Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-12-26
CHAPTER xiv

Byrd ate her breakfast alone.
Mrs. Hamilton refused to speak to
her, and Pat was lying in bed. i'll.
Byrd was grateful for the presence
OF Mandy. She helped a little to
cover her feeling Of terrible depres-
sion. 1t seemed to Byrd that all her
efsJrts since her marriage had been
III vain. She felt that everything
was doomed, her marriage, her home,
her whole life. Everythingl
A shivcr trickled every now and
then up and down her spine. as shc
recalled the awful scene Of the night
before.
She would remember TO her dying
day the look on Pats face as Hen
r%ietta's tall, lank figure, resembling
In her h~igh-neckcd. long-sleeved, cot
ton nightdress n Of Dante
avenging angels straight from purga-
tory, glowered in the doorway.
Mrs. Hamilton had wormed every
thing out OF them. She had learned
that Pat wasn't IL business college.
She had learned that she was spend
ing the allowance her father had
given her b. put her through school,
chasing around. She had learned
that she was working in a DEPART
ment store. And. horror Of horrors,
she knew that Pat was "under the
influence Of
"To think Id live 70 see the day
when one Of my girls should come
to this!" she mosned. I'D rather
see her dead!"
She had collapsed into the little
rocker and sat with her head bur
led in her hands. her whole gaunt
frame shaking with terrific sobc.
Byrd was terribly sorry for her.
Mons, dear" said Byrd, diffident'
ly. putting her arms around heI
mothers shoulders, "it's not a. bad
rs that. You're just letting yourself
think the worst about things. Pat
hasn't been chasing around. THIS
just happened TO happen!"
rms. Hamilton flung off Byrd''
arms as II they were vipers.
"And you try to protect her and
excuse her" she famed up again
you're no better than your sister
young lady. thought you'd have u
set her a good example and that
v.Juld straighten you out. to. You
probably led her TO this!"
Byrd decided not 20 roll up fur
Their waters already turbid.
They had talked on and on FOL
hours, getting nowhere. Pat and
Byrd taking turns trying to ap-
pease their mother and to %convince
her that Pat wasn't the kind of per
son that her mother seemed 10 er.
JOY thinking she was.
well. young woman" said Mrs
Hamilton, finally. cycling Pat as il
she were q leper that nigh. contam-
inato the world, "you'rc going back
TO Jacksonville with me tomorrow
night"
Poor Patl Byrd heart ached foi
her. She wished she could prevent
her going back home, but Byrd knew
that her mother was adamant when
once her mind was made up.
She nibbled at a little piece OF
toast and dipped into her ..-g. Her
appetite was completely gone.
"Wa'sa matter. honey?" asked
Mandy. dclefully. "You amt c;
tfloUkH " hNNB NhAH - $3.50
alive"
Byrd tried to smile into Msndy's
face.
did you aver read Aristotle =
asked Byrd. suddenly. His philoso'
ply was that even amidst chaos, one
could find happiness. don't be
lieve it,"
Mandy looked startled.
"G'wan, Mis- Browning, / heart
this Aristotle preach las Sunday an
he says"
You're fooling," laughed Byrd
Observation-Disclosures v TOLD
me your last name, Amanda"
"lt's my last husban's last name
ma'am," said Mandy. "My las
| names Ammonia. Mandy Ammonia
When she was talking TO Mandy
the telephone rang. II was Progress.
Polk, asking her to stop down at the
bank some time during the morn'
inr.
Byrd was glad to have an excus x
get out OF the house
She ran up TO see Pet before she
left. but Pat was sleeping.
She looked like a pink petal curl