Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-07-10
. . .

If. as far a. she was concerned, thu
talk was over. Later on III be glac
to take my turn. In the summer per-
hapS, when the clubs aren't meeting
and l haven't a guest"
You're always having guests" sew
eral people said together.
No, after Lula's visit, l suppose ]
shall have to get my spare room ready
for Uncle Albert" Elisabeth said re-
signedly. IN tell you-he shall come
TO me the next time after this. But
since there's nothing to keep Frances
from taking him now"
But there is! l didn't finish telling
YOU" Frances cried.
Howard urged. Tell them what the
doctor said.
H said that l must have rest and
quiet for two months at least Fran
ces told them. II was at his Office
only this afternoon. He said l was SC
run down, nursing the baby. He saic
l must build up. l told him-my back
he said my nerves were in a really
serious condition. l can't take Uncle
Albert now, Elisabeth. You'll just have
to do it. You don't realize how hay
ing the baby affected my health, you're
so strong yourself"
Il need to be-" said Elisabeth bit
terly. We'll Lucas. it is between us, ]
suppose. And since Genevieve has NO
responsibilities, and you have plenty
of room for him, I don't think there is
any question which of us should take
him just now"
She looked at Lucas without mercy
1t was all very well to be sympathetic
with Lucas and try to help him, unless
her own plans were at stake. And
after all, everything she had said about
Genevieve was true. Genevieve had
nothing to do but amuse herself. And
even if Lucas marriage came to an
end, Elisabeth honestly thought Lucas
would be better of without Genevieve,
however much he might be hurt. at
first.
However. even Elizabeth couldn't
look at Lucas very long. His unhappi-
ness stood so nakedlv in his eyes.
Elisabeth, I haven't any excuse, but
couldn't you-this time" he stam-
mered, and ended abruptly, II can't
take him. I can't"
I'm sure I don't see why" Elisa
beth cried, not very severely. She was
weakening as she looked at him.
Il can't" he repeated. his voice low
And he added indistinctly, I'm afraid"
Il always knew" said Elisabeth
t~ragically, that it would have to be
mel"
At length they arranged a schedule.
Elisabeth was to have him for three
months. then Frances, then Brighton,
with Lucas turn coming last.
The two girls went upstairs, then,
to rouse their children who had been
put to bed. Presently they came down
again, Elisabeth carrying with diff
Guilty her year old daughter, who was
in a constant wriggle, and followed
sleepily by her two older children
Frances baby boy slept like a pink rose
against her neck.
AS they were joined by Lucas and
their husbands, and crowded into the
hall in all the confusion of such family
exits, Uncle Albert came in from the
show.
He stood just inside, leaning on the
knob of the closed door, and smiling
at them hazily. He was a little, Wiry
old man, and was generally in that
state which Pope described as harmoni-
Gus confusion. His age provided its
own obvious i~ntoxicatiOn, SO that, with
out reason, he was always Snugly hap
py. He had a quaint, benign manner
toward other people that sometimes
puzzled them, for they got the impress
sion that he thought he was giving
them something. He did the wrong
things with a bright confidence in their
rightness. His memory wa probably
the most faulty memory in current
circulation. There was nobody else
just like him, but his individuality did
not always endear him to his rela-
tiveS.
"Howdy, children" he began amiably
There was a man in the picture swum
a horse down a rapids"
His little blue eyes meditated over
the thrilling memory in pleasant
reverie. He would have gone on to
recount other daring deeds, except fol
Elisabeth, who felt nervOuSly depleted
and wanted to get home.
We've been talking about Brighton's
giving up the. house, Uncle. Albert
she told him. you're going to come
to stay with Ralph and me. I'll come
over tomorrow afternoon and help you
get your things together.
A shadow of distress passed for
moment like a film over his cOntentec
eyes. II was goin' out tomorrow tx
see Tommy Hicks of the Old Mems
home" he said sorrowfully.
1t was in this that he always
spoke Of his friend. Other people said
Lord Winton of London" or my
friend, Mr.. Dutton Field of New York
and Paris" and Uncle Albert said
Tommy Hicks of the Old Mems home
in Just the same way, and with thu
same expectation of respect.
I'm afraid you'll have to stay here,
said Elisabeth firmly, 80 that we car
pack your things. I'll come over 500
after luncheon, and you be waiting fol
me-"
He agreed submiSsively, wistfully.