wouldn't t
I'VE her hear you" S
"Who's sheY inquired Uncle Jerry, v
a corresponding whisper. Il guess
] get out"
you will not" Mrs. Penfeld Z
ught his hand. "She's ,ne of the S
,est--" She broke off. n
Prudence Hapgood was standing In Il
g doorway. She was of delicate "
lid, dainty, with a pretty air of d
f-possession that resulted from the "
nsciousness Of family background L
longer young. she had yet retained o.
my Of the elements or youth, like a 81
wer that has been dipped in wax. Il
III I'm intruding-"
Nonsense, my DEAR" interposed d.
s. Penheld. You're always well fl
ne. Besides, / want you to get II
luainted with my Uncle Jerry" HI
Prudence Hapgood acknowledged Ii
, Introduction with grace that was b,
usual in The Custard Cup. But II
ny Winston betrayed embarrass- W
Mt most surprising, most unlike IN
accustomed assurance. A flush ps