Hungry Horse news and Columbian. [volume] (Columbia Falls, Mont.) 1946-1948, 1947-09-26
CHAPTER X

OHAF En- \
That afternoon the househol,
: had a caller.
+. Georgine saw him through ;
square of bilious green glass tina
made him look like something hons
I drowned: a shapeless elderly MAJ
stamping deliberately up the walk
his crumpled felt hat set squarely
on his head, his top chin tucked
; down into the folds. of skin which
had once been other skins.
A car stood at the curb, but he
hadn't been driving himself, be.
cause there was a woman behind
the wheel.
Mrs. Peabody appeared from the
rear of the house, and flung open
the door. "Why, it's the Judge
she cried brightly.
"That? The Judge?" said Georg-
inc in a shocked whisper.
"He looks awfully funny
through the purple one," Barby
added, far too loudly. An I'M
gentle hand was placed on her
lips, and her mother removed her.
"Nell," said the Judge by way of
greeting, reaching the top step,
who's at homer"
"Only myself and my guests,
Uncle Theron"
Georgine attempted to get up
stairs, but the Judge saw her
through the open door. who's
that, Nell?" he said in a loud voice.
'My guest" Nella's chin went up
a trifle.
The untidy gray head made a
peremptory gesture. Nella came to
the door. "Would you come in for
moment, Mrs. Wyeth?" she said
in a remote tone; somehow it in
Dictated that Georgine would be
doing her a favor by complying.
"And may l present Judge Till
Sit?"
The old man sat heavily in the
buttoned red plush chair. Georg-
ines eyebrows went up as she saw
that he made no effort to rise.
+ She gave him brisk nod and
sat down beside Mrs. Peabody,
thinking: He came here just to
look us over. 1 wish Todd would get
here and take his share!
"Mrs. Wyeth," the Judge said,
pursuing his mouth, IT hear you and
your friend are strangers in
town."
"We are" She just saved herself
from adding, "Your Majesty" in
an acid tone.
Staying long?"
"a day Or so more, ! think. Mrs.
Peabody was so very kind as to
take us in"
"Still got that bug about tour
list home, have you?" the Judge
said to Nella, with a sort of horrid
geniality. IT told you no good 'ud
come of it. Never know what
you're letting yourself in for"
"Uncle Theron! Really"
He settled back, and the shroud-
ed eyes went cold and appraising.
"You know Nell very long?'
"Uncle Theron" Nella was say
ing with considerable dignity,
'you don't know how much Mrs.
Wyeth and Mr.. McKinnon have
done for me, just by being here"
The stain of pink spread in her
cheeks. "You know everything that
goes on, you must have been aware
If what wicked rumors were going
around, but you'd never talk to
ne about them; you'd never let
anyone else give me the satisfac-
ion of an honest discussion, so
hat l could fight-so that l could
ind out who started"
Nell, you're a damn fool Wo-
nan, and always Were," said the
Judge loudly and with dreadful
He swung his fat !
,ody around in the red plush arm
hair. you're talking nonsense; s
'ou got some bee in your bonnet a
ouple years ago, and If anyone's s
.eeping scandal alive it's you. I'm
orry for you, you got yourself
added with a worthless-don't '
interrupt me!-with Gilbert Pea {
ody. I've been sorry enough for
on to keep you in food since he S
eft you, and this is how you re- r
ay me-" He ended with fine ]
Glowing flourish, glaring her c
own.
Nella put out hand to Georg-
lie, who was trying to rise and a
ave the room; she took a brief
,ok at her as if to gain courage. n
think you're repaid, Judge Till o
t." Nella said, cor the family is. S
ou've put your grandchildren IN t.
ere to live, almost free, and treat
e as if they were doing a favor to Fl
poor relation. You keep speaking il
this as your sisters house, but n
s not hers any more, nor yours. h
his is my husbands house, and W
m its mistress, and if you persist b.
making scenes in front of my tt
tests, Pll-Pll have to ask you to
ave." T
The old man drew in his breath re
it'll rafting gasp; the f1abby kl
lnds clawed at the chair-arms,
I'd then went up to tear at his VI
liar. His eyes rolled up in his d.
ad; the shapeless body slumped is