The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-28
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I'VE young wife with eager interest.
She was a stranger in Carson
Center; absorbed in her new home,
and Fred's old teacher had not met her
before. Mrs. Armitase did not dream
that Miss lacey had been her husband
teacher, and the aunt who had brought
him up did not think to mention the
fact. - b IS
Almost instantly Miss Lacey got an
inkling of the situation. The talk was
surface talk, and Mrs. Armitage held
her own there brightly enough, but
there was an undercurrent Of trouble
something wrong, and she had come to
talk it over with the aunt who had
beenla mother to Fred. The old teach.
er knew well that she was not invited
to the party, but she meant to stay just
the same, and get the whole matter
clear. Fred was one Of the most prom
ising Of her many boys.
All at once the converse ton Ian.
kuished and then died. The strained
atmosphere had penetrated to Fred'e
aunt at last. f-sss fss &
whats the matter, Matte? Any
thing wrong?' she asked.
Don't mind. me. ] helped raise
Fred Miss Lacey interjected.
aShe surely did" exclaimed Mrs.
Nelson. Anything wrong with him n
she asked anxiously.
The young woman controlled her;
self with difficulty. She spoke evenly,
but there was an ocean of tears in her
voice, just ready to break through. y
don't know she said, '.that's the trou.
L Bile. 1 don't know. UsualIy ] can tell
what to do when ! know what Is wrong
don't know now"
TEL US all about it." urged Miss
Lacey. s
siYou know Fred does extra worA
for his. firm evenings at home. She
glanced ct Mrs. Nelson, and the latter
nodded. 1T Is some sort Of expert
mental work, all fixtures and drawings.
Fred tried once to explain it to me
but have no head for such things.
couldn't grasp IL. 49,
mot hecessary," interposed Mis-
NO; know that. He has one d
these revolving cases Of books at his
right hand, beside his desk. / never
touch his desk. 1t IL In awful disorder
always, papers scattered everywhere
ibut he says he knows where everything
| Is. / never touch it, even to dust ii
But those books were In needless con.
fusion---bie and little all mixed to
lgether, and some Of the smallest on ths
lowest shelves Yesterday I took then
all off and busted the shelves and book
and arranged them up In an orderly
way--the big ones on the lowest shelves
and graduated according to- size. II
made difference in the looks Of tht
whole room.H
Miss Lacey, who had been listening
with the utmost intensity, leaned bacl
in her chair and relaxed.
Last night, when Fred had finished
his supper, she went into his study anG
after had washed the dishes and got
my embroidery frame and followed him
He had taken every book off thost
shelves and was putting them back al
hikgledy .piggledy," she concluded.
| Miss lacey glanced whimsically al
Fred'S aunt, but the latter's face wal
blank as sheet of paper.
You thought it was pnre whim J?
asked Miss Lacey, .fs,.i s.
II certainly did, and little hateful
He was not pleased because l hAt
touched them and wanted me to know
It. know he hadn't time to rearrang,
them then. It was some sort Of rrel
work. He was busy far into the night
He wanted to make me uncomfortable.
/ what did he say about it?1
Not one word, He didn't see m,
then, and / slipped away till he hat
them all back. He never talks wheI
he IL busy and don't talk unless b,
speaks to me. This morning thing
were strained--for the first time" He
voice broke and her face was piteous
HE usually is cheerful at breakfas
and he hardly spoke"
"It was you that were constrained
probably" commented Miss Lacey
thoughtfully. Fred was tired to dealt
and in a hurry. Your disarransing hi