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Show THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE. SUNDAY MORNING, JUNE 1 -- 1920. 13, Mr. Severance Encounters the Slings and - Utat -- rrQWg tpon hla horroeomlngw., But now she stood her back to him, and beside her was the doctor who lived next door, tils hand was on her arm and she was shaking her headV-blistening. A queer homesick pang smote George-Hlram- ; he felt as he had once long kgo, when Adam had sat on his mother's knee, usurping his own rightful throne. He also for a moment had the conviction that his mother had no right to havei any man's arm near her exeept her sons. Then George Hiram grew up again, realized that his moth, r was only a year or two past 40 and had w 1th ut of a pecuiiarly Outrageous Fortune nobody and had taken him unto themselves, and, for tha asms reason, hoi po&oi, among whom he made democratic friendships, had pardoned his fashionable affllia-tion- George-Hlram- sorry-- a. sat down beside hla uncle, mentioning the Brahmins who had promised to visit him, passing lightly over his social triumphs, and perhaps emphasizing the praise his professors had given him. His mother hovered proudly in the background, ignored completely by her brother, who resented her manner of acting as if George-Hirabelonged to her. "Yes, yes," said the patriarch, when George-Hiramagreeable voice ceased, knd now for your future. 1 mean you to be a stock broker. Its time you began to think about your future. Cant keep you in college forever, you know. Think about your future. Why J have been thinking of it a little, Ir. George-Hiraanswered. "I thought maybe I'd teach political economy here in Weston college. The head of the depaGeorge-Hlra- m a rtment" .Old Severance uttered a sound that was between a howl and a groan. "Why do you suppose I told you to take ea many political economy coqpses as you could? Why did I make you read the Journal of Commerce? Why did I make you read theVock reports every day? Why did you do all that, I ask you? Because you told me to, sir, said George-Hlramoving hla feet uneasily; but I hadnt the right to anything she wanted. And if she could, even for a moment, forget that he was coming homo anl stand giving the doctor an inning like h that. George-Hiram- ti J MM Severance strode briskly up the shady street leading from the station. Tale and happiness written all over his handsome face. His coubin, Adam Lawrence, kept In step with some difficulty. Adams face wore a welcoming smile as he listened to the cheerful chatter of George Hiram, but Inside he was saying morosely: Some of us will cook your goose for you yet. young fellow. ' If old G. Hiram Severance, the uncle of George-Hlraand Adam, had not been a patriarch, no one would have tried to cook goose. Old Severance young George-Hlram'was not a patriarch of the usual sort. The conventional patriarch .has a halo of ellvery hair and a flowing, dignified beard, serene eyes, a benign forehead, and hospitable knees round which the little children lo e to cluster. while in the background hovers worship-fulli the family of elders of whom the patriarch is the revered and adored head. Old Severance varied from type. If any little children got within cane reach of hui knees, it was because they were congenital Idiots or else strangers in the town of Weston. The nearest approach Weston youngsters made to him was to dent his front door With stones, flung from a safe distance, or. When he had the gout, stand in front of his library windows and make derisive gestures t his bald old head (no silvery halo here), beady to fly when the stern, keen ees glanced upon them. Severance had begun patrtarohing at the age of 24, when his father and stepmother bad died, leaving four little half sisters to be brought up on the ample fortune the young nan had Inherited from his own mother. At the same time his fiancee, a certain Helen Ross, had Jilted him. So G. Hiram brought the little girls up sternly and clolstrally, meaning them not to marry. Tbs natural result was that all four eloped ill advisedly. In a few years death and misfortune had thrown them back on Severance's hands with a brood of gome dozen children. George-HlraI being a posthumous babv, eld Severance had bad him christened, at the age of two days, after himself (using a cracked crockery basin, which was the first Vessel he found, though, as the gaby's mother moaned afterward, he might Just as well have taken the punch bowl). He did not adopt the boy legally, but he showed him sufficient favor to make all the other children and tbeir mothers miserably jealous. Old Severance was malicious enough to enjoy the havoc be wrought. was unaware of it. Toung George-HlrathorHe was a generous, humble-minded- , oughly lovable child, and as be grew up ha kept his beautiful spirit. He knew he was bis uncle's favorite, but he assumed that old Severance would ultimately divide his fortune fairly. Meanwhile he wanted his cousins to like him. The one he could never win was Adam, who was nevertheless careful to show him all fraternal attentions. TOUNG m George-Hlra- ' black-browe- J I name. Ail right, dear. But I want to know, first, if the doctor is d -- Georgie! " Well, of course lie 1e. said George-Hlram- , walking her house ward, his arm about her, but are you spoons on him? For If you are, Im forbidden yo W to sptak to me 7" Hiram's spring overcoat flapped In as he strode along, his big. zestful roving everyw here, his brow n curls stand out from under his hat. Sudeyes came to rest on a figure a full block ahead of him. Adam should have fblt w ell at ease, for George Hiram had come upon the instrument for cooking his goose. George the wind blue eyes trying to denly his Hcl-lo- ! feet spoons on you?4 Wsll, Us your uncls s d H" tI s on the path betrayed him. His mother gave a cry of joy and ran toward him. She embraced him; the doctor waved his hat and disappeared; then soft Mary Severance wept a little and said: "Como, wo mustn't stay here; your uncle will be expecting you, Georgie." Now and then she called her son in a Georgie, whisper tor she hated his dou-- i said George-Hiram- . Look at the way that girl walks! Look at her figure! She must be new to the town since I went away. Say, Adam, 1 believe that is a perfectly good peach! C'me on; let's get closer." For a step or iwo Adam lagged. Then he quickened his pace. "Look at her carriage, will you? Wonder If she's dark Hiram. or fair. Can't see her hair for that veil. O, Adam, pipe her profile! She can have me! Do you know who she la? " She She is a Miss Bray, Adam replied. Is a music teacher, and, I believe, hopes to get borne pupils here. She has been la town only a day or two. Yes, I've met her." Introduce me, quick!" Implored George-Hiram- . e They overtook the girl. Adam lifted his hat rather awkwardly. he said. Good morning. Miss iSVay, This is may 1 present my cousin, Mr. bev erance? " The girl's color had come In a rush. She gave her hand to George Hiram. . George-Hiradug at Adam's ankle with his heel. Why didn't you tell me she had red hair?" the kick meant. For old Severance had brought up his nieces and nephews with the strict under- standing that he was never to see red hair or to hear the name " Helen "; they were to regulate their circle of friends accordingly. had never been disturbed by George-Hirathe restriction, for he did not happen to bo particularly attracted by the Helens and thd red haired girls of Weston. How do you do? said ths red haired girl mechanically. Then she added abruptly to Adam: I I should like to speak to you for a moment. George-Hirapaseed on. his mouth whimsically twisted. Not thus was ho usually treated by ladies to whom be had asked to bo Introduced. The red haiied girl looked at Adam and then turned aside her head. I dont think Ive anything to say to you after all," she said. You might have, you know, Adam replied in a tone that was bitter and gentle, too bitter for himself and gentle for her. You might say that Ive acted like a pretty When you were sick poor sort of fellow. In my town of Royal this spring In my boarding house, you might say, I was kind to you, and we became friends. And when I told you that 1 had already made plans to come to Weston to teach music Well? she questioned, as he paused. I was glad you were coming, Adam said. And now? she persisted. . Helen, I feel toward you exactly as I did, but but I guess I'm not worthy of any girl's trust. Cryptic, aren't you? she eald, tossing her head, her lips quivering. Adam made no rIy. Please don't think I hoped you would help me get music pupilb," Helen went on. But I will I think not. All the same, 1 need them. I'm going to your uncle for help. " My uncle! Good heavens, Helen Why not? she flashed. He's the richest and most Influential man In the whole county. He must be a good man, or he would not have educated all you half orphans. A man like that can't be without sentiment for old times, old loves. If I go to him and trlt him 1 am the daughter of Helen Ross, the girl be loved so long ago She stopped abruptly, transfigured by Adam's struggle for bresth. lie's he's a dreadful old man!" Adam said at last. Don't go near him; he doesn't know what manners are. He he's a fiend!" I don't know that youve given me any especial reason to trust your judgment," Helen said coldly; " Im going." had proceeded Meanwhile, George-Hlrabriskly up the street, calling out occasionally to acquaintances, but not stopping, for he knew that his uncls could tell to a fraction just how much time it would take him to walk from the station homeward. When be reached the back of the ample grounds that Inclosed the Severance house he leaped the fence and made a short cut along a narrow , path that ran beside the kitchen garden. Here he paused abruptly. On the path stood his mother. That was nothing; she always came to meet him along this way willing. Well hes very silly, she said, blushing, and the house is so lonely when you're gone and at the same time so full of people! And if your uncle's new plans fer you are carried out youll be away again but he will speak to you of them. Only, of course, I couldnt dream of marrying Dr. Hale. Your uncle would never forgive me, and it would ruin your prospects. No, dear, I shall not marry again. My child comes first. I've got a sweet nature, said George-Hlratruthfully, bqt I get a little fed up' now and then hearing about how you cant call your soul your own for fear of Injuring my prospects. Bo I'm going right straight to uncle, and I'm going to say, 'Look here, you well meaning but devilish old geezer Hiram, dont! moaned his sense of humor, under her whose mother, brothers bullying, had long retired Into O O! George limbo. Kindly remember," George Hiram admonished, ' that lam almost 23 and Just on the point of earning my own living." O, the confidence of young men who hava never earned a penny! You are very young, Georgie, she sighed. I'm not' young enough to be In love like one I could name, he retorted. His mother blushed and at that moment they rounded the house hnd came upon the patriarch. He was sitting on the front porrh, the morning sun beating on his white, bitter face. He did not rise as George Hiram bounded up the steps, and there was nothing in his greeting to show that for weeks he had been looking forward to his nephews home coming. "Hehl you're back! be said. " Yes, sir; here I am," eald George Hiram, And gladto be here." shaking hands. Well, well, that's as it ought to be. Home's borne, I suppose. Well, go on, why dont you? Tell me' what you've been doing. Tell me about those New York fellows, young Shore and Van Tyne. Going to visit here, aint they? " had never guessed Although George-Hlrait, his uncle was. through him, realizing vicariously a socially ambitious dream. When old Severance bad been at Yale be had not was so been popular. But George-Hiralovable that the young Brahmins of Yale had forgiven him for being " only rich western thought" Youre going to be a stock broker in New York. Dont you like New York? What have you against being a broker? Now, see here, boy, I want you to make a big career for yourself, something you couldnt do teaching. I know a young and strong Jewish firm of brokers in New York who would be glad to take you In. No very old firm, of course, would accept a youngster like you. But these Jews would jump at you because of jour connection with Shore and Van Tyne, through whom you could get the class of clients they want. flushed. " Don't want to use my friends that way," be said. It's because you don't want to that you can, said the patriarch, cynically. How much would you get teaching? " " Eight hundred maybe a thousand. This firm will start you at Humph! twenty five hundred. You go and think It George-Hira- over. The patriarch smiled grimly. Telling George Hiram to think it over merely meant giving him a little hope to run around with. George-Hiram- , like all the nephews and nieces and the four aunts, always did precisely what old Severance ordered. George-Hlragot up, and went into tha house with his mother. Do what he says, Georgie, she whispered; you mustn't annoy him, dear. George Hiram's frown disappeared . Honestly, I don't care much which Job I take, mother, he said. The trouble with me Is that everything comes too easily. Living on eight hundred a year wouldn't, when youve been spending five thousand at Yale, his mother said. But if you take this New York position your uncle will continue your allowance If he does Ill bank It for you, George-Hirastated. Hereafter Im going to live on what I make." The Idea of my baby making anything, she said, with the loving maternal conteippt which a young man finds it so hard to forShall we run upstairs, dearie, and give. see if your room is just as you want It? A quarter of an hour later George Hiram heard hia uncle's voice raised In the loud, strangling tones which advertised that the patriarch was having what his kin called "a tantrum. George Hiram knew by the sounds that this one was particularly fierce, and he ran downstairs, followed by his trembling mother, to help assuage the head of the family. The patriarch stood on the porch, grasping the back of his chair and pointing a tense arm at red haired Helen Bray, who faced him with her head thrown back, her brown eyes unwavering. When George-Hlraand his mother reached the front door she was saying: "Don't yell at me, yen horrid, wicked old man. I am not afraid of you! J'm not ons of your relatione. You're worse! shouted the patriarch. You're a sneaking sentimentalist, coming to me to get influence you haven't earned. A dead beat, thats, what you are, wanting me to get you pupils, not because you know how to teach, but because, for a few weeks, I made a fool of myself over your mother. Get out of my house, and before I'm through Ill drive you out of town." I'm going, the girl said, " not, as I say, because I'm afraid of you, hut because I hate to be near 111 bred boors. My mother Jilted you because you were a boor and a tyrant, and I'm glad she did! And don't you think you can drive roe out of this town. Yeu don't own It all." Bho turned and walked down the steps. George Hiram ahot after her, for, despite her defiant words, he had aeen that her llpa and her hands were trembling. His mother Stretched a detaining arm after him in vain. GeorgrHlram, sir, boomed the patriarch, come back hers! George-Hirawalked on beside Helen. ' "Yea. go beck!" said Helen, In a trembling Can't you hear your master calling voice. you? Co back! Allow mq to escort you to the gate " said t m I cant . tell you how . " Helen paused long, enough to stamp her foot.' ' Can't you see that Go back.1" she said. alone? to he want I helpi know that, said George-Hlramlessly, "but somehow I've got to take you as far as the gate." They walked on a few paces In eilenca and then Helen said: " Miserable old devil! " Old, you know," George-Hlrasaid; " we think of old excuse because, people, have to the bad luck theyre in because theyre not young. " O, yes she Jeered, " I wonder how long youd excuse him if he wasn't rich? U he had no money, that old man would be peeling potatoes in your mothers kitchen, with no one to snap at but the cat. wherdas now he's got twelve cowardly nephews and nieces and four scared to death sisters. George Hiram colored. This red headed Helen certainly had a shrewish tonrue. He made no .answer, calculating, with relief, the few paces that remained between themselves and the front gate. " If I thought she was fi peach a while go, he thought. I take it back. She may be a peach, but she's a pickled one." At the gate Adam appeared. Well, Adam." said Helen, in a nasty tone, "been skulking in the shrubbery! I told you not to go to him, Adam almost " walled. "I told you she said, sadly, "what you o, Adam, didn't tall ms was that you were a coward." You don't understand, said Adam, hurriedly. - Helen evidently wanted to understand, for she turned to George Hiram and. stamping her foot for the second time, she shrilled, "Go away? George-Hirawent, rapidly. As he hurhouse he reflected: the toward ried Gosh, she must be fond of Adam! And gosh! What a temper! I guess uncle was w ell out of It that he didn't marry her mother. He's had a pleasanter time with us bullying us, shed say! Half way down the walk his mother met him. " O, Oeorgle, she whispered; " he's terribly angry! You must go to him at once and I dont know what you'll say, apologize. I'm sure--i " George Hiram stood stock still in the path. He was of a very easy temper. But Helen's remarks had irritated him, and the scene in which she had taken part had made him obscurely ashamed of himself and his family. I won't apologize, he said. "OO, Georgie! she gasped; "think of your prospects! "All right. snarled George-Hlram- . "Im thinking of them. Whats the worst be can do?. Disinherit me, and turn Us both out. Very well; then you can marry Dr. Hale and I'll either take the teaching Job here or the brokerage Job in New York. "O O, Georgie, she moaned, half terrified, half admiring. He caught the note of admiration. Listen here, he said, " unless you marry the doctor, I wont take the brokerage Job. Then uncle will disinherit me, sure! " Georgie! " Isnt It nicer to be bossed by your son than your brother? George-Hiraasked, his good nature restored. " Im going to Jump the doctors wall now and go tell him I accept him as a " O, please George Hiram, don't. O, please go to your uncle and apologize. George-Hlraput his hands on her shoulders and looked stqgdlly in her eyes. " Mother, dear, be said, I've changed this morning toward our esteemed relative and the family life here. Maybe it's because Ive left college and am going on 'ray own. Maybe it'a because I heard a young girl stand up to uncle and tell him Juat what he and tha rest of us are like. Anyhpw, I'm going to act like a man to him now, not like a little boy that must be in the wrong because he's little, and that has to be agreeable and, whan necessary, apologetic. I wont eat any more crow. "O, but, George-Hiram- , hes supported US both for years; he's educated you Yes, and because of all I owe him. I'm going to take the Job he wants me to, and, by Jove! I'm going to make a career, and make money, and give him back before I die all he's ever spent on us! She shook her hsad sadly and lovingly, "O, Georgie, dear, you're so young, and money Is so hard to get. I think youre wonderful, of course only, when you get Into the money making world there'll be so many other wonderful sons of mothers, and theyll have less conscience and kindnesa than you, Georgie, and theyll he the ones to make the money, " Lota of faith youve got In me! " " No; but I think Id rather have you defer to your uncle ' " Crawl, you mean." Defer to your uncle and Inherit tha money he'a come by honestly, than cut people's throats In the business world." " Uncle came by his money honestly!" " Wait till I talk to you cried George-Hlram- . about unearned increment." "Georgie, dear, your uncle la waiting for you to apologize" He can wait. Im going to give Dr. Held my blessing. Then I'm going to behave to uncle as if nothing had happened. Lord, mother, dont you know.Jis's more afraid to, quarrel with me than I am to quarrel wtb j step-fathe- .! .. .. Continued on following page. |