The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-11-14
IL


hilcu Huslltu, anu managed q smile,
before she answered bravely:
"Oh, she fascinated him, 1 think,
from the first. 1 don't know" Her
voice dropped YEARLY. Hell come
back, and he'll be sorry for this quar-
REL" she added, after a silence. And
you'll forgive him. won't your"
Il struck him." the old man repeat
ed somberly. Il don know how l ever
came to do a thing like that Yes
yes" he added, sadly. 1--WE must make
1t up-my boy and 1. 1 never should
have brought you both here--a man is
dull about such things. Well Wen
make 1t up: and you and he shall start
fresh somewhere"
Dinner, Mrs. Josselyn," said Flor
ence In the doorway, rather timidly,
breaking a few minutes of silence In
the study.
Il think I'll not dine" the old man
began quickly. But Ellen wen to him
with a smile.
Indeed you'll diner" she decreed.
And, Florence, go see If Tommy has
had his Inner. If he has not, tell
Lizzie l said he might dine with US.
Youth feel very different" she said
TO her father-in-law. as they went to-
ward the dining room, when you've
had some hot soup, and perhaps Gibbs
will come back In time for some cof-
feel"
After dinner she and Tommy went
with Josselyn, Senior, into the study,
and even after Tommy was in bed
Ellen ran down again for a few friend
ly words of goodnight. She pleaded
a headache as an Reuse for going up
stairs almost Immediately after the
little boy, but as a matter of fact, 1t
was excitement rather than distress
that made Ellen long for the quiet of
her own fire tonight.
When Lizzie had gone to bed, Ellen
sat on, thinking. Lizzie came in, to
stand beside the fireplace, and talk to
her, ~half-shamed, half-shy, but yet
with a certain great happiness In her
face. And as Ellen drew from her the
story of the sordid home, h drink
and dirt and ~laziness, the unweIcome
babies, the lack of courage, self-con-
troll, kindness, of everything that
make life worth while, she marveied
at the world that could accept Lillian,
and cast Lizzie out as a sinner.
She had a book, but she could not
read 1t. Thoughts of the long day
would Interpose themselves between
her and the page. She remembered
the quarrel, herself in~nocently follow
ing Gibbs downstairs, and being ar
rested on the landing by the frighten-
ing, rough voices. How strange they
- - - -.f--
this unexplained and sudden animos-
ityi
"Now we will go away" Ellen
thought, in deep satisfaction. For
even though Gibbs became reconciled
to his father, he would no longer live
in the 'villino DELI Orto.' He would
take Ellen and Tommy to some little
apartments sunny kitchen-aDd the
old hilarious breakfasts
Ten O'Clock. Ellen reused herself
from a golden dream, and began to
prepare for bed. She stepped into the
next room for a goodnight look at
Tommy. Lizzie, in the narrow bed
beside his short, square bed. was
asleep, too. her relaxed little sensitive
face wearing a smile as childish as
Tommy's own. Before she got into
her own bed. Ellen put out her lights,
and stood at the window. looking out
at the dark, coll night.
1t was sharply clear. the stars shin
ing coldly. Against the bare shrubs
at an angle of the house she could see
the dull green light that filtered from
the bottle-end windows Of the study,
and far across the hills there was an
light, the country club, where
Gibbs perhaps had dined. Ellen left
q shaded light for him before the {
clock struck eleven she was sound I
Yet she was too tired and excited I
70 sleep deeply. and II seemed 70 her Z
that she had been waking and tossing
4 long time when a slight but definite {
ound awakened her. and she sat up [
bed. The night light was still burn
ng, and the fire had been coaxed into e
fresh life. It was after two O'Clock. 1
Gibbs, still dressed. was sitting star v
ng at the Goals. h
"Gibbs !" she said bewilderedly.
He got up. and as he came TO the
side of the bed she saw that his hair n
tossed about In disorder. and his Il
strangely pale. The cut on his d
looked ugly and swollen. and s
lis manner wa agitated and stern n
Look here, Ellen" he said QUICKLY. r
get out of here tomorrow morn RI
ng, do you understand? I'm done with Il
his house. I'll not stay here an IN g
hour, do you see?" n
why, certainly, dear. I'll go any
vhere-whatever you say y she said
oothingly. For a few minute he v
TODD looking at her gloomily. then his T
ace softened.
You're a good little thing, Ellen I" a
e said grufiy. The quick tears h
to her eyes as he turned n
way; she saw him through the gilt n,
sring haze of them. BE did not speak h,
gain. as he undressed, and Ellen b,
'avfng all talk of reconciliation and W
Manning unffl the morning. and