Otherwise Phyllis

circumstance, Mrs. Hastings, Mrs. Fosdick, and Mrs. Waterman were constantly exercised over the affairs of the Holtons. The Holtons prospered, as witness th

pital where he died. Even Samuel's paltry achievements were touched with a certain magnificence in the eyes of these ladies; Samuel had escaped from Montgomery and this was a consummation that had long been the burden of their prayers. The

ne bathroom had long been a summit-crowning achievement, to which the fortunate possessor might point with pride; and as for dedicating a room to music, and planting in it a g

as "a Southern woman," with a charming accent, as every one admitted. The accent was greatly admired. Several young girls sought to soften the vowels of their native Hoosier speech in conformity with the models introduced by Mrs. Holton. The coming of this lady, the zest with which she entered into the social life of the town, the vacillations of certain old friends of the Montgomerys who had taken si

her's estate had long ago been distributed, and Amzi had not troubled himself as to the subsequent fate of the money he had paid to his sisters. They were all blessed with husbands, and if these gentlemen did not

e table. Then panting from his exertion he pulled a cigar from his waistcoat and dry-smoked it. They were unwo

about the party, I supp

ly have, Josie," replie

oing to do w

side reflectively, and too

s what you mean; but as to doing what you wan

the matter thoroughly-to lay down th

e words of the poet, I done it.

lways pulls the wool over your eyes. It's right and proper for us to know just what she said when y

r upon them seriatim. "Phil is far from being a fool, and there's a heart in her as big as t

eir new fall togs. Their zealous attempts to live up to what were to him the absurdest, the most preposterous ideals, struck him just now as pathetic; but he was fond of his sisters. If the course of their lives was inexplicable and their ambitions ridiculous and futile, his good humor never failed in his intercourse with them. But they had not disclos

re are some things we ought to counsel each other about.

is fat shoulders. He was not in the leas

to know all you know abou

Mrs. Hastings, "that she's o

ois was not without its amusing side. They had long ago spurned their sister with bitterness, and his speculatio

y, "that Lois has anything whatever to

. We only want to be sure she's a long way off

of gossip. His sisters had heard something, and while he discounted its value automatically, a

, and they heard in Seattle that Lois has left Holt

. Waterman. "You can't tell me that people

ed that they had come to him to discuss Lois after years of silence. It was as though a great rock planted in t

. If she and Holton got tired of each other, it's their busine

" they

shook their very souls. It was incredible that so dark a thought

Hastings. "Don't even mention such a t

e, and give her veal loaf for Sunday evening tea. By the way, Kate, don't ever turn me loose on any of your v

air. His sisters were vexed by his attempt to relieve the discussion with humor. It was

the judge saw Jack Holton, but you know how the j

uld," said

ring. "You know Minnie doesn't gossip; but as an old friend of our fami

r. What on earth are you going to do; what do you want me

Hastings, with that sweetness with which women of

. Waterman hastened to mention Phil and the responsibility they all felt about her, to justify their curiosity as

you still hear from her. And we feel that the time has come for you to

life of Phil's mother were of the slightest importance to Ph

lurted, "is

with a note of triumph that trumpeted the com

hem nothing of the kind. He experienced the instant regret suffered by secretive persons who watch

She's been over th

d!" exclaimed Mrs. Fosdick in a tone that implied a deep resen

retty dead sure she wouldn't sob about it on the street corners. That wouldn't be a bit like the Lois I remember. Lois wasn't the

the fervid pavements of his kingdom were not to be brought into conversation with any such lightness, as though the going to the Devil were not, after all, so horrible-not something to be whispered with terror in the dark confessional of their souls. One might have imagined that Lois's very s

er everything that's happened; but of course that woul

itted explosively. "

been in Lois's fullest confidence from the first; and darkest of all, it was wholly likely, now that she had broken with Holt

t would only be right. But even if it comes to that we should have to consider Phil, too. When you think of everything, our

in Europe and Phil's starving on our doorsteps, we'd help Phil first because she's right here under o

terman they had learned that Lois's proper receipt was on file; they knew exactly the date on which it had been placed of record in the county clerk's office. They had looked upon this as the final closing of all the doors that shut this sister out of their calculations. They, or their children, were potential beneficiar

hat poor Tom has gradually been playing out; it's pitiful the way he has been letting his business go. Every one knows that he has ability, but he's been living more and

amining a button on her white glove,

c tragedy, and the only other thing he owned, was free also. In this process of "smoking out" their brother it would have helped if they could have pointed to the menace of her father's encumbered property to Phil; but they had already learned more than they had e

ace the possibility that Tom may marry

hand across

r him that I know

sort of woman could do a lot for a man like Tom, with all that he has suffered." Thi

r. We never could allow that; we should have to

thed hard for a minute. He took the unlighte

s all of a sudden. It just happens that I know she ain't hungry, and that she's over there living like a respectable woman. Lois isn't like the rest of us; Lois is

her!" the

r and put her on the train for New York, and she sailed the day she got there; so now, if you're sc

of his recent deliverances caused him to cough, and the coughing brought

o our family and got the worst of it. It wasn't a particularly cheerful business, the way it came out. If he's fo

with dignity. "As you say, it's Tom's trouble. And of course w

s put together. Phil's an honor to the family; she's the best girl in this town and the best girl in the whole state of Indiana, or the United

in Chicago, though their minds were beset with a thousand questions they wished to ask him about it. They realized that to do so would be a blunder. They h

r us-our own houses are small." (This with resignation.) "And it doesn't seem quite nice for us to have it in the Masonic Hall, though some of the nicest people

at party and you can get whatever Phil needs and do it right; you understan

itations, which will go out in your name, sh

inned g

's a man, woman, baby, or yellow dog in this tow

Amzi," said Mrs. Waterm

der!

be representative-that old dif

o find refuge in his absurd fringe of pale-gold h

h it has been. William isn't like Jack-you know that; and when he brough

small to carry on a feud comfortably. We all stopped speaking to the Holtons after po

r. and Mrs. Willia

he reduced the matter to words, that he was about to

am is really one of the wide-awake business men of the town, and in all sorts of things; and Paul has to keep him on the executive committee of th

d, "Mr. Holton retained A

Street and I was one of the defendants." And then he added, with calcula

ion had been an unfortunate slip on Mrs

illiam Holton, president of the First National Bank, was a business rival, and Amzi never abused his competitors. Having satisfied his curiosity as to the ceiling, he annou

rlie is doing very well, they say-quite a brilliant young man; and Ethel is very sweet and well-bred. She went to Miss Waring's school in Indianapol

talking about? What's the

I guess he didn't do well. He's on the old farm next your place. I guess Ethel and Charlie can represent

hink. You fix it up

the results of the visit. Amzi eyed their autumnal splendors

e observed pensively. "What's

thetic," exclaimed Mrs. Hastings, veiling a sharp glance at him. The three wome

cordial emphasis. "A fine woman. An

nto his coat pockets and f

he had expressed his admiration for Rose had been gratifying and satisfyi