Glacier County chief., 1940-04-05
CHAPTER I-Continued

ssohs BIG atcTndtcly JaDpeQ neE wei
eyes with her fingers and then fell,
from habit, to furious massage
Of her under-chin, quite unaware
that she did either. "Girls, you
know your mother and I were sis
tiers. We were closer than sisters.
We were almost like a couple of
sections of one soul. When we were
young, that is. We haven't seen
much of each other the last twenty
years, but we never changed. Now
you know, girls, have things pretty
nice with the Senator. And WASH
ington's lovely town, full of build
ings, and-and saddle paths and
golf courses-a very nice town!
We haven't any children of our own.
And no fault of ours, either, though
it's thrown up to US plenty during
campaigns that the best we have
done for posterity is a couple Of
pedigreed pups . But it's al
ways been a great grief to the Sem
ator and me, and II you girls would
come and make US a nice long visit
and-and live with US a while-you
might get to like it, in time. Limpy
could 60 to a girls school right
there and live at home. They've
got good schools in Washington and
il isn't as II we couldn't afford it.
Helen could get rested up after her
operation as her father wished, and
you could all take time to get over
this terrible shock and-get your
feet on the ground again. Washing
ton itself is an education. Every
body says Washington is q liberal
education. Too liberal some say, but
an education anyhow. Think what an
experience it would be for you three
young things to live for a while in
the town where great national fig
ures like Andrew jackson, Grover
Cleveland and Woodrow Wilson
lived, and did, and died for their
country, and sent their voices ring
ing down the corridor of time!"
The girls, who had gazed wide
eyed and speeches. at this surpris-
ing proposal, smiled family at that.
"But, Aunt Olympia, what would
the Senator think, having you PUNK
three large-sized orphan nieces down
on him like that?"
He'd love it! Who wouldn't"
she countered quickly. Especially
pretty ones!-I see Adele is still the
best-looking. But that's all right.
You're all good-looking enough, and
beauty isn't everything; though I
sometimes think" she added hon.
estly, that in most cases it seems
TO be plenty! . You know, girls"
she added pathetically, swabbling
absent-mindedly at her chin, II
adored your mother. And she loved
me! And I'd like-and I think she'd
ike-to have her children with me
as my very own for a while. She
knows how I felt about those chill
dren didn't have and I know she'd
like to lend me hers. And you new
er can tell what might come of
it. Everybody goes to Washington
some time or another. You can meet
anybody there: rich men, poor men,
diplomats, congressmen-the place
is lousy with congressman, both in
cumbent and ex. No one knows
what great, good things might come
Of your being there with me. What
do you think Of it," she asked ca
gerly.
I'VE are so surprised we can't
think at ALL" said Helen. "But we
do think it is wonderful of you to
ask us and it would certainly be a
marvellous opportunity for Adele and
Limpy. We could pay our expenses
with the insurance money"
"You pay nothing with that in
surance money! You save that in
surance money for emergencies, as
Adele says. II you come with me,
you come as my own children, and
the Senator pays the bills. And I
will say for the Senator, he's got
money and he's willing to spend it.
He's no begrudger Except
maybe on taxes Well, is it all
settled them"
mot quite settled" said Helen,
smiling. 1--WE haven't decided; there
are SO many things to consider. And
you haven't asked the Senator. You
talk to him about it when you 60
home, and let US know how he feels"
when 60 home! But you're 60
ing with mel"
Helen shook her head. mot I'M
less you stay till the close of the
semester. Limpy's got to finish high
school. That will give the Senator
plenty Of time to decide how he feels
about the idea"
Aunt Olympia gave a derisive
snort. at takes him no time at all
for me to make up my mind" she
said. Urn call him up right now
and settle it."
Aunt Olympia got the Senator on
long-distance call to Washington.
He had been In bed and asleep but
he answered cheerfully enough.
you girls come here" whispered
Aunt Olympia. "You listen for your