Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-01-14
CHAPTER I.YI

CHAPTER LXI
Byrd told her father and mother
that Larry was out of town for a
few weeks, and that explanation
seemed to be sufficient for a while.
But after the second week. her
fathers quizzicsl glsnces in her d.
re~ction, and her mothers direct
questions began 10 give her a de-
cidedly uncomfortable feeling.
In order to avoid her mothers
dictatorship around the house, Byrd
started right at the beginning of her
visit home to 20 down to the bank
with her father every morning. lie
had kept her busy and had seemed
glad to have her helping him. But
even this began to pail. Work in a
country bank was not as exciting rs
a position ss Mr.. Folks secretary.
Byrd helped Minnie with the
dishes every night, and was usually
on the point of screaming when
they had finished. Minnie was a par
ticularly stupid person and asked
the same questions owe and over
again about city life.
Afterwards she usually sat with
the family. including Minnie, around
the Handicapped sitting room table.
her father reading his paper. her
mother with her sewing and Minnie
gaping at her through 'er thick
lens. ready to ask another question.
1T beats me that you haven't
heard from Larry since you've been
here" said her mother. sharply.
"Who said | hadn't heard from
him? asked Byrd. assuming an in
juFed tone.
"Well, there amt no latter come
TO this housed" snapped Mrs. Ham,
ilton erimly. between Sc. teeth.
"And ! haven't heard you say you'd
gotten any mail at the bank"
Lor a second Byrd was nonplused.
She knew that she could never take
her mother into her confidence. not
until she wa forced 70. She looked
desperately toward her father for
help.
What's that you're saying. Het?'
he inquired, as If he'd heard just
the tsle-end of the conversation. Mrs.
Hamilton repeated her words.
"And IL you ask me, ] think It's
mighty queer for a young married
m a bride of not yet a year, TO
20 traipsing off every little while,
making her Woodworking husband
pay unnecessary travelling expen-
ses."
Her father laughed good natnred-
~. Nothing could ruffle him. he
had the poise of a man without a
single nerve in his body.
well. IL you'd give Byrd a chance
instead of doing all the talking
yourself. she'd probably tell you
that she gets q telegram every other
day or so and in a letter she got at
the bank the other day Larry said
he was moving around 20 last tns'
he'd just wire her instead of writ
ing. That stock Of his is selling
like popcorn hallsi"
"Wel, IL he's in this part of the
country, IL looks pretty funny 20 me
that he can't run down over sun
day 10 see his folks" Mrs. Hamilton
continued. biting out the words
with a gritting sound like the gnasn'
iRr Of teeth.
aWell. II he's in this part OF the
little sniveling detail about your
son-in-law's affairs" continued MI
Hamilton. "he explained that too
He had to 20 up to Cleveland after
his partners death and straighter
out a mess Of things there That
took several week-ends. ] suppose
Byrd looked with amusement and
gratitude at her father. And siteI
her mother had gone upstairs 20 get
ready for bed. they giggled toetnei
over the scene
~Gosh. Jim said Byrd. eyein- hs'
father with admiration, what
whoopinx liar you've become"
"A fib now and then suits the hon
sstsst of men," he answered. with
righteous look n his laughing eyes
Byrd felt a little better the mex
morning. She hoped her mother ma
been silenced for some time.
~0h. yummyi" she exclaimed. q
Mrs. Hamilton hrou-ht In = dish q
stsamir- fried mush e The break
fast table. what q treat Tor a hun
gry tumny. I don't know when I've
tasted fried musht"
you wouldn't expect city folks u
cook anything that's economical ever
III it's good began Mrs. Hamilton
Or the arr everlasting note 81
criticism ~why IN the world yog
don't have things like cooked hcm
| my and fried murh fo- breakfast