The Glenwood post., 1924-03-27

Well, shed think; Miss Conifee
didn't have a thing suitable to wear
the gray voile That was Thurs
day. and. finally, it was arranged that
she should go out with Lewis Beitle-
man, for an evening at his home. on
Monday.
Isn't 1t ridiculous we never thought
Of this beforeY' he said to her on the
train.
Neither his wife nor Eldreda was
visible when. with Miss Conifee, he
reached the porch of his home. "Nan-
tne," he called through the open door,
Here we are" There was no answer,
and he was placing Miss Conifee in a
comfortable chair when Eldreda ap-
peared- Her manner, he recognized
was that of the earl's daughter greet
ing the faithful retainers from the
castle terrace-there was a quick
smile, widening of the notable eyes,
followed by a congealing Of every hu-
man aspect.
Lewis Beitleman knew this posture
well, and 1t specially irritated him.
Mamma" she said, has a touch of
neuralgia, and asks to be excused"
Il DIDN'T know that" he admitted
incautiously; "I'll go right up and see
her"
WHATS the matter with your he
demanded sharply, standing before the
recumbent Nanine.
ut hurts my face to talk" she ex-
planned hastily. He gazed steadily at
her, and then, without further speech,
turned and left the room. 1t was too
bad about Mrs Beitleman, Miss Con-
fee said. They were at the table, and
he was eating in savage silence.
Eldreda's hands dropped like spent
lilies on her wrists. She couldn't think
why they had cottage cheese-a dis
gusting dish.
"Smear-case," Lewis Beitleman cor
rected her, taking conspicuous Sec
ond helping. His disappointment, his
resentment and anger, had hardened
within him; he scarcely noticed Miss
Conifee, so slight In the gray voile,
with an appropriate pale flower under
the close rim of her hat. After sup
per the three sat uneasily In q May
evening palpably silver under the
moon, warm spring breeze barely
stirred the foliage of the trees,
piano played and stopped.
Lewis Beitleman'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 ad-
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 1t oc-
CURED to him-NIiss Conifee was
nothing so absurd. With money, with
the security he was about to offer her,
she'd have more hats with roses, roses
pink and not gray.
"AIiss Eldreda Is beautiful" she
said, sudden and wistful. ave must
see that she gets to California
Couldn't we do 1t this fall, Mr.. Beitle-
mani"
This summer" he corrected her; /;
"and Mrs. Beitleman Is going with
her."
"But who will stay with your Miss
Conifee demanded.
'Tll he all right" he assured her.
can go out and see them in the win
ters II l have to-"
~ don't understand" she replied,
slowly.
"You will soon enough" all his re-
straint was gone. II don't care how
soon they leave and If they never
come back. II my money is all they
want they can have 1t, most Of 1t,
and I'm well rid Of them. What are
they to me. I'd like to know. the way
you aref 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 a little
ease and days of rolling over the
country"
Turned toward Miss Conifee he saw
her sway In her chair, and then she
blundered to her feet
"Mr. Beitleman" her voice was so
choked that she was practically mar
ticulate. "What-what do you
mean1 Whatever in my conduct gave
you the liberty to say such things?"
She sank back into the chair. 'Tm.
I'm all In tremble." There was the
stopped heave Of a sob. "Under-
stand that am leaving your employ
ment as soon as you can get some
body else"
miss Conifee." Lewis Beltlemnn