The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-05-13

in at his driveway and he was expecting
no one. Moreover, he recognized the two
figures on the back seat as those of his
daughter Miriam and her young son.,
frankie. Miriam had never come to visit
him without any fOreWarn1ng, at least
by telephone, though she lived only sixty
miles away; and when she came it was
alWayS in her own car. This arrival by
taxicab from a train was therefore I'M
exampled, and not only surprised him
but appeared to him as a portent Of i'm
pending disturbance. Miriam had al
ways been what he called "emOtional"-
he feared she was bringing some emotion
Of hers to him now
There was a porte-cochere at the side
of the house opposite the croquet ground,
and, when the taXicab stopped there and
Miriam descended her father perceived
at once that his prophetic disquiet had
been warranted. Agitation was but too
easily perceptible in her expression, in
her voice, n in the gesture with which
she drew her son to her side when he
to cling to him and to lean upon him
lin a widowed manner hat the twelve
year old boy himself little appreciated.
81 wish you'd let me alone, mamma
he said peeviShly. you're all right now;
you've taken ammonia enough, heavens
knows!'
His mother smiled pathetically. eyes,
Frankie" she said, and turned from him
to greet her father, breathing upon Mr..
Wtlover's cheek, as she kissed him, the
heavy sigh Of n who expects soon to
sob aloud.
you're staying over night with meP'
he asked.
"Im staying" she replied, and as he
|, glanced n~ervously at two small travelling
bags the cabman was delivering to 8
the house she added, "Our trunks will
. be here tomorrow, I suppose"
: your trunks, Miriam?"
Before replying she placed a black
gloved hand upon her visibly heavine
breast, closed her eyes, bit her tremulou'
lower lip hard, and, having thus tenn
porarily controlled herself, inquired fol-
Clytie. IF she's here viii you send fol
her n let her entertain frankie
! please?" she said. ST must have a tall
d with you instantly; but the poor chile
has been. through enough. Perhaps ely
t tie could play with him outdoors while
Y we go n to your library"
I'll call her." Mfr. Willover said, anC
went to summon his granddaughter
though frankie showed no enthusiasm.
I don't want to play" he said. ANY
how, I certainly don't want to with tina
old Clytie. She may be my cousin, bu
don't care If she is; she's Of no interes
on earth to me-"
"Hush!" his mother warned him. "Her
she is"
Clytie, making her appearance witt
her grandfather around a corner Of tn
house, gave her aunt a kiss Of polit
welcome, but was noncommittal in greet
ing her cousin
q "Howdydo, Frankie" She said, an
looked at him with a grave but enig
matte attention. He nodded, and locke
= at her not at all.
Run and play, children" his mothe
said gently; then with q udden impuls
y caught frankie tightly in her arms
kissed him hurriedly, uttered a sob, an
rushed into the house with a handker
chief busy at her eyes and nose.
= Her father followed her to the Iibrar
and closed the door,. Already she wa
extended upon a leathern couch, weep
ing convulsively.
"Oh, dea- mei'' he said. what is
now, MiriamP"
"'Now?'" she sobbed. "You say, ''Whs
is 1T now, as If it were always sornethin
with meas If I were always coming I
you with something wrongI Is the fairq
1T was just an inadvertence." he sal
wisely. II mean: What's the matter?"
- She sat upright and checked her sok
p bling. I've left him." she said. 'I'