The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-09-26

/ like the goldfish floating about II
that tail bowl"
There are other goldfish down
r stairs. and did you ever see anythinj
so wonderful az the fowers?" Eller
contributed. "Just freesia lilies In thu
! music room. and masses OF pussy
, willows in the hall. and early violets
|. here-Gibbs. dear" and she came close
to him. and put her hand on his shout
der. ARE we lucky. or whatT
did you get that delicate insinua-
ton of what we were to do in sum
mer?' her husband questioned in turn
do you suppose they expect us to live
here?"
Gibbs" Ellen answered, with a
cautious look about that amused him.
ii looks like IT ="
"And you know" she went on hap
PLY, when she had taken simple,
soft little brown dress from the closet
where Keno had carefully arranged
all her clothes, and was brushing her
dark hair, "you know. it would be sim
ply wonderful beyond words to be
here, Gibbs, and then for you to have
a studio In town. I've always felt
that II was a mistake for families to
combine. but If we had the studio, and
| could stay there for a night or two.
and then with your father and Lillian
| going TO town as much as they do,
and leaving US alone here. 1t wouldn't
be like falling over each other all the
time And. Gibbs. If it's like this
now. imagine what June VIII be-and
how Tommy will love Il 70
She was happy tonight. happier tnan
she had yet been in this old atmos-
phere that was yet so strangely puz-
zllng and new. Life in the city had
been trying. she had been conscious
hundred times day that she was I'M
fitted for 1t. But now she was back
In the country. Aunt Elsie and Joe
and grandpa only few miles away
this was her own atmosphere. They
would soon dilute the luxury of LII
Iian's home with intervals in some
simpler place where Gibbs could lunch
in his old panty jacket. If he liked,
and where Ellen could cook little
even If II were on a gas stove. and
garden a little. even If 1t were only in
a window garden. And he would be
ings, and she would go to market with
Tommy beside her. and hear him his
reading lesson, and make him spend
half an hour on exercises with his
violin.
what are you smiling about?' |
Gibbs asked. as they went downstairs, |
with his arm about the velvet dress.
He had told her he liked that foolish |
little dress. and the violets pinned be-
side the prim white collar
''Youl" She gave him the usual an
swer, and as usual. he tipped her
bright face up for kiss.
A moment later her father-in-law
called her from the entrance hall
downstairs. Ellen ran down TO join
him, and to walk about the bare gar
len with him. respectfully asking him
questions about the lawn and the
-oses.
Gibbs went on TO the long drawing
Dom. where Lillian was standing,
dressed In some Oriental shapeless
garment that CLEANED with rich EN-
'roidery. She was staring down at the
ire. her beautiful dark head bent; she
H. |
When his shadow fell across her
'ision she looked up. her eyes grave.
hen she smiled, and merely shaped
he word Gibbs with her lips before
hopping her eyes again.
ELLEN is oui In the garden with
adj" Gibbs volunteered. rubbing his
ands before the blaze. Lillian gave
i'm an absent look. and fell 10 dream
~ again. Little flames licked noisily
bout the backlog. in the silence.
After few minutes Gibbs gave his
tepmother a quick look; il was as II
2 saw her. young. beautiful. troubled
,r the first time. Something was
taking her unusually silent tonight;
e wondered what it could be.
Headache. Lilllan?' he ventured
he words sounded curiously intimate
nd tender as he heard them fall. he
nd quick flash Of difidence Did
2 cell her "Lillian?' But of course
? did,
She looked up with her slow smile.
NO. Gibbs Just one Of" she
used her hand quickly over her fore
'ad frowned family. and sighed
ust one of nv bad times" she SAID
Try low. looking down at the fire
-ain. TIN not on speaking terms
It'll your friend tonightv
His friend? Gibbs could not under
and her. she would not call Ellen
at. She would not speak so of his
Their. He could only echo her words
lpidly: !.
my friendT
your friend Lillian" she eluci-
ted smillngly. Gibbs felt ali unex-
cted sensation at his heart. He did
I speak again. Eor did she. and :.
len Ellen and the old man came up
I'm the garden. chilly and laughing.
tn few early violets adding their /.
I freshness 10 Ellen's other violets. !.
lian and Gibbs were still standing :
fore the fireplace. and still silent.